0001493152-24-006221.txt : 20240213 0001493152-24-006221.hdr.sgml : 20240213 20240213172451 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001493152-24-006221 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K12B PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 15 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20240211 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20240213 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20240213 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SharpLink Gaming, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001981535 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372] ORGANIZATION NAME: 06 Technology IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K12B SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-41962 FILM NUMBER: 24630165 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 333 WASHINGTON AVE. NORTH STREET 2: SUITE 104 CITY: MINNEAPOLIS STATE: MN ZIP: 55401 BUSINESS PHONE: (612) 293-0619 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 333 WASHINGTON AVE. NORTH STREET 2: SUITE 104 CITY: MINNEAPOLIS STATE: MN ZIP: 55401 8-K12B 1 form8-k12b.htm

 

 

 

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 1934

 

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): February 11, 2024

 

SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Delaware   N/A   87-4752260

(State of

Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

333 Washington Avenue North, Suite 104

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

612-293-0619

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

(Former Name or Former Address, is 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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock   SBET   The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

 

On February 13, 2024, SharpLink Gaming, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (“SharpLink US” or the “Company”) completed its domestication merger (“Domestication Merger”), pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Domestication Merger Agreement”), dated June 14, 2023 and amended July 24, 2023, among SharpLink Gaming, Ltd. an Israeli limited liability company which wholly owned SharpLink US (“SharpLink Israel”), SharpLink Merger Sub Ltd., an Israeli company and a wholly owned subsidiary of SharpLink US (“Domestication Merger Sub”) and SharpLink US. The Domestication Merger was achieved through a merger of SharpLink Merger Sub with and into SharpLink Israel, with SharpLink Israel surviving the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of SharpLink US. The Domestication Merger was approved by the shareholders of SharpLink Israel at an extraordinary special meeting of shareholders held on December 6, 2023. The Domestication Merger Agreement was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-272655) for SharpLink US, which was declared effective by the SEC on October 23, 2023.

 

Prior to the Domestication Merger, ordinary shares of SharpLink Israel, par value NIS 0.60 per share (“Ordinary Shares”), were registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SBET.” As a result of the Domestication Merger, SharpLink Israel, SharpLink US, and SharpLink Merger Sub entered into the Domestication Merger Agreement pursuant to which all SharpLink Israel Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Merger will automatically convert, on a one-for-one basis, into the right to receive, and become exchangeable for, shares of SharpLink US common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) and all preferred shares, options, and warrants of SharpLink Israel outstanding immediately prior to the Domestication Merger will be converted into or exchanged for equivalent securities of SharpLink US on a one-for-one basis.

 

As of the close of business on February 12, 2024, SharpLink Israel had 3,130,401 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding. In connection with the Domestication Merger, SharpLink Israel obtained a tax ruling from the Israel Tax Authorities exempting shareholders who are part of the “interested public” (as such term is defined in the ruling) from tax withholding under Israeli law in connection with the exchanges of shares. For more information concerning the tax ruling and the Israeli tax treatment of shareholders that are not covered by the tax ruling, see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by SharpLink Israel with the SEC on February 2, 2024.

 

This report is being filed for the purpose of establishing SharpLink US as the successor issuer pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act, the Common Stock of SharpLink US, as successor issuer, are deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. SharpLink US’s Common Stock will commence trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SBET,” the same symbol under which the Ordinary Shares of SharpLink Israel previously traded, on February 14, 2024. The new CUSIP number for SharpLink US’s Common Stock is 820014108.

 

SharpLink US is authorized to issue up to 115 million shares (the “Securities”) divided into two classes consisting of: (i) 100 million shares of Common Stock; and (ii) 15 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”). Among the Preferred Stock, SharpLink US has designated 260,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock and 370,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The Securities of SharpLink US may be issued from time to time at the discretion of its Board of Directors without shareholder approval. SharpLink US is authorized to issue these shares, insofar as is permitted by law, to redeem or purchase any of its Securities and to increase or reduce such capital and to issue all or any part of its capital (whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced) with or without preference, priority or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights, or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever.

 

The foregoing description of the Domestication Merger Agreement, as amended, and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Domestication Merger Agreement and its amendment, which were filed as Exhibit 2.1 to SharpLink Israel’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2023 and Exhibit 2.1 to SharpLink Israel’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on September 22, 2023, respectively.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.03 MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

As a result of the completion of the Domestication Merger, the rights of SharpLink Israel shareholders of Common Stock will be governed by the SharpLink US’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and applicable Delaware law (“DGCL”). While there will be substantial similarities between their rights after the Domestication Merger and their rights as SharpLink Israel shareholders prior to the Domestication Merger, there will be some differences.

 

The following discussion is a summary of material changes in the shareholder rights resulting from the Domestication Merger but does not cover all the differences between the Israeli Companies Law and DGCL affecting corporations and their shareholders or all the differences between SharpLink US’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and SharpLink Israel’s Memorandum of Association and Articles (the “Articles”). Please read the complete text of the relevant provisions of the Israeli Companies Law, the DGCL, SharpLink US’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and SharpLink Israel’s Articles. SharpLink US’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.4. As the rights, preferences and restrictions attached and applicable to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock under SharpLink US’s Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock are similar to the rights, preferences and restrictions attached and applicable to the Series A-1 Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares under SharpLink Israel’s Articles, the following summary does not provide a detailed description and comparison of such rights.

 

    SharpLink US Stockholder Rights   SharpLink Israel Shareholder Rights
         
Authorized Capital Stock/Share Capital  

SharpLink US will be authorized to issue up to 115 million shares, divided into two classes consisting of: (i) 100 million shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and (ii) 15 million shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

SharpLink US’s Board of Directors will be authorized to issue additional preferred stock in one or more series, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock.

 

The number of authorized common stock or preferred stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the capital stock of entitled to vote, without a separate class vote.

 

The authorized share capital of SharpLink Israel consists of: (i) 9,290,000 Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.60 per share and (ii) 710,000 preferred shares, par value NIS 60 per share, of which 80,000 preferred shares are designated as Series A Preferred Shares, 260,000 Preferred Shares are designated as Series A-1 Preferred Shares, and 370,000 Preferred Shares are designated as Series B Preferred Shares.

 

SharpLink Israel may, from time to time, alter its authorized share capital via a shareholders’ resolution adopted by a majority of 75% of the votes cast at a shareholders’ meeting, excluding abstentions. Such alterations include an increase to its authorized share capital and the number of shares it is authorized to issue, creation of new classes of shares and a consolidation or subdivision of shares. Subject to applicable law, SharpLink Israel may, from time to time, via or pursuant to authorization provided by a shareholders’ resolution with a 75% majority, reduce its outstanding but unissued share capital.

 

 

 

 

Voting Rights  

Each share of common stock outstanding shall be entitled to one vote on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. However, except as required by law, holders of common stock will not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such class or series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL.

 

Holders of preferred stock shall be entitled only to such voting rights as are expressly granted in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or a certificate of designations.

 

The Bylaws provide that, except as required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or the rules of any stock exchange upon which shares of SharpLink US’s capital stock are listed, all corporate actions to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon who are present in person or represented by proxy, and where a separate vote by class or series is required, a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders of such class or series who are present in person or represented by proxy shall be the act of such class or series; provided that the election of directors shall be determined by the vote of a plurality (as discussed below).

 

Every holder of Ordinary Shares has one vote for each share held of record, on every resolution. The Preferred A-1 Shares are entitled to vote, but with respect to any shareholder only up to the number of votes equal to the number of Ordinary Shares into which the Preferred A-1 Shares would be convertible in accordance with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Preferred B Shares do not have voting rights.

 

Any shareholder entitled to vote may vote either in person or by proxy, or if the shareholder is a company or other corporate body, by representative duly authorized by it.

 

Except as required by the Israeli Companies Law or Articles, a resolution of the shareholders is adopted if approved by the holders of a simple majority of the voting power represented at a shareholder meeting in person or by proxy and voting thereon, as one class, and disregarding abstentions from the count of the voting power present and voting.

         
Quorum  

The Bylaws will provide that, unless required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, at any meeting of SharpLink US’s stockholders, 33 1/3 % of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person, by remote communication, if applicable or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws will provide unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with respect to questions related to indemnification arising under Section 45 of the Bylaws for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting.

 

Two or more holders of Ordinary Shares, on an as-converted basis, subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, holding in the aggregate more than 33 1/3% of the voting rights of SharpLink Israel constitutes a quorum at shareholder meetings.

 

If within half an hour from the time appointed for the shareholder meeting a quorum is not present, the shareholder meeting shall, if convened upon requisition under Section 64 of the Israeli Companies Law, be dissolved, but in any other case it shall stand adjourned on the same day, in the next week, at the same time and place. The requisite quorum at an adjourned shareholder meeting shall be any two or more shareholders (on an as-converted basis, subject further to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation), present in person or by proxy. At an adjourned shareholder meeting the only business to be considered shall be those matters which might have been lawfully considered at the shareholder meeting originally called if a requisite quorum had been present, and the only resolutions to be adopted are such types of resolutions which could have been adopted at the shareholder meeting originally called.

 

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions   Under the DGCL, dividends may be declared by a Board of Directors, subject to any restrictions in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, and paid out of the corporation’s surplus or, if no surplus is available, out of any net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and for the preceding fiscal year, or both, provided that such payment out of net profits would not reduce capital below the amount of capital represented by all classes of outstanding stock having a preference as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation of a corporation.   According to the Israeli Companies Law, a company may make “distributions” (a term that includes the distribution of dividends and share repurchase) only out of its “profits,” as such term is defined in the Israeli Companies Law. The Board of Directors of SharpLink Israel is authorized to declare dividends, provided that there is no reasonable concern that payment of the dividend will prevent SharpLink Israel from satisfying its existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends may be paid with the approval of a court, provided that there is no reasonable concern that payment of the dividend will prevent SharpLink Israel from satisfying its existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Profits, for purposes of the Israeli Companies Law, means the greater of retained earnings or earnings accumulated during the preceding two years, after deduction of previous distributions that were not already deducted from the retained earnings, as evidenced by financial statements as of a date that is no more than six months prior to the date of distribution.

 

 

 

 

Anti-Takeover Effects  

In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested” stockholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the transaction by which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes certain mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to exceptions, an “interested” stockholder is a person who, alone or together with his affiliates and associates, owns 15 percent or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not opt out of this provision.

 

The Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would hold 25% or more of the voting rights in the company. This rule does not apply if there is already another holder of 25% or more of the voting rights in the company. Similarly, the Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would hold greater than 45% of the voting rights in the company, unless there is another shareholder holding more than 45% of the voting rights in the company. These requirements do not apply if, in general, the acquisition: (1) was made in a private placement that received shareholder approval as a private placement and was meant to grant the purchaser 25% or more of the voting rights of a company in which no other shareholder holds 25% or more of the voting rights, or to grant the purchaser more than 45% of the voting rights of a company in which no other shareholder holds more than 45% of the voting rights, (2) was from a holder of 25% or more of the voting rights in the company which resulted in the acquiror holding 25% or of the voting rights in the company, or (3) was from a shareholder holding more than 45% of the voting rights in the company which resulted in the acquiror becoming a holder of more than 45% voting rights in the company. These anti-takeover limitations do not apply to a purchase of shares by way of a private placement in certain circumstances provided under the Israeli Companies Law.

 

If, as a result of an acquisition of shares, the acquiror will hold more than 90% of a company’s outstanding shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares, or a full tender offer. A full tender offer is accepted if either: (i) holders of less than 5% of the outstanding shares do not accept the tender offer and more than half of the offerees who do not have a personal interest in accepting the tender offer accepted it, or (ii) holders of less than 2% of the outstanding shares do not accept the tender offer. If the full tender offer is not accepted, then the acquiror may not acquire shares in the tender offer that will cause his shareholding to exceed 90% of the outstanding shares. See below under “Dissenters’ or Appraisal Rights” for additional information on rights in connection with a full tender offer.

 

 

 

 

Approval of M&A Transactions  

The DGCL generally requires that a merger and consolidation, or sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of a corporation’s assets be approved by the Board of Directors and by the stockholders in a simple majority.

 

Under the DGCL, unless required by its certificate of incorporation, a surviving corporation need not obtain stockholder approval for a merger if:

 

● each share of the surviving corporation’s stock outstanding prior to the merger remains outstanding in identical form after the merger;

 

● such merger agreement does not amend in any respect the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation; and

 

● either no shares of common stock of the surviving corporation are to be issued or delivered in the merger or, if common stock will be issued or delivered, the number of shares of common stock issued will not exceed 20% of the shares of common stock outstanding prior to the merger.

 

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not specifically require this provision.

 

The Israeli Companies Law permits merger transactions with the approval of each party’s Board of Directors and generally requires shareholder approval of each party as well. A merger with a wholly owned subsidiary does not require approval of the target company’s shareholders. A merger does not require approval of the surviving company’s shareholders if: (i) the merger does not require the adoption of amendments to the surviving company’s Memorandum of Association or Articles and (ii) the surviving company does not issue more than 20% of its voting power in connection with the merger and as a result of the issuance no shareholder would become a controlling shareholder (for this purpose any securities convertible into shares of the surviving company that such person holds or that are issued to him in the course of the merger are deemed to have been converted or exercised). Shareholder approval of the surviving company would nevertheless be required if the other party to the merger, or a person holding more than 25% of the outstanding voting shares or means of appointing the Board of Directors of the other party to the merger, holds any shares of the surviving company. The Israeli Companies Law provides that in determining whether the required majority has approved the merger, shares held by the other party to the merger, any person holding at least 25% of the outstanding voting shares or means of appointing the Board of Directors of the other party to the merger, or the relatives or companies controlled by these persons, are excluded from the vote. The Articles provide that a merger may be approved at a shareholders meeting by a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and voting on that resolution.

