Back to top

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Agreement and Plan of Merger

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER | Document Parties: DICKS SPORTING GOODS INC | GOLF GALAXY, INC | YANKEES ACQUISITION CORP. You are currently viewing:
This Agreement and Plan of Merger involves

DICKS SPORTING GOODS INC | GOLF GALAXY, INC | YANKEES ACQUISITION CORP.

. RealDealDocs™ contains millions of easily searchable legal documents and clauses from top law firms. Search for free - click here.
Title: AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Governing Law: Minnesota     Date: 11/14/2006
Industry: Retail (Specialty)     Law Firm: Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.;Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC    

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, Parties: dicks sporting goods inc , golf galaxy  inc , yankees acquisition corp.
50 of the Top 250 law firms use our Products every day
 

Exhibit 2.1

EXECUTION COPY

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 13, 2006

AMONG

GOLF GALAXY, INC.

YANKEES ACQUISITION CORP.

AND

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

 

NAME OF SURVIVING CORPORATION, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS

 

 

2

 

 

 

1.1

 

Name of Surviving Corporation

 

 

2

 

 

 

1.2

 

Articles of Incorporation

 

 

2

 

 

 

1.3

 

Bylaws; Directors and Officers

 

 

2

 

 

 

1.4

 

Effective Time

 

 

2

 

 

 

1.5

 

Closing

 

 

3

 

 

 

1.6

 

Effects of the Merger

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

COMPANY ACTIONS AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

 

 

3

 

 

 

2.1

 

Company Approval

 

 

3

 

 

 

2.2

 

Company Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

STATUS AND CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

 

 

6

 

 

 

3.1

 

Conversion of Company Common Stock

 

 

6

 

 

 

3.2

 

Exchange of Share Certificates

 

 

7

 

 

 

3.3

 

Company Stock Options, Warrants and Other Stock Plans

 

 

9

 

 

 

3.4

 

Dissenters and Appraisal Rights

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS

 

 

11

 

 

 

4.1

 

Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company

 

 

12

 

 

 

4.2

 

Representations, Warranties and Agreements of Parent

 

 

30

 

 

 

4.3

 

Representations and Warranties of Subsidiary

 

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

5.1

 

Covenants of the Company

 

 

33

 

 

 

5.2

 

Covenants of Parent

 

 

39

 

 

 

5.3

 

Covenants of Subsidiary

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

 

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING; ABANDONMENT AND TERMINATION

 

 

42

 

 

 

6.1

 

Conditions to the Company’s Closing and Its Right to Abandon

 

 

42

 

 

 

6.2

 

Conditions to Parent’s and Subsidiary’s Closing and Right of Parent and Subsidiary to Abandon

 

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

 

TERMINATION

 

 

44

 

 

 

7.1

 

Terms

 

 

44

 

 

 

7.2

 

Effect of Termination

 

 

46

 

i


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

 

TERMINATION FEE AND EXPENSES

 

 

46

 

 

 

8.1

 

Termination Fee

 

 

46

 

 

 

8.2

 

Costs and Expenses

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

47

 

 

 

9.1

 

Certification of the Company’s Shareholder Votes, etc.

 

 

47

 

 

 

9.2

 

Termination of Covenants, Representations and Warranties

 

 

47

 

 

 

9.3

 

Execution in Counterparts

 

 

48

 

 

 

9.4

 

Waivers and Amendments

 

 

48

 

 

 

9.5

 

Confidentiality

 

 

48

 

 

 

9.6

 

Notices

 

 

48

 

 

 

9.7

 

Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries; Rights of Ownership

 

 

49

 

 

 

9.8

 

Governing Law

 

 

49

 

 

 

9.9

 

No Remedy in Certain Circumstances

 

 

49

 

 

 

9.10

 

Publicity

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Voting Agreement

 

 

 

 

ii


 

GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition Agreement

 

Section 5.1.8(c)

Agreement

 

Recitals

Articles of Merger

 

Section 1.4

Assumed Options

 

Section 3.3.1

Assumed Warrants

 

Section 3.3.4(b)

August 26, 2006 Balance Sheet

 

Section 4.1.2

CERCLA

 

Section 4.1.21(b)

Certificate

 

Section 3.2.2

Closing

 

Section 1.5

Closing Date

 

Section 1.5

Code

 

Section 4.1.14

Company

 

Recitals

Company Benefit Plans

 

Section 4.1.13(a)

