Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions	10. Related Party Transactions Principal Stockholder Employment Agreement In June 2011, we entered into a new employment agreement with Edward K. Christian, Chairman, President and CEO, which became effective as of June 1, 2011, and replaced and superseded his prior employment agreement. We entered into amendments to the agreement on February 12, 2016 (the “First Amendment”) and February 26, 2019 (the “Second Amendment”). The First Amendment extended the term of the employment agreement to March 31, 2021. The First Amendment also states that on each anniversary of the effective date of the employment agreement, the Compensation Committee shall determine in its discretion the amount of any annual increases (which shall not be less than the greater of 4% or a defined cost of living increase). Mr. Christian may defer any or all of his annual salary. The Second Amendment extends the term of the employment agreement from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2025 and also makes certain clarifying modifications to the employment agreement. Under the agreement, Mr. Christian is eligible for discretionary and performance bonuses, stock options and/or stock grants in amounts determined by the Compensation Committee and will continue to participate in our benefit plan. We will maintain insurance policies, will furnish an automobile, will pay for an executive medical plan and will maintain an office for Mr. Christian at our principal executive offices and in Sarasota County, Florida. The First Amendment adds that we are authorized to pay for Mr. Christian’s tax preparation services on an annual basis and that this amount will be subject to income tax as additional compensation. The agreement provides certain payments to Mr. Christian in the event of his disability, death or a change in control. Upon a change in control, Mr. Christian may terminate his employment. The agreement also provides generally that, upon a change in control, we will pay Mr. Christian an amount equal to 2.99 times the average of his total annual salary and bonuses for each of the three immediately preceding periods of twelve consecutive months, plus an additional amount for tax liabilities, related to the payment. For the three years ended December 31, 2020 Mr. Christian’s average annual compensation, as defined by the employment agreement, was approximately $1,862,000. In addition, if Mr. Christian’s employment is terminated for any reason, other than for cause, we will continue to provide health insurance and medical reimbursement and maintain existing life insurance policies for a period of ten years, and the current split dollar life insurance policy shall be transferred to Mr. Christian and his wife, and we shall reimburse Mr. Christian for any tax consequences of such transfer. The agreement contains a covenant not to compete restricting Mr. Christian from competing with us in any of our markets if he voluntarily terminates his employment with us or is terminated for cause, for a three year period thereafter. The first amendment also entitles Mr. Christian to receive severance pay equal to 100% of his then base salary for 24 months payable in equal monthly installments and after the date upon which notice of termination is given, any unvested or time-vested stock options previously granted to Mr. Christian by us become immediately one hundred percent (100%) vested to the extent permitted by law. On December 14, 2018, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $100,000 of his 2019 salary to be paid 100% on January 3, 2020. On December 6, 2019, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $100,000 of his 2020 salary to be paid 100% on January 15, 2021. On December 16, 2020, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $100,000 of his 2021 salary which will be paid 100% on January 15, 2022. Change in Control Agreements In December 2007, Samuel D. Bush, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Marcia K. Lobaito, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director of Business Affairs, and Catherine Bobinski, Senior Vice President/Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, entered into Change in Control Agreements. In September 2018, Christopher S. Forgy, Senior Vice President of Operations entered into a Change in Control Agreement. In July 2020, Eric Christian, Vice President of Digital Strategies entered into a Change in Control Agreement. Eric Christian is the son of Edward K. Christian, our President, CEO and Chairman. A change in control is defined to mean the occurrence of (a) any person or group becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities and Mr. Christian ceasing to be Chairman and CEO of the Company; (b) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent more than 50% of the combined voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity; or (c) the approval of the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets. If there is a change in control, the Company shall pay a lump sum payment within 45 days there of 1.5 times the average of the executive’s last three full calendar years of such executive’s base salary and any annual cash bonus paid. In the event that such payment constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G subject to an excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company shall pay the executive an additional amount so that the executive will receive the entire amount of the lump sum payment before deduction for federal, state and local income tax and payroll tax. In the event of a change in control (other than the approval of plan of liquidation), the Company or the surviving entity may require as a condition to receipt of payment that the executive continue in employment for a period of up to six months after consummation of the change in control. During such six months, executive will continue to earn his pre-existing salary and benefits. In such case, the executive shall be paid the lump sum payment upon completion of the continued employment. If, however, the executive fails to remain employed during this period of continued employment for any reason other than (a) termination without cause by the Company or the surviving entity, (b) death, (c) disability or (d) breach of the agreement by the Company or the surviving entity, then executive shall not be paid the lump sum payment. In addition, if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause within six months prior to the consummation of a change in control, then the executive shall be paid the lump sum payment within 45 days of such change in control. Other Related Party Transactions Saga South Communications, LL (formerly, Saga Quad States), our fully owned subsidiary, completed the acquisition from Apex Media Corporation, a South Carolina corporation (“AMC”), and Pearce Development, LLC f/k/a Apex Real Property, LLC, a South Carolina limited liability company (“ARP” and together with AMC, “Seller”), of substantially all of Seller’s assets related to the operation of certain radio and translator stations, upon the satisfaction of certain closing conditions described in the Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 9, 2017 (the “Apex Agreement”) by and among Seller, Saga South Communications, LLC, and, solely in his role as guarantor under the Apex Agreement, G. Dean Pearce, as further described in the Form 8-K filed by Saga on May 10, 2017. Mr. Pearce is President of AMC and ARP, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Saga. The purchase price under the Apex Agreement was $23,000,000, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, payable in cash. The purchase price was determined through arm’s-length negotiations, and was approved by the Saga Board, and Finance and Audit Committee, in accordance with the requirements of Saga’s Corporate Governance Guidelines for the review of related party transactions. In connection with this agreement, we received 500 hours of service from New Pointe Systems, a subsidiary of Pearce Development and have agreed to provide 1,000, 30 second, spots of airtime to Pearce Development. As of December 31, 2020, the obligations from this agreement have been fulfilled. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, we also paid approximately $4,100, $4,400 and $4,100 rent per month, respectively to Pearce Development for our Hilton Head studio and office space beginning September 1, 2017. Effective June 19, 2019, we employed Eric Christian, son of Edward K. Christian, our President, CEO and Chairman, as our Director of Solution Architecture. The Audit Committee approved the employment of Mr. Christian and in July 2020 approved his promotion to Vice President of Digital Strategies.

Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

10. Related Party Transactions

Principal Stockholder Employment Agreement

In June 2011, we entered into a new employment agreement with Edward K. Christian, Chairman, President and CEO, which became effective as of June 1, 2011, and replaced and superseded his prior employment agreement. We entered into amendments to the agreement on February 12, 2016 (the “First Amendment”) and February 26, 2019 (the “Second Amendment”). The First Amendment extended the term of the employment agreement to March 31, 2021. The First Amendment also states that on each anniversary of the effective date of the employment agreement, the Compensation Committee shall determine in its discretion the amount of any annual increases (which shall not be less than the greater of 4% or a defined cost of living increase). Mr. Christian may defer any or all of his annual salary. The Second Amendment extends the term of the employment agreement from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2025 and also makes certain clarifying modifications to the employment agreement.

Under the agreement, Mr. Christian is eligible for discretionary and performance bonuses, stock options and/or stock grants in amounts determined by the Compensation Committee and will continue to participate in our benefit plan. We will maintain insurance policies, will furnish an automobile, will pay for an executive medical plan and will maintain an office for Mr. Christian at our principal executive offices and in Sarasota County, Florida. The First Amendment adds that we are authorized to pay for Mr. Christian’s tax preparation services on an annual basis and that this amount will be subject to income tax as additional compensation. The agreement provides certain payments to Mr. Christian in the event of his disability, death or a change in control. Upon a change in control, Mr. Christian may terminate his employment. The agreement also provides generally that, upon a change in control, we will pay Mr. Christian an amount equal to 2.99 times the average of his total annual salary and bonuses for each of the three immediately preceding periods of twelve consecutive months, plus an additional amount for tax liabilities, related to the payment. For the three years ended December 31, 2020 Mr. Christian’s average annual compensation, as defined by the employment agreement, was approximately $1,862,000.