 

Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties of the merger. In addition, a merger can be completed only after all approvals have been submitted to the Israeli Registrar of Companies, or the Registrar, and 30 days have passed from the time that shareholder resolutions were adopted in each of the merging companies and 50 days have passed from the time that a proposal for approval of the merger was filed with the Registrar.

 

 

 

 

Rights of Preferred Stock   The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will expressly authorize SharpLink US’s Board of Directors, by resolution or resolutions, to designate, out of the unissued shares of preferred stock, new classes and series of preferred stock. SharpLink US’s Board of Directors may fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series and the powers (including voting, if any), preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series.   As noted above, SharpLink Israel’s authorized capital includes several classes of preferred shares. SharpLink Israel may, from time to time, by a shareholders’ resolution, change the rights, preferences and restrictions attached to preferred shares. The Articles provide that certain changes in the rights of holders of preferred shares require the approval of the holders of such preferred shares; provided, however, that the creation of additional shares of a specific class, or the issuance of additional shares of a specific class, shall not be deemed a modification or abrogation of rights attached to shares of such class or of any other class.
         
Number of Directors   The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will provide that the number of directors shall be determined by SharpLink US’s Board of Directors from time to time.   SharpLink Israel’s Articles provide that the number of directors of SharpLink Israel (including external directors – to the extent external directors are required to be elected under applicable law or should SharpLink Israel elect to have external directors serve on the Board of Directors of SharpLink Israel) shall be determined from time to time by the annual general meeting, provided that it is no less than four and no more than nine.
         
Director Independence   The DGCL does not impose any specific requirement regarding the independence of directors. SharpLink US will be required by the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, or other securities exchange on which SharpLink US’s securities may trade in the future, to have a majority of directors who qualify as “independent” as defined under the Nasdaq Listing Rules.   SharpLink Israel’s Articles provide that unless otherwise prescribed by a resolution adopted at a shareholders meeting, the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than 4 nor more than 12 directors (including the outside directors appointed as required under the Israeli Companies Law).
         
Election of Directors  

The Bylaws will provide that directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast with respect to that director-nominee’s election at a meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present.

 

The election of directors need not be by written ballot. No decrease in the number of directors constituting SharpLink US’s Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

Nominees for director (whether recommended by the Board of Directors or by a shareholder) are elected by a resolution adopted by a simple majority of the voting power present (in person or by proxy, but excluding abstentions) and voting on a resolution electing them at a shareholder meeting at which a quorum is present.

 

Ordinary directors (other than outside directors) are elected at annual general meetings of shareholders a term expiring at the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until their replacement is duly elected, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

 

 

 

        Outside directors are elected for an initial three-year term, and may be reelected for two additional terms of three years each under certain circumstances. Outside directors of Israeli companies listed only on certain foreign exchanges (including Nasdaq) may be reelected for an unlimited number of additional terms of three years each, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. The election of outside directors requires that (i) at least a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders and shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the resolution (excluding a personal interest that is not related to a relationship with the controlling shareholders) are voted in favor of the election of the outside director, or (ii) the total number of shares voted against the election of the outside director by shareholders referenced under (i) does not exceed 2% of the outstanding voting power in the company.
         
Appointment of Directors by the Board   The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, any vacancy occurring on SharpLink US’s Board of Directors, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors, shall only be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office, even though fewer than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.   SharpLink Israel’s Articles provide that the Board of Directors, by unanimous approval of all directors then in office, may at any time appoint any person to serve as director as replacement for a vacated office or in order to increase the number of directors, subject to the condition that the number of directors shall not exceed the maximum established in the Articles. Any so appointed director shall remain in office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, at which he may be reelected.
         
Cumulative Voting   The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting.   SharpLink Israel’s Articles do not provide for cumulative voting.

 

 

 

 

Removal of Directors   The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in accordance with Section 141(k) of the DGCL, provides for the removal of directors by stockholders with or without cause. Any director may be removed by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.   Under the Articles, the office of a director shall be vacated and the director shall be dismissed or removed upon his death, if declared bankrupt or incapacitated, on the date stipulated therefor in the resolution of his election, upon his resignation, removal by the general meeting, in accordance with a court decision as provided by the Israeli Companies Law or if convicted of an offense of a nature which disqualifies a person from service as a director as set forth in the Israeli Companies Law.
         
Shareholder Proposals  

The Bylaws will provide that as to the notice of stockholder proposals of business to be brought at the annual meeting of stockholders, notice must be delivered to SharpLink US’s secretary (i) not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting or (ii) if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting or with respect to the first annual meeting held after the Domestication Merger, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not more than 120 days nor less than 90 days prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if less than 120 days’ notice is given of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by SharpLink US.

 

The Bylaws will provide that such stockholder notice shall set forth, among other things,

 

(i) the name and address of each stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (each, a “Proponent” and collectively, the “Proponents”), as they appear on the corporation’s books;

 

(ii) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each Proponent;

 

(iii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether oral or in writing) with respect to such nomination or proposal between or among any Proponent and any of its affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert, or otherwise under the agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any of the foregoing;

 

Any shareholder holding at least 1% of the voting rights of SharpLink Israel (“Proposing Shareholder”) may request, subject to the Israeli Companies Law, that the Board of Directors include a matter on the agenda of a general meeting to be held in the future, provided that the board determines that the matter is appropriate to be considered at a general meeting (a “Proposal Request”).

 

Under Israeli Companies Law regulations, the Proposal Request must be submitted within 3 days or 7 days after the notice of the shareholder meeting is published by SharpLink Israel.(depending on the agenda items included in the notice for the meeting).The Board of Directors must publish a revised notice for the shareholder meeting that includes the agenda item included in the Proposal Request (assuming the above requirements are met by the Proposing Shareholder) within 7 days after the final day on which the Proposal Request may be submitted. In lieu of the foregoing timeline, SharpLink Israel can instead publish a preliminary notice of an upcoming shareholder meeting with tentative, prospective agenda items, in which case a Proposing Shareholder will have 14 days thereafter to submit a Proposal Request to SharpLink Israel.

 

 

 

 

   

(iv) a representation that the Proponents are holders of record or beneficial owners, as the case may be, of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice or to propose the business that is specified in the notice;

 

(v) a representation as to whether the Proponents intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees or to carry such proposal;

 

(vi) to the extent known by any Proponent, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal on the date of such stockholder’s notice; and

 

(vii) a description of all Derivative Transactions (as defined below) by each Proponent during the previous 12 month period, including the date of the transactions and the class, series and number of securities involved in, and the material economic terms of, such Derivative Transactions. “Derivative Transaction” means any agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding entered into by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Proponent or any of its affiliates or associates, whether record or beneficial: (a) the value of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the corporation; (b) which otherwise provides any direct or indirect opportunity to gain or share in any gain derived from a change in the value of securities of the corporation; (c) the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit of security value or price changes; or (d) which provides the right to vote or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proponent, or any of its affiliates or associates, with respect to any securities of the corporation, which agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding may include, without limitation, any option, warrant, debt position, note, bond, convertible security, swap, stock appreciation right, short position, profit interest, hedge, right to dividends, voting agreement, performance-related fee or arrangement to borrow or lend shares (whether or not subject to payment, settlement, exercise or conversion in any such class or series), and any proportionate interest of such Proponent in the securities of the corporation held by any general or limited partnership, or any limited liability company, of which such Proponent is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

   

 

 

 

 

Director Nominations by Shareholders  

In the case of nominations for election at an annual meeting, notice must be delivered in the same manner under “Shareholder Proposals” above.

 

Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth the information required in under “Shareholder Proposals” above.

  The required timing for submission of nomination of an Alternate Nominee by a Proposing Shareholder, and SharpLink Israel’s required response, matches what is described under “Shareholder Proposals” above. In addition, the Articles provide that except with regard to a director whose tenure of office expires upon the convening of a general meeting or a person recommended by the Board of Directors to serve as director, no motions for appointment of a candidate as a director shall be made unless a notice in writing signed by a shareholder of SharpLink Israel (other than the candidate himself) who is entitled to participate in and vote at the meeting, stating the intent of the said shareholder to propose a candidate for election to the office of director, together with a document in writing by the candidate expressing his consent to be so elected, shall have been received at the office of SharpLink Israel within a period of not less than 48 hours and not more than 42 days before the appointed date of the general meeting.
         
Shareholder Action by Written Consent   The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not prohibit action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.   The Israeli Companies Law does not allow action of shareholders of a public company by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
         
Amendments to Governing Documents  

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will provide that SharpLink US reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by statute or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and all rights conferred to SharpLink US stockholders in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation are granted subject to this reservation.

 

Pursuant to Section 242(b) of the DGCL, to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, SharpLink US’s Board of Directors must adopt a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment, declaring its advisability and either calling a special meeting of the stockholders or directing that the amendment proposed be considered at the next annual meeting of the stockholders.

 

Under the Israeli Companies Law, the articles of association set forth substantially all of the provisions that under Delaware law are split between the charter and the bylaws of a company. Under the Israeli Companies Law, a company may amend its articles of association by a resolution adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by the majority of the voting power present and voting on the resolution, excluding abstentions (provided a proper quorum is present), unless explicitly stated otherwise under the articles of association. The Articles provide that certain alterations of SharpLink’s Israel’s share capital will require such majority as shall be required to amend the Memorandum of Association, if such majority is higher.

 

 

 

 

 

   

At the meeting, the affirmative vote of the requisite percentage of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon called for by statute or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, plus, if the amendment adversely affects the powers, rights or preferences of any class of shares, the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of the voting power of such outstanding stock of such class, is required to adopt the amendment.

 

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws will provide that the Bylaws may be adopted, repealed, altered or amended by an affirmative vote of a majority of SharpLink US’s Board of Directors. The stockholders may not adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws, or adopt any provision inconsistent therewith, unless such action is approved, in addition to any other vote required by the Certificate of Incorporation, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of SharpLink US entitled to vote thereon.

  SharpLink Israel, which was incorporated prior to the enactment of the Israeli Companies Law, also has a Memorandum of Association, which includes a company’s name, purposes and authorized share capital. The Memorandum of Association may be revised as prescribed under the Israeli Companies Law, which provides, among other things, that a change in the name and share capital of a company included in its Memorandum of Association requires a majority of 75% of the votes cast at a shareholders’ meeting, excluding abstentions.
         
Special Meetings of Shareholders   The Bylaws will provide that special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by SharpLink US’s Board of Directors, the chairperson of SharpLink US’s Board of Directors, the chief executive officer of SharpLink US, or the president of SharpLink US (in the absence of a chief executive officer), and may not be called by any other person or persons.   Under the Israeli Companies Law, special/extraordinary general meetings of shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors at any time and shall be called at the request of (a) two directors, (b) one-quarter of the directors in office, (c) shareholder(s) holding at least 5% of the issued share capital of SharpLink Israel and at least 1% of SharpLink Israel’s voting rights, or (d) shareholder(s) holding at least 5% of SharpLink Israel’s voting rights.

 

 

 

 

Notice of Meetings of Shareholders   The Bylaws will provide that notice of the place, day and time, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose for which the meeting is called, shall be given to the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. In addition, notice may be given in any manner permitted by the DGCL.   Under the Israeli Companies Law regulations to which SharpLink Israel is subject as a public company, notice of an annual or special shareholder meeting must be provided at least 21 days or 35 days (depending on the agenda items for the meeting) prior to the date of the meeting and at least two days or five days (depending on the agenda items) prior to the record date.
         
Proxies   The Bylaws will provide that a stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy.   SharpLink Israel’s Articles provide that a shareholder may vote in person or by proxy.
         
Concurrent Office of Chairman and CEO   The DGCL does not restrict the concurrent holding of the office of chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer.   The concurrent office of chairperson of the Board of Directors and a chief executive officer requires approval by a special majority of the shareholders, for periods of up to three years each.
         
Limitation of Personal Liability of Directors/Officers  

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to the full extent permitted by the DGCL, will limit or eliminate the liability of SharpLink US directors and senior officers made a party to any proceeding (other than any action or suit by or in the right of SharpLink US to procure a judgment in its favor) to SharpLink US or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or senior officer.

 

Under the DGCL, no such elimination of liability is permitted (i) for any breach of the director or senior officer’s duty of loyalty to SharpLink US or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payments of dividend or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director or senior officer derived an improper personal benefit or (v) any or omission occurring before the effective date of the provision limiting the director or senior officer’s liability in the Certificate of Incorporation.

  The Israeli Companies Law provides that an office holder’s (that is, an executive officer’s or director’s) fiduciary duties consist of a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. A company may not exempt an office holder from liability for a breach of the duty of loyalty. An Israeli company may exempt an office holder in advance from liability to the company, in whole or in part, for damages caused to the company as a result of a breach of duty of care but only if a provision authorizing such exemption is included in its articles of association. SharpLink Israel’s Articles include such a provision. A company may not exempt in advance a director from liability arising out of a prohibited dividend or distribution to shareholders.

 

 

 

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers  

The DGCL allows a corporation to indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

The Bylaws will provide that SharpLink US shall indemnify (and provide advancement of expenses to) any person who is or was a director or officer of SharpLink US or any person who is or was a director or officer of SharpLink US and who is or was serving at the request of SharpLink US as a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another entity, to the full extent permitted by the DGCL.

 

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a company may indemnify an office holder in respect of the following liabilities and expenses incurred for acts performed by him or her as an office holder, either pursuant to an undertaking made in advance of an event or following an event, provided its articles of association include a provision authorizing such indemnification:

 

● monetary liability imposed on him in favor of a third party by a judgment, including a settlement or a decision of an arbitrator which is given the force of a judgment by court order, provided that if an undertaking to indemnify is provided in advance, the undertaking to indemnify is limited to the classes of events which in the opinion of the Board can be anticipated in light of the company’s activities at the time of giving the indemnification undertaking, and for an amount and/or criteria which the Board of Directors has determined are reasonable in the circumstances and, the events and the amounts or criteria that the Board of Directors deem reasonable in the circumstances at the time of giving of the undertaking are stated in the undertaking.