Company Board

 

Section 2.1

Company Common Stock

 

Recitals

Company Disclosure Letter

 

Section 4.1

Company Employees

 

Section 5.2.3(a)

Company ERISA Affiliate

 

Section 4.1.13(e)

Company Financial Advisor

 

Section 2.1

Company Improvements

 

Section 4.1.17(g)

Company IT Systems

 

Section 4.1.19(b)

Company Leased Real Property

 

Section 4.1.17(b)

Company Leases

 

Section 4.1.17(b)

Company Licensed Intellectual Property

 

Section 4.1.22(b)

Company Material Adverse Effect

 

Section 4.1.2

Company Material Breach

 

Section 7.1(e)

Company Option Plans

 

Recitals

Company Outstanding Shares

 

Section 3.2.1

Company Owned Intellectual Property

 

Section 4.1.22(b)

Company Owned Real Property

 

Section 4.1.17(a)

Company Owned Registered Intellectual Property

 

Section 4.1.22(b)

Company Owned Software

 

Section 4.1.22(c)

Company Permits

 

Section 4.1.8(a)

Company Preferred Stock

 

Recitals

Company Real Property

 

Section 4.1.17(c)

Company Real Property Permits

 

Section 4.1.17(h)

Company SEC Reports

 

Section 4.1.2

Constituent Corporations

 

Recitals

Conversion Fraction

 

Section 3.3.2(a)

Dissenting Shares

 

Section 3.4

Effective Time

 

Section 1.4

Environment

 

Section 4.1.21(d)

Environmental Laws

 

Section 4.1.21(a)

ERISA

 

Section 4.1.13(a)

Exchange Act

 

Section 2.2.3

Exchange Fund

 

Section 3.2.1

Excluded Person

 

Section 5.1.8(a)

Financial Statements

 

Section 4.1.2

Form S-1

 

Section 4.1.7

Four Wall Cash Contribution

 

Section 4.1.18

GAAP

 

Section 4.1.2

Governmental Entity

 

Section 4.1.6

Hazardous Materials

 

Section 4.1.21(a)

HSR Act

 

Section 4.1.6

Indemnified Parties

 

Section 5.2.2(a)

Intellectual Property

 

Section 4.1.22(b)

In-The-Money Options

 

Section 3.3.1

Law

 

Section 4.1.25(a)

Material Adverse Effect

 

Section 4.1.2

Material Contract

 

Section 4.1.24

MBCA

 

Recitals

MBCA Dissenters’ Rights

 

Section 2.2.1

Merger

 

Recitals

Merger Consideration

 

Section 3.1.3

NASDAQ

 

Section 2.2.3

NLRB

 

Section 4.1.16

Operating Expenses

 

Section 4.1.18

Out-of-The-Money Options

 

Section 3.3.1

Parent

 

Recitals

Parent Common Stock

 

Section 3.3.1

Parent Material Adverse Effect

 

Section 4.1.2

Parent Material Breach

 

Section 7.1(g)

Paying Agent

 

Section 3.2.1

Person

 

Section 3.2.2

Prospects

 

Section 4.1.2

Proxy Statement

 

Section 2.2.1

Release

 

Section 4.1.21(d)

Representatives

 

Section 5.1.8 (a)

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

Section 4.1.8(b)

SEC

 

Section 2.2.1

Securities Act

 

Section 4.1.2

Solicitation Period End Date

 

Section 5.1.8(a)

Special Shareholders Meeting

 

Section 2.2.2

Stock Options

 

Section 3.3.1

Subsidiary

 

Recitals

Subsidiary Common Stock

 

Recitals

Superior Proposal

 

Section 5.1.8(d)

Surviving Corporation

 

Recitals

Surviving Corporation Common Stock

 

Section 3.1.1

Takeover Laws

 

Section 2.1

Takeover Proposal

 

Section 5.1.8(e)

Taxes

 

Section 4.1.14

Tax Return

 

Section 4.1.14

Termination Fee

 

Section 8.1(a)

Voting Agreement

 

Recitals

Warrants

 

Section 3.3.4

i


 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

     THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of November 13, 2006, by and among Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”), Yankees Acquisition Corp., a Minnesota corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (the “ Subsidiary ”), and Golf Galaxy, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “ Company ” and where the context requires, the “Company” means the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries) (the Subsidiary and the Company sometimes being referred to hereinafter as the “ Constituent Corporations ”).