In addition, if Mr. Christian’s employment is terminated for any reason, other than for cause, we will continue to provide health insurance and medical reimbursement and maintain existing life insurance policies for a period of ten years, and the current split dollar life insurance policy shall be transferred to Mr. Christian and his wife, and we shall reimburse Mr. Christian for any tax consequences of such transfer. The agreement contains a covenant not to compete restricting Mr. Christian from competing with us in any of our markets if he voluntarily terminates his employment with us or is terminated for cause, for a three year period thereafter. The first amendment also entitles Mr. Christian to receive severance pay equal to 100% of his then base salary for 24 months payable in equal monthly installments and after the date upon which notice of termination is given, any unvested or time-vested stock options previously granted to Mr. Christian by us become immediately one hundred percent (100%) vested to the extent permitted by law.

On December 14, 2018, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $100,000 of his 2019 salary to be paid 100% on January 3, 2020. On December 6, 2019, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $100,000 of his 2020 salary to be paid 100% on January 15, 2021. On December 16, 2020, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $100,000 of his 2021 salary which will be paid 100% on January 15, 2022.

Change in Control Agreements

In December 2007, Samuel D. Bush, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Marcia K. Lobaito, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director of Business Affairs, and Catherine Bobinski, Senior Vice President/Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, entered into Change in Control Agreements. In September 2018, Christopher S. Forgy, Senior Vice President of Operations entered into a Change in Control Agreement. In July 2020, Eric Christian, Vice President of Digital Strategies entered into a Change in Control Agreement. Eric Christian is the son of Edward K. Christian, our President, CEO and Chairman. A change in control is defined to mean the occurrence of (a) any person or group becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities and Mr. Christian ceasing to be Chairman and CEO of the Company; (b) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent more than 50% of the combined voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity; or (c) the approval of the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets.

If there is a change in control, the Company shall pay a lump sum payment within 45 days there of 1.5 times the average of the executive’s last three full calendar years of such executive’s base salary and any annual cash bonus paid. In the event that such payment constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G subject to an excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company shall pay the executive an additional amount so that the executive will receive the entire amount of the lump sum payment before deduction for federal, state and local income tax and payroll tax. In the event of a change in control (other than the approval of plan of liquidation), the Company or the surviving entity may require as a condition to receipt of payment that the executive continue in employment for a period of up to six months after consummation of the change in control. During such six months, executive will continue to earn his pre-existing salary and benefits. In such case, the executive shall be paid the lump sum payment upon completion of the continued employment. If, however, the executive fails to remain employed during this period of continued employment for any reason other than (a) termination without cause by the Company or the surviving entity, (b) death, (c) disability or (d) breach of the agreement by the Company or the surviving entity, then executive shall not be paid the lump sum payment. In addition, if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause within six months prior to the consummation of a change in control, then the executive shall be paid the lump sum payment within 45 days of such change in control.

Other Related Party Transactions

Saga South Communications, LL (formerly, Saga Quad States), our fully owned subsidiary, completed the acquisition from Apex Media Corporation, a South Carolina corporation (“AMC”), and Pearce Development, LLC f/k/a Apex Real Property, LLC, a South Carolina limited liability company (“ARP” and together with AMC, “Seller”), of substantially all of Seller’s assets related to the operation of certain radio and translator stations, upon the satisfaction of certain closing conditions described in the Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 9, 2017 (the “Apex Agreement”) by and among Seller, Saga South Communications, LLC, and, solely in his role as guarantor under the Apex Agreement, G. Dean Pearce, as further described in the Form 8-K filed by Saga on May 10, 2017. Mr. Pearce is President of AMC and ARP, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Saga. The purchase price under the Apex Agreement was $23,000,000, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, payable in cash. The purchase price was determined through arm’s-length negotiations, and was approved by the Saga Board, and Finance and Audit Committee, in accordance with the requirements of Saga’s Corporate Governance Guidelines for the review of related party transactions. In connection with this agreement, we received 500 hours of service from New Pointe Systems, a subsidiary of Pearce Development and have agreed to provide 1,000, 30 second, spots of airtime to Pearce Development. As of December 31, 2020, the obligations from this agreement have been fulfilled. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, we also paid approximately $4,100, $4,400 and $4,100 rent per month, respectively to Pearce Development for our Hilton Head studio and office space beginning September 1, 2017.

Effective June 19, 2019, we employed Eric Christian, son of Edward K. Christian, our President, CEO and Chairman, as our Director of Solution Architecture. The Audit Committee approved the employment of Mr. Christian and in July 2020 approved his promotion to Vice President of Digital Strategies.