 

● reasonable litigation expenses, including legal fees, incurred by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against such office holder by a competent authority, which investigation or proceeding has ended without the filing of an indictment or in the imposition of financial liability in lieu of a criminal proceeding, or has ended in the imposition of a financial obligation in lieu of a criminal proceeding for an offence that does not require proof of criminal intent (the phrases “proceeding that has ended without the filing of an indictment” and “financial obligation in lieu of a criminal proceeding” shall have the meanings ascribed to such phrases in Section 260(a)(1a) of the Israeli Companies Law) or in connection with an administrative enforcement proceeding or a financial sanction.

 

● reasonable litigation expenses, including legal fees, which the office holder has incurred or is obliged to pay by the court in proceedings commenced against him by the company or in its name or by any other person, or pursuant to criminal charges of which he is acquitted or criminal charges pursuant to which he is convicted of an offence which does not require proof of criminal intent.

 

 

 

 

       

SharpLink Israel’s Articles authorize such indemnification and include certain additional expenses that can be indemnified by SharpLink Israel as permitted under Israeli law.

 

Pursuant to the Israeli Companies Law, indemnification of, exemption of and procurement of insurance coverage for, office holders in a public company that are not directors must be approved by the compensation committee, the Board of Directors and, if the office holder is a director, the chief executive officer or a controlling shareholder or his relative, also by the company’s shareholders. The approval of the company’s shareholders is required to meet certain special majority requirements depending on the circumstances (including with respect to the chief executive officer and controlling shareholder)

         
Conflict of Interest; Interested Party Transactions; Duties of Shareholders  

Under the DGCL, no contract or transaction between SharpLink US and one or more of its directors or officers, or between SharpLink US and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely because of such relationship or interest, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee of the Board of Directors that authorizes the contract or transaction or solely because the director’s or officer’s vote was counted for such purpose, if:

 

● the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum;

 

The Israeli Companies Law requires that an office holder and a controlling shareholder of a public company promptly disclose any “personal interest” that he or she may have and all related material information known to him or her, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction of the company. Interested party transactions must be for the benefit of the company.

 

In the case of a transaction with an office holder or with another person in which an office holder has a “personal interest” which is not an extraordinary transaction, subject to the office holder’s disclosure of his or her interest, board approval is sufficient for the approval of the transaction. If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction (a transaction not in the ordinary course, which is not on market terms, or that is likely to have a material impact on the company’s profitability, properties or obligations), it must be approved by the audit committee and the Board of Directors. Generally, an office holder who has a personal interest in a matter that is considered at a meeting of the Board of Directors or the audit or compensation committee may not be present at the meeting or vote thereon.

 

 

 

 

   

● the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by the vote of the stockholders; or

 

● the contract or transaction is fair to SharpLink US as of the time it is authorized, approved, or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee of the Board of Directors, or the stockholders.

 

Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee thereof which authorizes the contract or the transaction.

 

Under the Israeli Companies Law, the disclosure requirements that apply to an office holder also apply to a controlling shareholder of a public company. Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and the engagement of a controlling shareholder or his relative as an office holder or employee (including compensation therefor), generally require the approval of the audit committee (or compensation committee with respect to engagement as an office holder or employee), the Board of Directors and the shareholders, in that order. The shareholder approval must include at least a majority of the shares of non-interested shareholders voted on the matter. However, the transaction can be approved by shareholders without this special majority if the total shares of non-interested shareholders that voted against the transaction do not represent more than 2% of the voting rights in the company. In addition, any such extraordinary transaction whose term is longer than three years may require further shareholder approval every three years, unless, where permissible under the Israeli Companies Law, the audit committee approves that a longer term is reasonable under the circumstances.

 

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a shareholder has a duty to act in good faith towards the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his or her power in the company including, among other things, when voting in a general meeting of shareholders or in a class meeting on the following matters: (i) any amendment to the articles; (ii) an increase in the company’s authorized share capital; (iii) a merger; or (iv) approval of related party transactions that require shareholder approval.

 

 

 

 

 

       

A shareholder also has a general duty to refrain from depriving any other shareholders of their rights as shareholders.

 

In addition, a duty to act with fairness towards the company is imposed on: (i) anyone who controls a company, i.e. a person that has the ability to direct the activity of a company, excluding an ability deriving merely from holding an officer or director or another office in the company (a person shall be presumed to control a corporation if he or she holds half or more of certain means of control, i.e. rights to vote at a general meeting and the right to appoint directors or general manager), (ii) any shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and (iii) any shareholder who has the power to appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder in the company. The Israeli Companies Law does not describe the substance of this duty of fairness.

         
Executive Compensation  

In accordance with the Bylaws, the Board of Directors of SharpLink US will determine the employment terms of the directors.

 

Under the DGCL, the Board of Directors determines the employment terms of the CEO and other officers.

 

For details regarding compensation of controlling shareholders, see above under “Conflict of Interest; Interested Party Transactions”.

 

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a public company is obligated to determine a compensation policy regarding the terms of service and employment of office holders in the company. The compensation policy must be approved (subject to a number of exceptions) by the compensation committee, the Board of Directors and the general meeting of the shareholders by a special majority.

 

The terms of office of officer holders are required to be in accordance with the compensation policy (subject to certain exceptions). The compensation terms of directors, the chief executive officer, and any employee or service provider who is considered a controlling shareholder or his relative must, subject to certain exceptions, be approved separately by the compensation committee, the Board of Directors and by a special majority of the shareholders, in that order. The compensation terms of other executive officers require the approval of the compensation committee and the Board of Directors. Compensation terms of other executive officers that are not in accordance with the compensation policy also require the approval of a special majority of the shareholders.

 

 

 

 

Internal Auditor   There is no requirement under the DGCL for a corporation to appoint an Internal Auditor.   According to the Israeli Companies Law, the Board of Directors of a public company is required to appoint an internal auditor who shall be appointed at the proposal of the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, whether a company’s activities comply with the law and orderly business procedure.
         
Dissenters’ or Appraisal Rights  

Under the DGCL, stockholders have the right to dissent from any plan of merger or consolidation to which the corporation is a party, and to demand payment for the fair value of their shares as determined in action brought before the Delaware Court of Chancery. However, unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, the DGCL states that stockholders do not have a right to dissent from any plan of merger or consolidation with respect to shares:

 

● listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and

 

● for which, pursuant to the plan of merger or consolidation, stockholders will receive only (1) shares or depository receipts of another corporation which at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders, (2) shares of stock or depositary receipts of the surviving corporation in the merger or consolidation, (3) cash for fractional shares or (4) any combination of (1) – (3).

 

In addition, the DGCL provides that, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, stockholders of a surviving corporation do not have the right to dissent from a plan of merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders.

 

The DGCL also provides that all appraisal actions with respect to shares that were listed on a national securities exchange immediately before the merger shall be dismissed by the Delaware Court of Chancery unless (1) the total number of shares entitled to appraisal exceeds 1% of the outstanding shares of the class or series eligible for appraisal, (2) the value of the consideration provided in the merger for such total number of shares exceeds $1 million or (3) the merger was approved without a stockholder vote pursuant to Sections 253 or 267 of the DGCL.

  The Israeli Companies Law provides for appraisal rights in the event a full tender offer is accepted if the shareholder files a request with the court within six months following the consummation of a full tender offer. The acquirer may provide in the tender offer documents that any shareholder that accepted the offer and tendered his shares will not be entitled to appraisal rights.

 

 

 

 

Exclusive Forum  

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will provide that, subject to certain exceptions, the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of SharpLink US, (B) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty or other wrongdoing by any of SharpLink US’s current or former directors, officers, employees or agents to SharpLink US or its stockholders, (C) any action asserting a claim against SharpLink US or any current or former director, officer or other employee of SharpLink US arising out of, or pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time); (D) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, (E) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); except, in each case, (i) any claim as to which such court determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of such court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of such court within 10 days following such determination), (ii) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than such court, or (iii) for which such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in all cases subject to the courts having jurisdiction over indispensable parties named as defendants

 

This exclusive forum provision, however, will not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

  SharpLink Israel’s Articles do not contain any provision with respect to the forum for any shareholder to bring an action.

 

The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Designation of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Designation of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Bylaws which are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS

 

(b) Departure of Director

 

On February 13, 2024 in connection with the closing of the Domestication Merger, the following members of SharpLink Israel’s Board of Directors (“SharpLink Israel Board”) tendered their resignations as directors of SharpLink US, with such resignations becoming effective February 13, 2024.

 

  Joseph Housman

 

  Paul Abdo

 

  Thomas Doering

 

  Scott Pollei

 

  Adrienne Anderson

 

Remaining on the SharpLink Israel Board is Rob Phythian, who is also the CEO of SharpLink Israel.

 

In addition, the following members of SharpLink US’s Board of Directors (“SharpLink US Board”) tendered their resignations as directors of SharpLink US, with such resignations becoming effective February 13, 2024:

 

  Joseph Housman

 

  Paul Abdo

 

  Thomas Doering

 

  Scott Pollei

 

Remaining on the SharpLink US Board is Rob Phythian, who is also the CEO of SharpLink US; and Adrienne Anderson, an independent member of the SharpLink US Board, who will also continue to serve as Chair of SharpLink US’s Audit Committee and as a member of the Compensation Committee. As a non-employee director, Ms. Anderson will receive an annual retainer of $30,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts as her base compensation for her service on the Board, and an annual retainer of $15,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts for serving as Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee. In addition, she will be granted 60,000 restricted stock units, which shall vest in equal quarterly installments in 2024, or on March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024.

 

(d) Appointment of Director

 

On February 13, 2024, the SharpLink US Board elected Rob Phythian as Chairman of the Board of SharpLink US effective February 13, 2024; and elected Obie McKenzie and Leslie Bernhard as new members of the SharpLink US Board, effective February 13, 2024. The SharpLink US Board assessed the independence of Mr. McKenzie and Ms. Bernhard as defined by the independence standards under Nasdaq rules and has determined that both Mr. McKenzie and Ms. Bernhard are independent. Mr. McKenzie and Ms. Bernhard will serve as directors until the SharpLink US’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

In addition, Mr. McKenzie was appointed as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Bernhard was appointed as a member of both the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.

 

 

 

 

In connection with their appointments, SharpLink US entered into director agreements and Confidentiality Agreements with Mr. McKenzie and Ms. Bernhard. Neither Mr. McKenzie nor Ms. Bernhard are a party to any transaction with SharpLink US that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and there are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. McKenzie or Ms. Bernhard and any other persons pursuant to which they were selected to serve as directors.

 

Pursuant to the director agreement between SharpLink US and Mr. McKenzie, Mr. McKenzie will receive an annual retainer of $30,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts as his base compensation for serving as a director of the SharpLink US Board, and an annual retainer of $15,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts for serving as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and member of the Audit Committee. In addition, he will be granted 40,000 restricted stock units which shall vest in equal quarterly installments in 2024, or on March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, subject to his continued service as a director through each applicable vesting date. Pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement between SharpLink US and Mr. McKenzie, Mr. McKenzie agreed to not disclose and to maintain the confidentiality of the confidential information shared by SharpLink US with board members in order to permit him to carry out his responsibilities as a director.

 

Pursuant to the director agreement between SharpLink US and Ms. Bernhard, Ms. Bernhard will receive an annual retainer of $30,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts as his base compensation for serving as a director of the SharpLink US Board, and an annual retainer of $10,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts for serving as a member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. In addition, she will be granted 40,000 restricted stock units which shall vest in equal quarterly installments in 2024, or on March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024, subject to her continued service as a director through each applicable vesting date. Pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement between SharpLink US and Ms. Bernhard, Ms. Bernhard agreed to not disclose and to maintain the confidentiality of the confidential information shared by SharpLink US with board members in order to permit her to carry out her responsibilities as a director.

 

The description of the director agreements and Confidentiality Agreements with Mr. McKenzie and Ms. Bernhard contained herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Biography of Mr. Obie McKenzie

 

Beginning in January 2019 through to the present, Mr. McKenzie has served as Vice Chairman of Cordiant Capital, a global infrastructure and real assets investment firm focused on digital infrastructure, renewable energy infrastructure and agriculture. In his role as Managing Director of BlackRock Inc. from January 2000 through December 2018, he was wholly responsible for managing relationships with some of the largest pension funds in the United States to include the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, New York City Employees’ Retirement System and the Federal Reserve Employee Benefits System, among others.

 

During his accomplished career, Mr. McKenzie served as Managing Director at Merrill Lynch from 1990 through 2006; Executive Director at UBS Asset Management and Managing Director at Chase Investors from 1987 through 1990; as well as Founder and President of McKenzie & Company, an NASD registered broker-dealer from 1984 through 1987. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, he held positions at Citibank, Chemical Bank and Freedom National Bank as a commercial banker. Mr. McKenzie was also Manager of Banking and Pensions at The New York Times in 1975 and began his career as a Corporate Finance Associate for Morgan Stanley in 1972.