RECITALS:

     1. The Boards of Directors of each of Parent, Subsidiary and the Company have resolved and approved that Subsidiary be merged with and into the Company (the Company, in its capacity as the surviving corporation, is sometimes referred to herein as the “ Surviving Corporation ”) under and pursuant to the Minnesota Business Corporation Act (“ MBCA ”);

     2. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “ Company Common Stock ”), of which 11,125,511 shares are issued and outstanding and no shares are held in the treasury of the Company and 10,000,000 shares of convertible preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (collectively, the “ Company Preferred Stock ”), of which no shares are issued and outstanding;

     3. Section 1 of the Company Disclosure Letter (as hereinafter defined) lists, as of the date hereof as to each Stock Option (as hereinafter defined), the holder of the Stock Option, date of grant, exercise price and number of shares subject thereto granted pursuant to the Company’s 1996 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (collectively, the “ Company Option Plans ”);

     4. The authorized capital stock of Subsidiary consists of (i) 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Subsidiary Common Stock ”), of which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding and owned by Parent;

     5. The Parent, as sole holder of all of the Subsidiary Common Stock, has approved the Merger (as hereinafter defined) of the Constituent Corporations upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth and has approved this Agreement;

     6. The Merger of the Constituent Corporations is permitted pursuant to the MBCA; and

     7. Immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement and as a condition and inducement to Parent’s and Subsidiary’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, Parent and Subsidiary are simultaneously entering into a shareholder voting agreement substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “ Voting Agreement ”) with certain holders of shares of Company Common Stock, pursuant to which (i) such shareholders are, among other things,

 


 

agreeing to vote all of such shareholders’ shares of Company Common Stock in favor of the Merger upon the terms and conditions specified therein, and (ii) such shareholders are agreeing to certain restrictive covenants.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree that the Company and Subsidiary shall be, at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), merged in accordance with the MBCA (hereinafter called the “ Merger ”) into a single corporation existing under the laws of the State of Minnesota, whereby the Company, one of the Constituent Corporations, shall be the Surviving Corporation, and the parties hereto adopt and agree to the following agreements, terms and conditions relating to the Merger and the mode of carrying the same into effect.

1. NAME OF SURVIVING CORPORATION, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS.

     1.1 Name of Surviving Corporation .

          The name of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time shall be “Golf Galaxy, Inc.”

     1.2 Articles of Incorporation .

          The Articles of Incorporation of the Subsidiary as in effect on the date hereof shall from and after the Effective Time be and continue to be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until changed or amended as provided by law.

     1.3 Bylaws; Directors and Officers .

          Without any further action by the Company and Subsidiary, the Bylaws of the Subsidiary, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall from and after the Effective Time be and continue to be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until amended as provided therein. The directors of Subsidiary at the Effective Time and the officers of the Company shall at the Effective Time, from and after the Effective Time, be the initial directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

1.4 Effective Time .

          Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Parent, Subsidiary and the Company shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing articles of merger in accordance with Section 302A.615 of the MBCA (the “ Articles of Merger ”) on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.5). The Merger shall become effective immediately upon such filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota, which date and time are herein referred to as the “ Effective Time .”

2


 

     1.5 Closing .

          Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the “ Closing ”) shall occur at the offices of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., 2800 LaSalle Plaza, 800 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402 or at such other location as is mutually agreed to by the parties hereto. The Closing shall occur at a time and date (the “ Closing Date ”) to be specified by Parent, which shall be no later than the fifth business day following satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6, which date in no event shall be prior to February 6, 2007, unless another time or date is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.

     1.6 Effects of the Merger .

          The Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 302A.641 of the MBCA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, the separate existence of the Subsidiary shall cease, and the Subsidiary shall be merged with and into the Company which, as the Surviving Corporation, shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises of a public as well as of a private nature, and be subject to all the restrictions, disabilities and duties of each of the Constituent Corporations; and all rights, privileges, powers and franchises of each of the Constituent Corporations, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to either of the Constituent Corporations on whatever account, as well as for stock subscriptions and all other things in action or belonging to each of such Constituent Corporations, shall be vested in the Surviving Corporation; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises, and all and every other interest shall be thereafter as effectively the property of the Surviving Corporation as they were of the Constituent Corporations, and the title to any real estate vested by deed or otherwise, under the laws of Minnesota or any other jurisdiction, in any of the Constituent Corporations, shall not revert or be in any way impaired; but all rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of any of the Constituent Corporations shall be preserved unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Constituent Corporations shall be assumed by and thenceforth attach to the Surviving Corporation and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it. At any time, or from time to time, after the Effective Time, the last acting officers of the Company, or the corresponding officers of the Surviving Corporation, may, in the name of the Company, execute and deliver all such proper deeds, assignments, and other instruments and take or cause to be taken all such further or other action as the Surviving Corporation may deem necessary or desirable in order to vest, perfect, or confirm in the Surviving Corporation title to and possession of all of the Company’s property, rights, privileges, powers, franchises, immunities, and interests and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