 

Mr. McKenzie was a founding board member of the National Association of Securities Professionals, where he received the “Wall Street Hall of Fame Award” in 2001. In 2010, he received the AIMSE Richard A. Lothrop Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition for his outstanding achievements in the investment management industry and his community. In 2011, Mr. McKenzie was named by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the 75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street; and in 2013, he was named Public Fund Marketer of the Year by Money Management Intelligence. Mr. McKenzie earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

 

Biography of Ms. Leslie Bernhard

 

Ms. Bernhard has served as Chairman of the Board of Nexalin Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXL) since November 2023. From February 2017 through the present, she has also been an independent director of Sachem Capital Corp., a REIT real estate investment trust (NYSE American SACH). In addition, she has served as the non-executive chairman of the board of Milestone Scientific Inc. (“Milestone”) (NYSE American: MLSS), a developer and manufacturer of medical and dental devices, since October 2009, and as an independent director of Milestone since May 2003. She also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Milestone from October 2017 to December 2017. From 2007 through September 2018, Ms. Bernhard was an independent director of Universal Power Group, Inc., a global supplier of power solutions (“UPG”), and since September 2018, she has been serving as a consultant to UPG. In 1986, she co-founded AdStar, Inc., an electronic ad intake service to the newspaper industry, and served as its president, chief executive officer and executive director until 2012.

 

 

 

 

Earlier in her career, Ms. Bernhard held management positions at Revlon, Inc., Walt Disney Productions, Inc. and the Gillette Company. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from St. John’s University.

 

ITEM 5.03 AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS, CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

 

The information set forth in Items 1.01 and 3.03 are incorporated by reference herein.

 

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

 

On February 13, 2024, SharpLink Israel issued a press release relating to the completion of the Domestication Merger. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information included in this Item 7.01, “Regulation FD Disclosure” of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished. As such, the information (including the exhibit) herein shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number   Description
     
2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 14, 2023, by and among SharpLink Gaming Ltd., SharpLink Gaming, Inc., and SharpLink Merger Sub Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to SharpLink Gaming, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 21, 2023)
     
2.2   Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 24, 2023, by and among SharpLink Gaming Ltd., SharpLink Gaming, Inc., and SharpLink Merger Sub Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to SharpLink Gaming, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on September 22, 2023)
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SharpLink Gaming, Inc.
     
3.2   Certificate of Designation of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock of SharpLink Gaming, Inc., par value $0.0001 per share
     
3.3   Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock of SharpLink Gaming, Inc., par value $0.0001 per share
     
3.4   Bylaws of SharpLink Gaming, Inc.
     
10.1   Director Agreement with Obie McKenzie, dated February 12, 2024
     
10.2   Director Agreement with Leslie Bernhard, dated February 11, 2024
     
10.3   Confidentiality Agreement with Obie McKenzie, dated February 14, 2024
     
10.4   Confidentiality Agreement with Leslie Bernhard, dated February 14, 2024
     
99.1   Press Release, titled “SharpLink Gaming Ltd. Completes Domestication Merger with SharpLink Gaming, Inc.,” dated February 13, 2024
     
104   Cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

 

 

 

 

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.

 

  SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Rob Phythian
  Name: Rob Phythian
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
Dated: February 13, 2024    

 

 

EX-3.1 2 ex3-1.htm

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that:

 

ONE: The undersigned is the duly elected President and Chief Executive Officer of SharpLink Gaming, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

TWO: The original date of filing the certificate of incorporation for SharpLink Gaming, Inc. with the Delaware Secretary of State was January 26, 2022.

 

THREE: The Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

NAME

 

The name of the corporation is SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE 2

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

 

The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE 3

PURPOSE

 

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE 4

CAPITAL STOCK

 

4.1 The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 115,000,000 shares. 100,000,000 shares are designated as Common Stock, each having a par value of $0.0001, and 15,000,000 shares are designated Preferred Stock, each having a par value of $0.0001.

 

4.2 The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of any or all of the unissued and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

 
 

 

4.3 No holder of shares of the Corporation of any class now or hereafter authorized will be entitled to cumulative voting.

 

ARTICLE 5

MANAGEMENT

 

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:

 

5.1 The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolutions adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors.

 

5.2 Each director shall stand for election at each annual meeting and shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

5.3 Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock that may be designated from time to time to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, a director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the Corporation with or without cause. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, any individual director or directors may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.

 

5.4 Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock that may be designated from time to time, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by applicable law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

 

5.5 The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”). Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 60% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

5.6 The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

 

5.7 [Reserved].

 

5.8 Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE 6

LIABILITIES; INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1 To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, a director or senior officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or to its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or senior officer. No amendment to, modification of, or repeal of this Section 6.1 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director or senior officer of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director or senior officer occurring prior to such amendment.

 

6.2 The Corporation may indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, his testator, or intestate is or was a director, or senior officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, senior officer, employee, or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation. Any amendment, repeal, or modification of this Section 6.2 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE 7

FORUM

 

7.1 Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) is the exclusive forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for (A) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (B) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty or other wrongdoing by any of the Corporation’s current or former directors, officers, employees or agents to the Corporation or its stockholders, (C) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Corporation arising out of, or pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time); (D) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, (E) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); except, in each case, (i) any claim as to which such court determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of such court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of such court within 10 days following such determination), (ii) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than such court, or (iii) for which such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in all cases subject to the courts having jurisdiction over indispensable parties named as defendants This Section 7.1 shall not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

7.2 Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the 1933 Act.

 

7.3 Any person or entity holding, owning or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation.

 

ARTICLE 8

AMENDMENT

 

8.1 The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in Section 8.2, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

 
 

 

8.2 Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock that may be designated from time to time, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles 5, 6, 7 or 8 of this Certificate of Incorporation.

 

* * * *

 

FOUR: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted and approved by the Board of Directors and by written consent of the stockholders in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL and written notice of such action has been given as provided in section 228 of the DGCL.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SharpLink Gaming, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer this 13th day of February, 2024.

 

  SharpLink Gaming, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Rob Phythian
  Name: Rob Phythian
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]

 

 

EX-3.2 3 ex3-2.htm

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,

RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

OF

SERIES A-1 PREFERRED STOCK

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE

DELAWARE General Corporation Law

 

The undersigned, Rob Phythian, does hereby certify that:

 

1. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Sharplink Gaming, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”).

 

2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

 

3. The following resolutions were duly adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”):

 

WHEREAS, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation provides for a class of its authorized stock known as preferred stock, consisting of 15,000,000 shares, $0.0001 par value per share, issuable from time to time in one or more series;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of the shares of preferred stock in series and to establish, from time to time, the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon;

 

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors, pursuant to its authority as aforesaid, to fix the rights, preferences, restrictions and other matters relating to a series of the preferred stock, which shall consist of, up to 260,000 shares of the Series A-1 preferred stock which the Corporation has the authority to issue, as follows:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors does hereby provide for the issuance of a series of preferred stock for cash or exchange of other securities, rights or property and does hereby fix and determine the rights, preferences, restrictions and other matters relating to such series of preferred stock as follows:

 

1

 

 

TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

Change of Control Transaction” means the occurrence after the date hereof of any of (a) an acquisition after the date hereof by an individual or legal entity or “group” (as described in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of effective control (whether through legal or beneficial ownership of capital stock of the Corporation, by contract or otherwise) of in excess of 33% of the voting securities of the Corporation (other than by means of conversion or exercise of Preferred Stock), (b) the Corporation merges into or consolidates with any other Person, or any Person merges into or consolidates with the Corporation and, after giving effect to such transaction, the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction own less than 66% of the aggregate voting power of the Corporation or the successor entity of such transaction, (c) the Corporation sells or transfers all or substantially all of its (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) assets to another Person and the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction own less than 66% of the aggregate voting power of the acquiring entity immediately after the transaction, (d) a replacement at one time or within a one year period of more than one-half of the members of the Board of Directors which is not approved by a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board of Directors on the date hereof (or by those individuals who are serving as members of the Board of Directors on any date whose nomination to the Board of Directors was approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are members on the date hereof), or (e) the execution by the Corporation of an agreement to which the Corporation is a party or by which it is bound, providing for any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above.

 

Common Stock” means common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Corporation.

 

Conversion Price” means $16.246 with respect to each share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of Section 8.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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Exempt Issuance” means (a) the issuance of Common Stock or options to employees, officers, directors, advisors or consultants of the Corporation pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, (b) securities issued in connection with the transactions effected on the date hereof, (c) securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any securities issued on or prior to the date hereof, provided that terms of such securities have not been amended since the date hereof to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of any such securities or to extend the term of such securities, and (d) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Corporation, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Corporation (as operated on the date of such transaction) and shall provide to the Corporation, based on the determination of the Board of Directors, additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Corporation is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities. For the avoidance of doubt, additional shares of Common Stock that may be issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock as the result of the adjustments pursuant to Section 8 shall be Exempt Issuances.

 

Fundamental Transaction” shall refer to each of the following: (i) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another Person, (ii) the Corporation (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Corporation or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iv) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the shares of Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the shares of Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination).

 

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Holder” means any holder of Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

 

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Junior Securities” means the shares of Common Stock and all Common Stock Equivalents of the Corporation other than those securities which are explicitly senior or pari passu to the Series A-1 Preferred Stock in dividend rights or liquidation preference.

 

Liens” means a lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

 

Liquidation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same effect as such rule.

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Per Share of Preferred Stock Purchase Price” shall mean $16.246 with respect to each share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

 

Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Corporation, including any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Corporation formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

 

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

Transfer Agent” means Equiniti/American Stock Transfer & Trust, the current transfer agent of the Corporation and any successor transfer agent of the Corporation.

 

Section 2. Designation, Amount and Par Value. The series of preferred stock shall be designated as Series A-1 Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) and the number of shares so designated shall be up to 260,000 (which shall not be subject to increase without the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock). Each share of Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share.

 

4

 

 

Section 3. Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

a) Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Corporation shall not affect any conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the shares of Preferred Stock, to the extent that, after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion (as defined below), such Holder (together with such Holder’s Affiliates, and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or any of such Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Cap (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted shares of Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties (the restrictions described in this sentence, the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation applies, the determination of whether a share of Preferred Stock is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by such Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of how many shares of Preferred Stock are convertible shall be in the sole discretion of such Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be such Holder’s determination of whether the shares of Preferred Stock may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by such Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and how many shares of Preferred Stock are convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

b) Compliance with Limitation at Conversion. To ensure compliance with this restriction, each Holder will be deemed to represent to the Corporation each time it delivers a Notice of Conversion that such Notice of Conversion has not violated the restrictions set forth in this paragraph and the Corporation shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be made by the Holder and shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 3(b), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as stated in the most recent of the following: (i) the Corporation’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the SEC, as the case may be, (ii) a more recent public announcement by the Corporation or (iii) a more recent written notice by the Corporation setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

5

 

 

c) Beneficial Ownership Cap. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Corporation shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The “Beneficial Ownership Cap” shall be 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock held by the applicable Holder. A Holder, upon notice to the Corporation, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Cap applicable to its shares of Preferred Stock, but not greater than 9.99%. Any such increase or decrease in the Beneficial Ownership Cap will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Corporation and shall only apply to such Holder and no other Holder.

 

d) Application to Multiple Classes. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Holder owns multiple classes of shares of Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation and the Beneficial Ownership Cap will apply across all classes of shares of Preferred Stock, such that, for example, a Holder that owns 9.0% of the shares of Common Stock may vote an aggregate of all classes of shares of Preferred Stock equal to 0.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the applicable number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion of such shares of Preferred Stock.

 

Section 4. [Reserved].

 

Section 5. Rights. The shares of Preferred Stock shall have the following rights and will confer upon the Holder thereon.

 

a) equal rights to receive dividends, if and when distributed to holders of shares of Common Stock, whether in cash or any other manner, and to participate in a distribution of bonus shares, if and when distributed, according to the ratio between the shareholders’ holdings in the Corporation’s issued and outstanding share capital (shares of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis, without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) and the Corporation’s total issued and outstanding share capital (shares of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis, without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

b) equal right to participate in a distribution of the Corporation’s assets available for distribution, in the event of liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation, on an as-converted basis, following the distribution to the holders of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if applicable, and pari-passu with the shares of Common Stock.

 

c) a right of conversion into shares of Common Stock as provided in Section 7.

 

6

 

 

d) equal rights to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the shares of Common Stock (on an as-converted basis, but only up to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock would be convertible pursuant to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation). The rights attached to shares of Preferred Stock (other than modifications to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, which may not be modified) may be modified or abrogated by the affirmative consent of the determining majority of the shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the creation of additional shares of a specific class, or the issuance of additional shares of a specific class, shall not be deemed a modification or abrogation of rights attached to shares of Preferred Stock or of any other class.

 

Section 6. [Reserved]

 

Section 7. Conversion. The shares of Preferred Stock will convert in this Section 7:

 

a) Conversions at Option of Holder. Each share of Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time at the option of the Holder thereof, into such number of shares of Common Stock (subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) determined by dividing the Per Share of Preferred Stock Purchase Price by the Conversion Price then in effect (the “Conversion Rate”). Holders shall effect conversions by providing the Corporation with the form of conversion notice attached hereto as Annex A (a “Notice of Conversion”). Each Notice of Conversion shall specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be converted, the number of shares of Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock beneficially owned prior to the conversion at issue, and the date on which such conversion is to be effected, which date may not be prior to the date the applicable Holder delivers by facsimile or email such Notice of Conversion to the Corporation (such date, the “Conversion Date”). If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion to the Corporation is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required.

 

7

 

 

b) Delivery of Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. Not later than two Trading Days after each Conversion Date (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock which, to the extent possible, will be delivered electronically to an account established with the Transfer Agent on behalf of the Holder, or through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing company performing similar functions. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Corporation fails for any reason to deliver to a Holder the applicable Conversion Shares by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to this provision, and if after such Share Delivery Date such Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of the Conversion Shares which such Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Corporation shall (A) pay in cash to such Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by such Holder) the amount, if any, by which (x) such Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that such Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of such Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) the shares of Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock submitted for conversion (in which case, such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Corporation had timely complied with its delivery requirements under this provision. For example, if a Holder purchases shares of Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of shares of Preferred Stock with respect to which the actual sale price of the Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to pay such Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Corporation written notice indicating the amounts payable to such Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Corporation, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Corporation’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

c) Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holders, not less than such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as shall be issuable (taking into account the adjustments set forth in Section 8) upon the conversion of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue in accordance with the terms herein, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

d) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall round any fractional shares of Common Stock that results from the conversion of shares of Preferred Stock either up or down, to the nearest whole Common Stock, as applicable (i.e., fractions of up to 0.5 shall be rounded down and fractions equal to or higher than 0.5 shall be rounded up).

 

8

 

 

e) Transfer Taxes and Expenses. The issuance of Conversion Shares upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to any Holder for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such Conversion Shares, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such Conversion Shares upon conversion in a name other than that of the Holders of such shares of Preferred Stock and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver such Conversion Shares unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid. The Corporation shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Conversion and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing company performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Conversion Shares.

 

Section 8. Certain Adjustments. The rate at which shares of Preferred Stock convert into shares of Common Stock shall be adjusted from time to time as set forth here:

 

a) Share Dividends and Share Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while any share of Preferred Stock is outstanding: (i) pays a share dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock on shares of Common Stock or any other Common Stock Equivalents (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Corporation upon conversion of, or payment of a dividend on, shares of Preferred Stock), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of a reverse share split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues, in the event of a reclassification of shares of Common Stock, any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, then the Conversion Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall become effective: (i) immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution or, as applicable, (ii) immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

b) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, if the Corporation declares or makes any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on conversion hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date on which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution, provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Cap, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Cap.

 

9

 

 

c) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation completes a Fundamental Transaction, then, upon any subsequent conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation), the number of securities of the successor or acquiring company or of the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, if it is the surviving company, and any additional consideration (together, the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which the shares of Preferred Stock being converted are convertible immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation). For purposes of any such conversion, the determination of the Conversion Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Corporation shall apportion the Conversion Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of shares of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the right to make the choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any conversion of shares of Preferred Stock following such Fundamental Transaction at the same time the holders of shares of Common Stock are making their choice. To the extent necessary to effect the foregoing provisions, any successor to the Corporation or surviving entity in such Fundamental Transaction shall file a Certificate of Designation with the same terms and conditions as the applicable share of Preferred Stock has under this Certificate of Designation (including any exhibits hereto) and issue to the Holders new preferred stock consistent with the foregoing provisions and evidencing the Holders’ right to convert such preferred stock into Alternate Consideration. The Corporation shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Corporation is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Corporation with respect to the applicable class of shares of Preferred Stock under the By-laws (including any exhibits hereto) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8(c) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the holder of shares of Preferred Stock, deliver to the Holder in exchange for shares of Preferred Stock a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to the applicable class of shares of Preferred Stock which is convertible for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon conversion of this share of Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this share of Preferred Stock) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with a conversion price which applies the conversion price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such conversion price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this share of Preferred Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Corporation and shall assume all of the obligations of the Corporation under this Certificate of Designation (including the exhibits hereto) as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Corporation herein.

 

10

 

 

d) [Reserved]

 

e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 8 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 7, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) issued and outstanding.

 

f) Notice of Adjustment to Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 8, the Corporation shall promptly deliver to each Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

g) Notice to Allow Conversion by Holder. If (A) the Corporation shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the shares of Common Stock, (B) the Corporation shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the shares of Common Stock, (C) the Corporation shall authorize the granting to all holders of the shares of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholder of the Corporation shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the shares of Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), or any compulsory share exchange whereby the shares of Common Stock are converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Corporation shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, then, in each case, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to each Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the list of shareholders, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the shares of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the shares of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange, provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries, the Corporation shall simultaneously file such notice with the SEC pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K or Form 6-K, as applicable. The Holder shall remain entitled to convert the Conversion Amount of the shares of Preferred Stock (or any part hereof) during the 20-day period commencing on the date of such notice through the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

11

 

 

Section 9. [Reserved].

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

a) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Conversion, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail attachment, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Corporation, Attention: Bob DeLucia, e-mail address: [                   ], or such other e-mail address or address as the Corporation may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders delivered in accordance with this Section 10(a). Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Corporation hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail attachment, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Corporation. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.

 

b) Absolute Obligation. Except as expressly provided herein, no provision of this Certificate of Designation shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay liquidated damages, accrued dividends and accrued interest, as applicable, on the shares of Preferred Stock at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

 

12

 

 

c) Lost or Mutilated Preferred Stock Certificate. If a Holder’s Preferred Stock certificate shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated certificate, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, a new certificate for the shares of Preferred Stock so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such certificate, and of the ownership hereof reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation.

 

d) [Reserved].

 

e) Waiver. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder of a breach of any provision of this Certificate of Designation shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Certificate of Designation or a waiver by any other Holders. The failure of the Corporation or a Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Certificate of Designation on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party (or any other Holder) of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Certificate of Designation on any other occasion. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder must be in writing.

 

f) Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Designation is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Certificate of Designation shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law.

 

g) Next Trading Day. Whenever any payment or other obligation hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Trading Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Trading Day.

 

h) Headings. The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Certificate of Designation and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

i) Status of Converted or Redeemed Preferred Stock. If any shares of Preferred Stock shall be converted, redeemed or reacquired by the Corporation, such shares shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and shall no longer be designated as Preferred Stock.

 

*********************

 

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RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the Chairman, the president or any vice-president, and the secretary or any assistant secretary, of the Corporation be and they hereby are authorized and directed to prepare and file this Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations in accordance with the foregoing resolution and the provisions of Delaware law.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate this 13th day of Feburary, 2024.

 

  /s/ Rob Phythian
  Name: Rob Phythian
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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ANNEX A

 

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

 

(To be Executed by the Registered Holder in order to Convert Shares of Preferred Stock)

 

The undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock indicated below into shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of SharpLink Gaming, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), according to the conditions hereof, as of the date written below. If shares of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith such certificates and opinions as may be required by the Corporation in accordance with the Corporation’s Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A-1 Preferred Stock. No fee will be charged to the Holders for any conversion, except for any such transfer taxes.

 

Conversion calculations:

 

Date to Effect Conversion: _____________________________________________

 

Number of shares of Preferred Stock owned prior to Conversion: ________________

 

Number of shares of Preferred Stock to be Converted: ________________________

 

Stated Value of shares of Preferred Stock to be Converted: ____________________

 

Number of shares of Common Stock to be Issued: ___________________________

 

Applicable Conversion Price:____________________________________________

 

Number of shares of Preferred Stock subsequent to Conversion: ________________

 

Address for Delivery: ______________________

 

or

 

DWAC Instructions:

 

Broker no: _________

 

Account no: ___________

 

[HOLDER]

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

15

EX-3.3 4 ex3-3.htm

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF PREFERENCES,

RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

OF

SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE

DELAWARE General Corporation Law

 

The undersigned, Rob Phythian, does hereby certify that:

 

1. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Sharplink Gaming, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”).

 

2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

 

3. The following resolutions were duly adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”):

 

WHEREAS, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation provides for a class of its authorized stock known as preferred stock, consisting of 15,000,000 shares, $0.0001 par value per share, issuable from time to time in one or more series;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of the shares of preferred stock in series and to establish, from time to time, the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon;

 

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors, pursuant to its authority as aforesaid, to fix the rights, preferences, restrictions and other matters relating to a series of the preferred stock, which shall consist of, up to 370,000 shares of the Series B preferred stock which the Corporation has the authority to issue, as follows:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors does hereby provide for the issuance of a series of preferred stock for cash or exchange of other securities, rights or property and does hereby fix and determine the rights, preferences, restrictions and other matters relating to such series of preferred stock as follows:

 

1
 

 

TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes hereof, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

Change of Control Transaction” means the occurrence after the date hereof of any of (a) an acquisition after the date hereof by an individual or legal entity or “group” (as described in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of effective control (whether through legal or beneficial ownership of capital stock of the Corporation, by contract or otherwise) of in excess of 33% of the voting securities of the Corporation (other than by means of conversion or exercise of Preferred Stock), (b) the Corporation merges into or consolidates with any other Person, or any Person merges into or consolidates with the Corporation and, after giving effect to such transaction, the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction own less than 66% of the aggregate voting power of the Corporation or the successor entity of such transaction, (c) the Corporation sells or transfers all or substantially all of its (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) assets to another Person and the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction own less than 66% of the aggregate voting power of the acquiring entity immediately after the transaction, (d) a replacement at one time or within a one year period of more than one-half of the members of the Board of Directors which is not approved by a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board of Directors on the date hereof (or by those individuals who are serving as members of the Board of Directors on any date whose nomination to the Board of Directors was approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are members on the date hereof), or (e) the execution by the Corporation of an agreement to which the Corporation is a party or by which it is bound, providing for any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above.

 

Common Stock” means common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Corporation.

 

Conversion Price” means $7.00 with respect to each share of Series B Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of Section 8.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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Exempt Issuance” means (a) the issuance of Common Stock or options to employees, officers, directors, advisors or consultants of the Corporation pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, (b) securities issued in connection with the transactions effected on the date hereof, (c) securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any securities issued on or prior to the date hereof, provided that terms of such securities have not been amended since the date hereof to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of any such securities or to extend the term of such securities, and (d) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Corporation, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Corporation (as operated on the date of such transaction) and shall provide to the Corporation, based on the determination of the Board of Directors, additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Corporation is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities. For the avoidance of doubt, additional shares of Common Stock that may be issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock as the result of the adjustments pursuant to Section 8 shall be Exempt Issuances.

 

Fundamental Transaction” shall refer to each of the following: (i) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another Person, (ii) the Corporation (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Corporation or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iv) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the shares of Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the shares of Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Corporation, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination).

 

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Holder” means any holder of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

Junior Securities” means the shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock, and all Common Stock Equivalents of the Corporation other than those securities which are explicitly senior or pari passu to the Series B Preferred Stock in dividend rights or liquidation preference.

 

3
 

 

Liens” means a lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

 

Liquidation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same effect as such rule.

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Per Share of Preferred Stock Purchase Price” shall mean $16.246 with respect to each share of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Corporation, including any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Corporation formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

 

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

Transfer Agent” means Equiniti/American Stock Transfer & Trust, the current transfer agent of the Corporation and any successor transfer agent of the Corporation.

 

Section 2. Designation, Amount and Par Value. The series of preferred stock shall be designated as Series B Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) and the number of shares so designated shall be up to 370,000 (which shall not be subject to increase without the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock). Each share of Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share.

 

4
 

 

Section 3. Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

a) Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Corporation shall not affect any conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock, and a Holder shall not have the right to convert any portion of the shares of Preferred Stock, to the extent that, after giving effect to the conversion set forth on the applicable Notice of Conversion (as defined below), such Holder (together with such Holder’s Affiliates, and any Persons acting as a group together with such Holder or any of such Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Cap (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude (i) conversion of the remaining, unconverted shares of Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties, (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Corporation subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by such Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties (the restrictions described in this sentence, the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation applies, the determination of whether a share of Preferred Stock is convertible (in relation to other securities owned by such Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of how many shares of Preferred Stock are convertible shall be in the sole discretion of such Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Conversion shall be deemed to be such Holder’s determination of whether the shares of Preferred Stock may be converted (in relation to other securities owned by such Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and how many shares of Preferred Stock are convertible, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

b) Compliance with Limitation at Conversion. To ensure compliance with this restriction, each Holder will be deemed to represent to the Corporation each time it delivers a Notice of Conversion that such Notice of Conversion has not violated the restrictions set forth in this paragraph and the Corporation shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be made by the Holder and shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 3(b), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as stated in the most recent of the following: (i) the Corporation’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the SEC, as the case may be, (ii) a more recent public announcement by the Corporation or (iii) a more recent written notice by the Corporation setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

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c) Beneficial Ownership Cap. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Corporation shall within two Trading Days confirm orally and in writing to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The “Beneficial Ownership Cap” shall be 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock held by the applicable Holder. A Holder, upon notice to the Corporation, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Cap applicable to its shares of Preferred Stock, but not greater than 9.99%. Any such increase or decrease in the Beneficial Ownership Cap will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Corporation and shall only apply to such Holder and no other Holder.

 

d) Application to Multiple Classes. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Holder owns multiple classes of shares of Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation and the Beneficial Ownership Cap will apply across all classes of shares of Preferred Stock, such that, for example, a Holder that owns 9.0% of the shares of Common Stock may vote an aggregate of all classes of shares of Preferred Stock equal to 0.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the applicable number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion of such shares of Preferred Stock.

 

Section 4. Dividends.

 

a) [Reserved].

 

b) [Reserved].

 

c) [Reserved].

 

d) Other Securities. So long as any share of Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding, neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary thereof shall redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any Junior Securities. So long as any shares of Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding, neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary thereof shall directly or indirectly pay or declare any dividend or make any distribution upon (other than a dividend or distribution described in Section 4 or dividends due and paid in the ordinary course on preferred stock of the Corporation at such times when the Corporation is in compliance with its payment and other obligations hereunder), nor shall any distribution be made in respect of, any Junior Securities, nor shall any monies be set aside for or applied to the purchase or redemption (through a sinking fund or otherwise) of any Junior Securities or shares pari passu with the shares of Preferred Stock.

 

Section 5. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein (including without limitation the provisions of Section 9) or as otherwise required by law, the shares of Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights.

 

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Section 6. Liquidation. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), the Holders shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Corporation an amount equal to the Per Share of Preferred Stock Purchase Price, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon and any other fees or liquidated damages then due and owing thereon under this Certificate of Designation, for each share of Preferred Stock held by them upon Liquidation, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Junior Securities, and if the assets of the Corporation shall be insufficient to pay in full such amounts, then the entire assets to be distributed to the Holders shall be ratably distributed among the Holders in accordance with the respective amounts that would be payable on such shares if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full. Neither a Fundamental Transaction nor a Change of Control Transaction shall be deemed a Liquidation. The Corporation shall mail written notice of any such Liquidation, not less than 45 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, the Preferred Stock will not participate in distributions to the Junior Securities in a Liquidation following payment of the Per Share of Preferred Stock Purchase Price described herein.