2. COMPANY ACTIONS AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

     2.1 Company Approval .

          The Company hereby represents and warrants that the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Company Board ”), at a meeting duly called and held, has (i) unanimously approved and adopted the “plan of merger” (as such term is used in Section 302A.611 of the

3


 

MBCA) contained in this Agreement, (ii) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, taken together, are at a price and on terms that are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, (iii) resolved (subject to Section 5.1.8 hereof) to recommend that holders of Company Common Stock adopt and approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, (iv) irrevocably taken all necessary steps to cause Section 302A.673 of the MBCA to be inapplicable to Parent and Subsidiary and to the Merger and the acquisition of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger and (v) resolved to elect, to the extent of the Board’s power and authority and to the extent permitted by law, not to be subject to any other “moratorium”, “control share acquisition”, “business combination”, “fair price” or other form of anti-takeover laws and regulations (collectively, “ Takeover Laws ”) of any jurisdiction that may purport to be applicable to this Agreement. Piper Jaffray & Co., independent financial advisor to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Company Financial Advisor ”), has advised the Company’s Board of Directors that, in its opinion, the Merger Consideration to be paid in the Merger to the Company’s shareholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders.

     2.2 Company Shareholders’ Meeting .

          2.2.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company, acting through the Company Board, shall as promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement (such proxy statement, as amended and supplemented, the “ Proxy Statement ”) relating to the Merger and this Agreement and use its reasonable best efforts to (x) obtain and furnish the information required to be included by applicable federal securities laws (and the rules and regulations thereunder) in the Proxy Statement and, after consultation with Parent, Subsidiary and their counsel, to respond promptly to any comments received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) with respect to the preliminary Proxy Statement and promptly cause to be mailed to the Company’s shareholders a definitive Proxy Statement, a copy of this Agreement or a summary thereof and a copy of Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA (relating to dissenters’ rights) (the “ MBCA Dissenters’ Rights ”) and (y) obtain the necessary approval by its shareholders of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.

          2.2.2 The Company, acting through its Board of Directors, as promptly as practicable following the SEC’s review, if any, of the preliminary Proxy Statement, shall duly call a special meeting of its shareholders (the “ Special Shareholders Meeting ”) to be held in accordance with the MBCA at the earliest practicable date, upon due notice thereof to its shareholders, to consider and vote upon, among other matters, the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Merger. The Board of Directors will recommend the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and will use its reasonable best efforts, consistent with its fiduciary duties, to solicit the requisite vote of the Company’s shareholders to adopt and approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, pursuant to the Proxy Statement.

4


 

          2.2.3 The Company, Parent and Subsidiary shall cooperate with each other in the Company’s preparation of its Proxy Statement. Parent, Subsidiary and their counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon the Proxy Statement (and shall provide any comments thereon as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five (5) business days after being asked to comment) prior to the applicable filing thereof with the SEC. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of (i) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “ Exchange Act ”) and (ii) the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“ NASDAQ ”). The Company shall provide Parent, Subsidiary and their counsel with copies of any written comments or other material communications the Company or its counsel receives from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement promptly after receipt of such comments or other material communications, and with copies of any written responses to and telephonic notification of any material verbal responses received from the SEC or its staff by the Company or its counsel with respect to the Proxy Statement. Each of Parent and the Company agrees to correct any information provided by it for use in the Proxy Statement which, to the Company’s knowledge (in the case of information provided by the Company) or to Parent’s knowledge (in the case of information provided by Parent), shall have become false or misleading in any material respect. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, after consultation with Parent, to resolve all SEC comments with respect to the Proxy Statement as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof. If at any time prior to the adoption and approval of this Agreement by the Company’s shareholders there shall occur any event that is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC such amendment or supplement. The Company shall not mail the Proxy Statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, without reasonable advance consultation with Parent, Subsidiary and their counsel.