 

Section 7. Conversion. The shares of Preferred Stock will convert in this Section 7:

 

a) Conversions at Option of Holder. Each share of Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time at the option of the Holder thereof, into such number of shares of Common Stock (subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) determined by dividing the Per Share of Preferred Stock Purchase Price by the Conversion Price then in effect (the “Conversion Rate”). Holders shall effect conversions by providing the Corporation with the form of conversion notice attached hereto as Annex A (a “Notice of Conversion”). Each Notice of Conversion shall specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be converted, the number of shares of Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock beneficially owned prior to the conversion at issue, and the date on which such conversion is to be effected, which date may not be prior to the date the applicable Holder delivers by facsimile or email such Notice of Conversion to the Corporation (such date, the “Conversion Date”). If no Conversion Date is specified in a Notice of Conversion, the Conversion Date shall be the date that such Notice of Conversion to the Corporation is deemed delivered hereunder. No ink-original Notice of Conversion shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Conversion form be required.

 

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b) Delivery of Conversion Shares Upon Conversion. Not later than two Trading Days after each Conversion Date (the “Share Delivery Date”), the Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the converting Holder the number of Conversion Shares being acquired upon the conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock which, to the extent possible, will be delivered electronically to an account established with the Transfer Agent on behalf of the Holder, or through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing company performing similar functions. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Corporation fails for any reason to deliver to a Holder the applicable Conversion Shares by the Share Delivery Date pursuant to this provision, and if after such Share Delivery Date such Holder is required by its brokerage firm to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise), or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of the Conversion Shares which such Holder was entitled to receive upon the conversion relating to such Share Delivery Date (a “Buy-In”), then the Corporation shall (A) pay in cash to such Holder (in addition to any other remedies available to or elected by such Holder) the amount, if any, by which (x) such Holder’s total purchase price (including any brokerage commissions) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the product of (1) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that such Holder was entitled to receive from the conversion at issue multiplied by (2) the actual sale price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed (including any brokerage commissions) and (B) at the option of such Holder, either reissue (if surrendered) the shares of Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock submitted for conversion (in which case, such conversion shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if the Corporation had timely complied with its delivery requirements under this provision. For example, if a Holder purchases shares of Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted conversion of shares of Preferred Stock with respect to which the actual sale price of the Conversion Shares (including any brokerage commissions) giving rise to such purchase obligation was a total of $10,000 under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Corporation shall be required to pay such Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Corporation written notice indicating the amounts payable to such Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Corporation, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Corporation’s failure to timely deliver Conversion Shares upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

c) Reservation of Shares Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock for the sole purpose of issuance upon conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock, free from preemptive rights or any other actual contingent purchase rights of Persons other than the Holders, not less than such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as shall be issuable (taking into account the adjustments set forth in Section 8) upon the conversion of the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The Corporation covenants that all shares of Common Stock that shall be so issuable shall, upon issue in accordance with the terms herein, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

d) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall round any fractional shares of Common Stock that results from the conversion of shares of Preferred Stock either up or down, to the nearest whole Common Stock, as applicable (i.e., fractions of up to 0.5 shall be rounded down and fractions equal to or higher than 0.5 shall be rounded up).

 

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e) Transfer Taxes and Expenses. The issuance of Conversion Shares upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to any Holder for any documentary stamp or similar taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of such Conversion Shares, provided that the Corporation shall not be required to pay any tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such Conversion Shares upon conversion in a name other than that of the Holders of such shares of Preferred Stock and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver such Conversion Shares unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid. The Corporation shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Conversion and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing company performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Conversion Shares.

 

Section 8. Certain Adjustments. The rate at which shares of Preferred Stock convert into shares of Common Stock shall be adjusted from time to time as set forth here:

 

a) Share Dividends and Share Splits. If the Corporation, at any time while any share of Preferred Stock is outstanding: (i) pays a share dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions payable in shares of Common Stock on shares of Common Stock or any other Common Stock Equivalents (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Corporation upon conversion of, or payment of a dividend on, shares of Preferred Stock), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of a reverse share split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues, in the event of a reclassification of shares of Common Stock, any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, then the Conversion Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before such event, and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall become effective: (i) immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution or, as applicable, (ii) immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

b) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, if the Corporation declares or makes any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on conversion hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date on which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution, provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Cap, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Cap.

 

9
 

 

c) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation completes a Fundamental Transaction, then, upon any subsequent conversion of the shares of Preferred Stock, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Conversion Share that would have been issuable upon such conversion immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation), the number of securities of the successor or acquiring company or of the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, if it is the surviving company, and any additional consideration (together, the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which the shares of Preferred Stock being converted are convertible immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation). For purposes of any such conversion, the determination of the Conversion Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Corporation shall apportion the Conversion Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of shares of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the right to make the choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any conversion of shares of Preferred Stock following such Fundamental Transaction at the same time the holders of shares of Common Stock are making their choice. To the extent necessary to effect the foregoing provisions, any successor to the Corporation or surviving entity in such Fundamental Transaction shall file a Certificate of Designation with the same terms and conditions as the applicable share of Preferred Stock has under this Certificate of Designation (including any exhibits hereto) and issue to the Holders new preferred stock consistent with the foregoing provisions and evidencing the Holders’ right to convert such preferred stock into Alternate Consideration. The Corporation shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Corporation is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Corporation with respect to the applicable class of shares of Preferred Stock under the By-laws (including any exhibits hereto) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8(c) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the holder of shares of Preferred Stock, deliver to the Holder in exchange for shares of Preferred Stock a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to the applicable class of shares of Preferred Stock which is convertible for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon conversion of this share of Preferred Stock (without regard to any limitations on the conversion of this share of Preferred Stock) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with a conversion price which applies the conversion price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such conversion price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this share of Preferred Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Corporation and shall assume all of the obligations of the Corporation under this Certificate of Designation (including the exhibits hereto) as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Corporation herein.

 

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d) Anti-Dilution Adjustment. As to the shares of Preferred Stock only, if and whenever the Corporation issues or sells shares of Common Stock and/or Common Stock Equivalents (including the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents owned or held by or for the account of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) for a consideration per share that is less than the shares of Preferred Stock Conversion Price then in effect (such lesser price is referred to herein as the “Discounted Per Common Stock Purchase Price”), which is not an Exempt Issuance (the foregoing a “Dilutive Issuance”), then immediately after such Dilutive Issuance, the Conversion Price of the shares of Preferred Stock shall be reduced to equal the Discounted Per Common Stock Purchase Price, but in no event shall the Conversion Price become lower than $6.64.

 

e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 8 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 7, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any treasury shares of the Corporation) issued and outstanding.

 

f) Notice of Adjustment to Conversion Price. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 8, the Corporation shall promptly deliver to each Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

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g) Notice to Allow Conversion by Holder. If (A) the Corporation shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the shares of Common Stock, (B) the Corporation shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the shares of Common Stock, (C) the Corporation shall authorize the granting to all holders of the shares of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholder of the Corporation shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the shares of Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), or any compulsory share exchange whereby the shares of Common Stock are converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Corporation shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, then, in each case, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to each Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the list of shareholders, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the shares of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the shares of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange, provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries, the Corporation shall simultaneously file such notice with the SEC pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K or Form 6-K, as applicable. The Holder shall remain entitled to convert the Conversion Amount of the shares of Preferred Stock (or any part hereof) during the 20-day period commencing on the date of such notice through the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

Section 9. Negative Covenants. As long as 12,481 shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, unless the holders of at least 50.1% of the shares of Preferred Stock shall have otherwise given prior written consent, the Corporation shall not, and shall not permit any of the Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

a) amend its charter documents, including, without limitation, the Certificate of Incorporation, and the Bylaws, in any manner that materially and adversely affects any rights of the Holder;

 

b) repay, repurchase or offer to repay, repurchase or otherwise acquire more than a de minimis number of shares of its shares of Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents, or Junior Securities, other than repurchases of shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock Equivalents of departing officers and directors of the Corporation, provided that such repurchases shall not exceed an aggregate of $100,000 for all officers and directors for so long as the shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding;

 

12
 

 

c) pay cash dividends or distributions on Junior Securities of the Corporation, unless the Corporation has paid all dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock and the shares of Preferred Stock will participate ratably (on an as-converted to shares of Common Stock basis) in the dividend paid on the shares of Common Stock);

 

d) enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of the Corporation which would be required to be disclosed in any public filing with the SEC, unless such transaction is made on an arm’s-length basis and approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Corporation (even if less than a quorum otherwise required for board approval); or

 

e) enter into any agreement with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

 

a) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Conversion, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail attachment, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Corporation, Attention: Bob DeLucia, e-mail address: [                    ], or such other e-mail address or address as the Corporation may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders delivered in accordance with this Section 10(a). Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Corporation hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail attachment, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Corporation. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.

 

b) Absolute Obligation. Except as expressly provided herein, no provision of this Certificate of Designation shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay liquidated damages, accrued dividends and accrued interest, as applicable, on the shares of Preferred Stock at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

 

c) Lost or Mutilated Preferred Stock Certificate. If a Holder’s Preferred Stock certificate shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall execute and deliver, in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of a mutilated certificate, or in lieu of or in substitution for a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, a new certificate for the shares of Preferred Stock so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss, theft or destruction of such certificate, and of the ownership hereof reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation.

 

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d) [Reserved].

 

e) Waiver. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder of a breach of any provision of this Certificate of Designation shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other breach of such provision or of any breach of any other provision of this Certificate of Designation or a waiver by any other Holders. The failure of the Corporation or a Holder to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Certificate of Designation on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party (or any other Holder) of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Certificate of Designation on any other occasion. Any waiver by the Corporation or a Holder must be in writing.

 

f) Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Designation is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Certificate of Designation shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any Person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other Persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law.

 

g) Next Trading Day. Whenever any payment or other obligation hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Trading Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Trading Day.

 

h) Headings. The headings contained herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Certificate of Designation and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

i) Status of Converted or Redeemed Preferred Stock. If any shares of Preferred Stock shall be converted, redeemed or reacquired by the Corporation, such shares shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and shall no longer be designated as Preferred Stock.

 

*********************

 

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RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the Chairman, the president or any vice-president, and the secretary or any assistant secretary, of the Corporation be and they hereby are authorized and directed to prepare and file this Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations in accordance with the foregoing resolution and the provisions of Delaware law.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate this 13th day of February, 2024.

 

  /s/ Rob Phythian
  Name: Rob Phythian
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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ANNEX A

 

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

 

(To be Executed by the Registered Holder in order to Convert Shares of Preferred Stock)

 

The undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock indicated below into shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of SharpLink Gaming, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), according to the conditions hereof, as of the date written below. If shares of Common Stock are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes and expenses payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith such certificates and opinions as may be required by the Corporation or under applicable law.

 

Conversion calculations:

 

Date to Effect Conversion: ____________________________________________

 

Number and class of shares of Preferred Stock owned prior to Conversion: _______________

 

Number of and class of shares of Preferred Stock to be Converted: _______________________

 

Applicable Conversion Rate:__________________________________________

 

Number of shares of Common Stock to be Issued: __________________________

 

Number and class of shares of Preferred Stock subsequent to Conversion: _______________

 

Address for Delivery: _____________________

 

or

 

DWAC Instructions:

 

Broker no: _________

Account no: ___________

 

[HOLDER]  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

16

EX-3.4 5 ex3-4.htm

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

BYLAWS

OF

SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

 

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”), and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE SEAL

 

Section 3. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. The corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Delaware.” Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE III

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

Section 4. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

 

Section 5. Annual Meetings.

 

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may properly come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Except for nominations that are included in the Corporation’s annual meeting proxy statement to be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations or such other business must be: (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders (with respect to business other than nominations); (ii) brought specifically by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving the stockholder’s notice provided for in Section 5(b) of these Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (iii) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to submit other business (other than matters properly included in the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders and proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “1934 Act”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.

 

 

 

 

(i) For nominations of any person or persons for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) of these Bylaws and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c) of these Bylaws. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each nominee such stockholder proposes to nominate at the meeting: (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such nominee; (2) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee; (3) the class and number of shares of each class of capital stock of the corporation which are owned of record and beneficially by such nominee; (4) the date or dates on which such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition; (5) with respect to each nominee for election or re-election to the Board of Directors, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 5(e) of these Bylaws; and (6) such other information concerning such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv) of these Bylaws. The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.

 

(ii) For the proposals sought to be included in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act, for business other than nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) of these Bylaws, and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c) of these Bylaws. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material interest (including any anticipated benefit of such business to any Proponent (as defined below) other than solely as a result of its ownership of the corporation’s capital stock, that is material to any Proponent individually, or to the Proponents in the aggregate) in such business of any Proponent; and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv) of these Bylaws.

 

(iii) To be timely, the written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that, subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b)(iii), in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. To be timely, the written notice required by Section 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation at least 120 days before the anniversary of the date that the previous year’s proxy statement was first mailed to stockholders. If the annual meeting date has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of the prior year’s meeting, the proposal must be submitted within a reasonable time before the Corporation begins to print and mail its proxy materials. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(iv) The written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws shall also set forth, as of the date of the notice and as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (each, a “Proponent” and collectively, the “Proponents”): (A) the name and address of each Proponent, as they appear on the corporation’s books; (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each Proponent; (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether oral or in writing) with respect to such nomination or proposal between or among any Proponent and any of its affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert, or otherwise under the agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any of the foregoing; (D) a representation that the Proponents are holders of record or beneficial owners, as the case may be, of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws) or to propose the business that is specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws); (E) a representation as to whether the Proponents intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws) or to carry such proposal (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii) of these Bylaws); (F) to the extent known by any Proponent, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal on the date of such stockholder’s notice; and (G) a description of all Derivative Transactions (as defined below) by each Proponent during the previous 12 month period, including the date of the transactions and the class, series and number of securities involved in, and the material economic terms of, such Derivative Transactions. For purposes of Sections 5 and 6 of these Bylaws, a “Derivative Transaction” means any agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding entered into by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Proponent or any of its affiliates or associates, whether record or beneficial: (w) the value of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the corporation; (x) which otherwise provides any direct or indirect opportunity to gain or share in any gain derived from a change in the value of securities of the corporation; (y) the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit of security value or price changes; or (z) which provides the right to vote or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proponent, or any of its affiliates or associates, with respect to any securities of the corporation, which agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding may include, without limitation, any option, warrant, debt position, note, bond, convertible security, swap, stock appreciation right, short position, profit interest, hedge, right to dividends, voting agreement, performance-related fee or arrangement to borrow or lend shares (whether or not subject to payment, settlement, exercise or conversion in any such class or series), and any proportionate interest of such Proponent in the securities of the corporation held by any general or limited partnership, or any limited liability company, of which such Proponent is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

 

(c) A stockholder providing written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or (ii) of these Bylaws shall update and supplement such notice in writing, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct in all material respects as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is five business days prior to the meeting and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, five business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five business days after the record date for the meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than two business days prior to the date for the meeting, and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, two business days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting.

 

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(d) For nominations of any person or persons for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, the stockholder shall provide (i) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on which behalf the nomination is being made, (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned by such stockholder (beneficially and of record) and owned by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, as of the date of such stockholder’s notice, and a representation that such stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of the class and number of such shares owned of record and beneficially as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, (iii) a description of any agreement, arrangement, or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of such stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and any of their affiliates or associates, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of such person or any of their affiliates or associates with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, and a representation that such stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of any such agreement, arrangement, or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, (iv) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, (v) a representation whether such stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, will or is part of a group which will (1) to solicit proxies or votes in support of such director nominees or nomination in accordance with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and (2) to file and deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to solicit holders of at least 67% of the voting power of the shares entitled to elect director; (vi) the names and addresses of other stockholders (including beneficial and record owners) known by such stockholder to support the nomination, and to the extent known, the class and number of all shares of the Corporation’s capital stock owned beneficially or of record by such other stockholders, and (vi) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(e) To be eligible to be a nominee for election or re-election as a director of the corporation pursuant to a nomination under clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, such proposed nominee or a person on such proposed nominee’s behalf must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 5(b)(iii) or 5(d) of these Bylaws, as applicable) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such proposed nominee and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the corporation in the questionnaire or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director of the corporation that has not been disclosed therein; and (iii) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the corporation, and will comply with, all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, code of ethics, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the corporation. The written questionnaire must also include an acknowledgement by such nominee that such person consents to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director, if elected, and intends to serve as a director for the full term for which such person is standing for election.

 

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(f) A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director unless the person is nominated either in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws, or in accordance with clause (iii) of Section 5(a) of these Bylaws. Except as otherwise required by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, or the Proponent does not act in accordance with the representations in Sections 5(b)(iv)(D) and 5(b)(iv)(E) of these Bylaws, to declare that such proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominations or such business may have been solicited or received.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals and/or nominations to be considered pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii) of these Bylaws.

 

(h) For purposes of Sections 5 and 6 of these Bylaws,

 

(i) public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act; and

 

(ii) affiliates” and “associates” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

 

Section 6. Special Meetings.

 

(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).

 

(b) The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place, if any, of such special meeting. Upon determination of the time and place, if any, of the meeting, the Secretary shall cause a notice of meeting to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in the notice of meeting.

 

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(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in this paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who delivers written notice to the Secretary of the corporation setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws. In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder of record may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting, if written notice setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) of these Bylaws shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The stockholder shall also update and supplement such information as required under Section 5(c) of these Bylaws. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of a special meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 6. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be considered pursuant to Section 6(c) of these Bylaws.

 

Section 7. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice is deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notices of meetings otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, if sent via electronic transmission, in accordance with applicable law, notice is deemed given as of the sending time recorded at the time of transmission. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof, or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

 

Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by statute or by the corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”), or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of 33 1/3% of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by applicable stock exchange rules, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.

 

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Section 9. Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Section 10. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every person entitled to vote shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

Section 11. Joint Owners of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only one votes, his act binds all; (b) if more than one votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; or (c) if more than one votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of clause (c) of this Section 11 shall be a majority or even-split in interest.

 

Section 12. List of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of ten days ending on the day before the meeting date: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation.

 

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Section 13. [Reserved].

 

Section 14. Organization.

 

(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the President, or, if the President is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 15. Effect of Noncompliance with stockholder director nominations

 

(a) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article III shall be eligible to be elected at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such other business shall be conducted at a meeting as shall be brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article III. If any proposed nomination was not made or proposed in compliance with this Article III, or other business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Article III, then except as otherwise required by law, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed other business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, unless otherwise required by law, if a stockholder intending to propose business or make nominations at an annual meeting or propose a nomination at a special meeting pursuant to this Article III does not comply with or provide the information required to the Corporation, including the updated information within five business days after the record date for such meeting or such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present the proposed business or nominations, such business or nominations shall not be considered, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such business or nominations may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(b) Without limiting the other provisions and requirements of this Article III, unless otherwise required by law, if any stockholder (A) provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act and (B) subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act, then the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such stockholder’s nominees. Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

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ARTICLE IV

DIRECTORS

 

Section 15. Number and Term of Office. The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws.

 

Section 16. Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 17. [Reserved.]

 

Section 18. Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders, provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.

 

Section 19. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time. If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the time of delivery to the Secretary. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

Section 20. Removal. Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, except as prohibited by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the stockholders holding a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors may remove any director from office with or without cause.

 

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Section 21. Meetings.

 

(a) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware which has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

(b) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the authorized number of directors.

 

(c) Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

(d) Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least 24 hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by U.S. mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing, or by electronic transmission, at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

(e) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though it had been transacted at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance by a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board of Directors or committee meeting need be specified in any waiver of notice.

 

Section 22. Quorum and Voting.

 

(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with respect to questions related to indemnification arising under Section 45 of these Bylaws for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting.

 

(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

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Section 23. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 24. Fees and Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.

 

Section 25. Committees.

 

(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the corporation.

 

(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.

 

(c) Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 25, may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

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(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section 25 shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

 

Section 26. Duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

Section 27. Lead Independent Director. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if the Chairman is not an independent director, one of the independent directors, may be designated by the Board of Directors as lead independent director (“Lead Independent Director”) to serve until replaced by the Board of Directors. The Lead Independent Director will: with the Chairman of the Board of Directors, establish the agenda for regular Board meetings and serve as chairman of Board of Directors meetings in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors; establish the agenda for meetings of the independent directors; coordinate with the committee chairs regarding meeting agendas and informational requirements; preside over meetings of the independent directors; preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the evaluation or compensation of the Chief Executive Officer is presented or discussed; preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the performance of the Board of Directors is presented or discussed; and perform such other duties as may be established or delegated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 28. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Lead Independent Director, or if the Lead Independent Director is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or, if a Chief Executive Officer is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence, any Assistant Secretary or other officer or director directed to do so by the Chairman, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

Section 29. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and the Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 30. Tenure and Duties of Officers.

 

(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

(b) Duties of Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Lead Independent Director has been appointed and is present. Unless an officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. To the extent that a Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and no President has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the President shall be deemed references to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Lead Independent Director, or the Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and is present. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

 

(d) Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, the President shall designate from time to time.

 

(e) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers, as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant Secretary or other officer to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

(f) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. To the extent that a Chief Financial Officer has been appointed and no Treasurer has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the Treasurer shall be deemed references to the Chief Financial Officer. The President may direct the Treasurer, if any, or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

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(g) Duties of Treasurer. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the President, and, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

 

Section 31. Delegation of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

Section 32. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.

 

Section 33. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or by the Chief Executive Officer or by other superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VI

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

 

Section 34. Execution of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.

 

All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do.

 

Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

Section 35. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President.

 

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ARTICLE VII

SHARES OF STOCK

 

Section 36. Form and Execution of Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated if so provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors. Certificates for the shares of stock of the corporation, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by certificate in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President or any Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 37. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

 

Section 38. Transfers.

 

(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.

 

(b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

Section 39. Fixing Record Dates.

 

(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

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(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 40. Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VIII

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

 

Section 41. Execution of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 36 of these Bylaws), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE IX

DIVIDENDS

 

Section 42. Declaration of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

Section 43. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

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ARTICLE X

FISCAL YEAR

 

Section 44. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 45. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents.

 

(a) Directors and Officers. The corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under subsection (d).

 

(b) Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person (except for officers) or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer, of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or officer in connection with such proceeding provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 45 or otherwise.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 45, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the corporation in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

 

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(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and officers under this Section 45 shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Section 45 to a director or officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within 90 days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, the claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because the director or officer has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by a director or officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Section 45 or otherwise shall be on the corporation.

 

(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL, or by any other applicable law.

 

(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer, or, if applicable, employee or other agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 45.

 

(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Section 45 shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.

 

(i) Saving Clause. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Section 45 that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section 45 shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and officer to the full extent under any other applicable law.

 

C-18

 

 

(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(i) The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

 

(ii) The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

 

(iii) The term the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 45 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

(iv) References to a “director,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

(v) References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Section 45.

 

ARTICLE XII

NOTICES

 

Section 46. Notices.

 

(a) Notice to Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7 of these Bylaws. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by U.S. mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by electronic mail or other electronic means.

 

C-19

 

 

(b) Notice to Directors. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, or by overnight delivery service, facsimile, telex or telegram, except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director.

 

(c) Affidavit of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

 

(d) Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may

be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

 

(e) Notice to Person With Whom Communication is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

(f) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, any notice given under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the corporation within 60 days of having been given notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.

 

C-20

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 47. Amendments. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 45(h) of these Bylaws or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

ARTICLE XIV

LOANS TO OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES

 

Section 48. Loans to Officers or Employees. Except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

 

ARTICLE XV

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 49. Forum.

 

(a) Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate court therefrom shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following claims or causes of action under the Delaware statutory or common law: (A) any derivative claim or cause of action brought on behalf of the corporation; (B) any claim or cause of action for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of the corporation, to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders; (C) any claim or cause of action against the corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the corporation, arising out of or pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws(as each may be amended from time to time); (D) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); (E) any claim or cause of action as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and (F) any claim or cause of action against the corporation or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the corporation, governed by the internal-affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This Section 49 of Article XV shall not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

(b) Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the 1933 Act.

 

(c) Any person or entity holding, owning or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of these Bylaws.

 

C-21

 

EX-10.1 6 ex10-1.htm

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

February 12, 2024

Mr. Obie McKenzie

Via Email to: obielmckenzie@gmail.com

Dear Obie:

 

It is my sincere pleasure, on behalf of the entire Board of Directors, to invite you to become a Director of SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), effective February 14, 2024. As a member of the Board, we believe your notable experience and expertise will add an important perspective to the Board’s operations.

 

Position   You have been recommended and Board approved for appointment as an independent member of the Board of Directors of the Company and appointment to each of the Board committees, namely the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.
     
Base Board Compensation   In accordance with SharpLink’s Director Compensation Plan, you will receive an annual retainer of $30,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts of $7,500 at the end of each quarter for which you have provided service. Since this fee will not be subject to ordinary withholdings, you will be entirely responsible for the accounting and payment of any taxes that may be due as a result of this income to you.
     
Committee(s) Compensation   You have also been recommended and Board approved to serve as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and as a member of Audit Committee.  For your service on the Committees, you will receive additional annual cash compensation of $15,000, paid in equal quarterly amounts of $3,250 at the end of each quarter for which you have provided service.
     
Equity   On February 14, 2024, you will automatically be granted 40,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which shall vest in equal quarterly installments over one year (the “RSU Grant”), subject to your continued service as a director through each applicable vesting date, which are March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
     
Change of Control   The RSU Grant shall accelerate and vest in full upon a sale event resulting in a change of control, as further defined in our 2023 Equity Incentive Plan.  
     
Reimbursed Expenses   You will be reimbursed for normal out of pocket travel expenses incurred by you in your service as a Director, based upon an invoice submitted by you to the Company in a timely fashion.
     
Confidentiality   Execution of the attached Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement shall also form the basis of your agreement to join the Company’s Board of Directors.
     
Term   In accordance with SharpLink’s Certificate of Incorporation, you shall stand for re-election at each annual meeting of shareholders and shall serve until your successor is duly elected and qualified or until your earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Page 1 of 2

 

 

We look forward to hearing that you will join us in our mission to establish SharpLink Gaming, Inc. as a leading, industry respected affiliate marketing services company serving the global sports betting and casino gaming markets.

 

Sincerely,  
   
/s/ Rob Phythian  

Rob Phythian  
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  
     
Accepted By: /s/ Obie McKenzie  
  Obie McKenzie  
   
Date: February 12, 2024  

 

Page 2 of 2

 

EX-10.2 7 ex10-2.htm

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

February 11, 2024

Ms. Leslie Bernhard

Via Email to: lesbernard@gmail.com

Dear Leslie:

 

It is my sincere pleasure, on behalf of the entire Board of Directors, to invite you to become a Director of SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), effective February 14, 2024. As a member of the Board, we believe your notable experience and expertise will add an important perspective to the Board’s operations.

 

Position   You have been recommended and Board approved for appointment as an independent member of the Board of Directors of the Company and appointment to each of the Board committees, namely the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.
     
Base Board Compensation   In accordance with SharpLink’s Director Compensation Plan, you will receive an annual retainer of $30,000 paid in equal quarterly amounts of $7,500 at the end of each quarter for which you have provided service. Since this fee will not be subject to ordinary withholdings, you will be entirely responsible for the accounting and payment of any taxes that may be due as a result of this income to you.
     
Committee(s) Compensation   For your service as a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees, you will receive additional annual cash compensation of $10,000, paid in equal quarterly amounts of $2,500 at the end of each quarter for which you have provided service.
     
Equity   On February 14, 2024, you will automatically be granted 40,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which shall vest in equal quarterly installments over one year (the “RSU Grant”), subject to your continued service as a director through each applicable vesting date, which are March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
     
Change of Control   The RSU Grant shall accelerate and vest in full upon a sale event resulting in a change of control, as further defined in our 2023 Equity Incentive Plan.  
     
Reimbursed Expenses   You will be reimbursed for normal out of pocket travel expenses incurred by you in your service as a Director, based upon an invoice submitted by you to the Company in a timely fashion.
     
Confidentiality   Execution of the attached Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement shall also form the basis of your agreement to join the Company’s Board of Directors.
     
Term   In accordance with SharpLink’s Certificate of Incorporation, you shall stand for re-election at each annual meeting of shareholders and shall serve until your successor is duly elected and qualified or until your earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Page 1 of 2

 

 

We look forward to hearing that you will join us in our mission to establish SharpLink as a leading, industry respected affiliate marketing services company serving the global sports betting and casino gaming markets.

 

Sincerely,  
   
/s/ Rob Phythian  

Rob Phythian  
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  
     
Accepted By: /s/ Leslie Bernhard  
  Leslie Bernhard  
   
Date: February 11, 2024  

 

Page 2 of 2

 

EX-10.3 8 ex10-3.htm

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

 

This Confidentiality Agreement is entered into this 14th day of February, 2024 between SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), a Delaware Corporation, and Obie McKenzie (the “Director”).

 

WHEREAS, the Director has been elected to and has agreed to serve as an independent member of the Board of Directors of SharpLink;

 

WHEREAS, the undersigned acknowledges that a Director’s fiduciary duty includes the obligation to not disclose and to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information shared by SharpLink with Board Members in order to permit them to carry out their responsibilities as Directors;

 

WHEREAS, the parties agree that it is appropriate to enter into this Agreement by which the Director acknowledges his/her fiduciary duty to maintain, protect and not disclose the Confidential Information of SharpLink both during her term as Director and thereafter;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Confidential Information. As used herein, “Confidential Information” means all information furnished by SharpLink to the Director in connection with the performance by the Director of her Board responsibilities which should be reasonably understood by the Director to be confidential or proprietary information of SharpLink, whether furnished orally or in writing, and regardless of whether specifically identified as “confidential” and all notes, analyses, compilations, studies or other documents which contain or otherwise reflect such Confidential Information.

 

2. Confidential Information Exclusions. The provisions of this Agreement shall not apply to information in the public domain at the time it is shared with the Director; information that, after disclosure to the Director, becomes part of the public domain through dissemination by SharpLink; generic information or knowledge that the Director would have learned in the course of similar board experiences; and information which was not acquired directly or indirectly from SharpLink.

 

3. Non-Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information. The Director agrees that during her term as a Board Member and for two (2) years thereafter to:

 

(a) Hold in confidence and not to directly or indirectly disclose, disseminate, divulge, lecture upon, publish, report, reveal or transfer any Confidential Information to any person or entity;

 

1

 

 

(b) Not directly or indirectly make use of any Confidential Information except for the purposes of carrying out her responsibilities as a Director; and

 

(c) Not permit unauthorized use of any Confidential Information by any (c) person or entity.

 

4. Ownership and Return of Documents. All Confidential Information remains the exclusive property of SharpLink. SharpLink’s administrative staff will instruct the Director in the proper retention/destruction of Confidential Information which may have been supplied to him/her as part of her duties.

 

5. Enforcement. SharpLink’s executive management team, in consultation with its legal counsel and the Board of Directors, will determine whether a breach of this policy has occurred and how it will be addressed, including, if necessary, the pursuit of legal remedies by SharpLink.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Director and SharpLink have caused this Confidentiality Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

OBIE MCKENZIE   SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.
     
By: /s/ Obie McKenzie   By: /s/ Rob Phythian
  Obie McKenzie     Rob Phythian
      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

2

 

EX-10.4 9 ex10-4.htm

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

 

This Confidentiality Agreement is entered into this 14th day of February, 2024 between SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), a Delaware Corporation, and Leslie Bernhard (the “Director”).

 

WHEREAS, the Director has been elected to and has agreed to serve as an independent member of the Board of Directors of SharpLink;

 

WHEREAS, the undersigned acknowledges that a Director’s fiduciary duty includes the obligation to not disclose and to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information shared by SharpLink with Board Members in order to permit them to carry out their responsibilities as Directors;

 

WHEREAS, the parties agree that it is appropriate to enter into this Agreement by which the Director acknowledges his/her fiduciary duty to maintain, protect and not disclose the Confidential Information of SharpLink both during her term as Director and thereafter;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Confidential Information. As used herein, “Confidential Information” means all information furnished by SharpLink to the Director in connection with the performance by the Director of her Board responsibilities which should be reasonably understood by the Director to be confidential or proprietary information of SharpLink, whether furnished orally or in writing, and regardless of whether specifically identified as “confidential” and all notes, analyses, compilations, studies or other documents which contain or otherwise reflect such Confidential Information.

 

2. Confidential Information Exclusions. The provisions of this Agreement shall not apply to information in the public domain at the time it is shared with the Director; information that, after disclosure to the Director, becomes part of the public domain through dissemination by SharpLink; generic information or knowledge that the Director would have learned in the course of similar board experiences; and information which was not acquired directly or indirectly from SharpLink.

 

3. Non-Disclosure and Use of Confidential Information. The Director agrees that during her term as a Board Member and for two (2) years thereafter to:

 

(a) Hold in confidence and not to directly or indirectly disclose, disseminate, divulge, lecture upon, publish, report, reveal or transfer any Confidential Information to any person or entity;

 

1

 

 

(b) Not directly or indirectly make use of any Confidential Information except for the purposes of carrying out her responsibilities as a Director; and

 

(c) Not permit unauthorized use of any Confidential Information by any (c) person or entity.

 

4. Ownership and Return of Documents. All Confidential Information remains the exclusive property of SharpLink. SharpLink’s administrative staff will instruct the Director in the proper retention/destruction of Confidential Information which may have been supplied to him/her as part of her duties.

 

5. Enforcement. SharpLink’s executive management team, in consultation with its legal counsel and the Board of Directors, will determine whether a breach of this policy has occurred and how it will be addressed, including, if necessary, the pursuit of legal remedies by SharpLink.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Director and SharpLink have caused this Confidentiality Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

LESLIE BERNHARD   SHARPLINK GAMING, INC.
     
By: /s/ Leslie Bernhard   By: /s/ Rob Phythian
 

Leslie Bernhard

    Rob Phythian
      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

2

 

EX-99.1 10 ex99-1.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

SharpLink Gaming Ltd. Completes Domestication Merger with SharpLink Gaming, Inc.

 

MINNEAPOLIS – (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – February 13, 2024SharpLink Gaming Ltd. (Nasdaq: SBET) (“SharpLink Israel”) today announced that effective today, February 13, 2024, SharpLink Israel has completed its previously announced change of jurisdiction of incorporation from Israel to the State of Delaware through an agreement and plan of merger (“Merger Agreement”) with SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (“SharpLink US”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, which was approved by shareholders at an Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders held on December 6, 2023, SharpLink Merger Sub Ltd., an Israeli company and a wholly owned subsidiary of SharpLink US, has merged with and into SharpLink Israel, with SharpLink Israel surviving the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of SharpLink US.

 

Each outstanding ordinary and preferred share of SharpLink Israel will automatically be exchanged for one share of SharpLink US’s common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, and all outstanding options and warrants to purchase ordinary shares of SharpLink Israel will convert to the options and warrants to purchase the same number of shares of common stock of SharpLink US under similar terms. For more detailed information regarding the domestication merger, please refer to the definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 2023.

 

SharpLink US’s common stock will commence trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the same trading symbol, SBET, effective at the market open tomorrow, February 14, 2024. The new CUSIP number for SharpLink US’ common stock is 820014108.

 

Changes to Board of Directors

 

In connection with the completion of the domestication merger, Joseph Housman, Paul Abdo, Scott Pollei and Thomas Doering resigned as directors of SharpLink Israel and SharpLink US. Remaining on the SharpLink US board is Rob Phythian, CEO of SharpLink US, who has also been appointed as SharpLink US’ new Chairman; and Adrienne Anderson, an independent member of the Board, who will also serve as Chair of SharpLink US’s Audit Committee and as a member of the Compensation Committee. Obie McKenzie and Leslie Bernhard have been newly appointed to serve as independent members of SharpLink US’ Board of Directors. McKenzie will also serve as Chair of the Compensation Committee and member of the Audit Committee; and Bernhard will serve as a member of both the Audit and Compensation Committees.

 

About Obie McKenzie

 

Beginning in January 2019 through to the present, McKenzie has served as Vice Chairman of Cordiant Capital, a global infrastructure and real assets investment firm focused on digital infrastructure, renewable energy infrastructure and agriculture. In his role as Managing Director of BlackRock Inc. from January 2000 through December 2018, he was wholly responsible for managing relationships with some of the largest pension funds in the United States to include the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, New York City Employees’ Retirement System and the Federal Reserve Employee Benefits System, among others.

 

 

 

 

During his accomplished career, McKenzie served as Managing Director at Merrill Lynch from 1990 through 2006; Executive Director at UBS Asset Management and Managing Director at Chase Investors from 1987 through 1990; as well as Founder and President of McKenzie & Company, an NASD registered broker-dealer from 1984 through 1987. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, he held positions at Citibank, Chemical Bank and Freedom National Bank as a commercial banker. McKenzie was also Manager of Banking and Pensions at The New York Times in 1975 and began his career as a Corporate Finance Associate for Morgan Stanley in 1972.

 

McKenzie was a founding board member of the National Association of Securities Professionals, where he received the “Wall Street Hall of Fame Award” in 2001. In 2010, he received the AIMSE Richard A. Lothrop Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition for his outstanding achievements in the investment management industry and his community. In 2011, McKenzie was named by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the 75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street; and in 2013, he was named Public Fund Marketer of the Year by Money Management Intelligence. McKenzie earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

 

About Leslie Bernhard

 

Bernhard has served as chairman of the board of Nasdaq-listed Nexalin Technology, Inc. since November 2023. From February 2017 through the present, she has also been an independent director of Sachem Capital Corp., a NYSE American-listed REIT real estate investment trust). In addition, she has served as the non-executive chairman of the board of Milestone Scientific Inc. (‘Milestone”), an NYSE American-listed developer and manufacturer of medical and dental devices, since October 2009, and as an independent director of Milestone since May 2003. She also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Milestone from October 2017 to December 2017. From 2007 through September 2018, Bernhard was an independent director of Universal Power Group, Inc., a global supplier of power solutions (“UPG”), and since September 2018, she has been serving as a consultant to UPG. In 1986, she co-founded AdStar, Inc., an electronic ad intake service to the newspaper industry, and served as its president, chief executive officer and executive director until 2012.

 

Earlier in her career, Bernhard held management positions at Revlon, Inc., Walt Disney Productions, Inc. and the Gillette Company. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from St. John’s University.

 

Rob Phythian, Chairman and CEO of SharpLink US, stated, “The completion of the domestication merger represents an exclamation mark on the end of a series of strategic initiatives that SharpLink has successfully executed over the past several months, including completing the equity sale of our fantasy sports and free-to-play sports game development business for $22.5 million; retiring all of our interest-bearing debt; regaining full compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing standards; and positioning our Company to be a pure-play performance marketing company focused on serving the sports betting and casino gaming industries. We believe that the extraordinary time, effort and resources that we’ve dedicated to these initiatives has resulted in our establishing a solid foundation on which we hope to build and optimize value creation for our shareholders as we move into the next chapter of SharpLink’s evolutionary process.”

 

“I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to SharpLink Israel’s former Board of Directors, whose tireless commitment to our Company over the past several years was a defining factor in our achieving numerous mission critical objectives. Looking forward, through the continued guidance and support of Adrienne, complemented by the new Board appointments of Obie and Leslie, SharpLink US has a highly accomplished, diverse and motivated new leadership team in place that is expected to measurably impact our Company as the future of our business continues to unfold,” concluded Phythian.

 

 

 

 

About SharpLink Gaming Ltd.

 

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, SharpLink Israel is an online performance marketing company that delivers unique fan activation solutions to its sportsbook and casino partners. Through its iGaming and affiliate marketing network, known as PAS.net, SharpLink Israel focuses on driving qualified traffic and player acquisitions, retention and conversions to U.S. regulated and global iGaming operator partners worldwide. In fact, PAS.net won industry recognition as the European online gambling industry’s Top Affiliate Website and Top Affiliate Program for four consecutive years by both igamingbusiness.com and igamingaffiliate.com. For more information, please visit www.sharplink.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding SharpLink Israel’s ability to grow its business, the potential benefits of SharpLink Israel’s products, services and technologies and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including without limitation, SharpLink Israel’s ability to achieve profitable operations, government regulation of online betting, customer acceptance of new products and services, the demand for its products and its customers’ economic condition, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the lengthy sales cycle, proprietary rights of SharpLink Israel and its competitors, general economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in SharpLink Israel’s annual report and other filings with the SEC. SharpLink Israel does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

INVESTOR AND MEDIA RELATIONS

 

ir@sharplink.com

 

 

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