          2.2.4 The Company agrees that the information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries contained in the Proxy Statement, or in any other document filed in connection with this Agreement or the Merger with any other Governmental Entity (as hereinafter defined) (to the extent such information was provided by the Company for inclusion therein), at the respective times that the applicable document is filed with the SEC or such other Governmental Entity and first published, sent or given to shareholders of the Company and, in addition, in the case of the Proxy Statement, at the date it or any amendment or supplement thereto is mailed to the Company’s shareholders and at the time of the Special Shareholders Meeting, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          2.2.5 Parent shall provide the Company with the information concerning Parent and Subsidiary required to be included in the Proxy Statement. Parent agrees that the information relating to Parent and Subsidiary contained in the Proxy Statement, or in any other document filed in connection with this Agreement or the Merger with any other Governmental Entity (to the extent such information was provided by Parent or Subsidiary for inclusion therein), at the respective times that the applicable document is filed with the SEC or such other Governmental Entity and first published, sent or given to shareholders of the Company and, in

5


 

addition, in the case of the Proxy Statement, at the date it or any amendment or supplement thereto is mailed to the Company’s shareholders and at the time of the Special Shareholders Meeting, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          2.2.6 Parent and Subsidiary shall, at the Special Shareholders Meeting, vote, or cause to be voted, all shares of Company Common Stock owned by, or with respect to which the vote is otherwise controlled by, any of Parent, Subsidiary and any other affiliate of Parent in favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.

3. STATUS AND CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

          The manner of converting the shares of the capital stock of the Constituent Corporations and outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares of Company Common Stock and the amount of consideration which the holders of such securities are to receive in exchange for such securities are as follows:

     3.1 Conversion of Company Common Stock .

          3.1.1 Subsidiary . Each share of Subsidiary Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation (which newly issued shares will be owned by Parent) (the “ Surviving Corporation Common Stock ”).

          3.1.2 Cancellation of Parent-Owned Stock . Each share of Company Common Stock that is owned by Parent, Subsidiary or any other subsidiary of Parent shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to be outstanding, and no cash or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

          3.1.3 Conversion of Company Common Stock . Subject to Section 3.4, each issued and outstanding share of Company Common Stock (other than shares of Company Common Stock to be canceled in accordance with Section 3.1.2) shall be converted into the right to receive $18.82 in cash, without interest (the “ Merger Consideration ”). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled, and each holder of any such shares of Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration upon the surrender of a certificate representing such shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Article 3, or the right, if so demanded as set forth under Section 3.4 of this Agreement, to receive payment from the Company of the “fair value” of such Company Common Stock as determined in accordance with the MBCA.

6


 

     3.2 Exchange of Share Certificates .

          3.2.1 Paying Agent . Prior to the Closing, Parent shall designate a paying agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as paying agent (the “ Paying Agent ”) for the payment of the Merger Consideration. Prior to the Closing, Parent shall cause Subsidiary to deposit with the Paying Agent, for the benefit of the holders of Certificates, cash equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding (and not to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.1.2) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “ Company Outstanding Shares ”) multiplied by (B) the Merger Consideration. The deposit made by Subsidiary pursuant to this Section 3.2.1 is hereinafter referred to as the “ Exchange Fund .” The Paying Agent shall cause the Exchange Fund to be (i) held for the benefit of the holders of Company Common Stock and (ii) applied promptly to making the payments provided for in Section 3.1.3. The Exchange Fund shall not be used for any purpose that is not expressly provided for in this Agreement. If the Paying Agent invests the Exchange Fund, the Paying Agent shall only invest the Exchange Fund in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of America and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America. Earnings from such investments shall be the sole and exclusive property of Parent and no part of such earnings shall accrue to the benefit of the holders of shares of Company Common Stock.

          3.2.2 Exchange Procedures . As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record immediately prior to the Effective Time of a certificate formerly representing shares of Company Common Stock (a “ Certificate ”) (i) a letter of transmittal specifying that delivery of the Certificates shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) to the Paying Agent, such letter of transmittal to be in customary form and have such other provisions as Parent may reasonably specify and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration (such instructions shall include instructions for the payment of the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate is registered on the transfer books of the Company, subject to the receipt of appropriate documentation for such transfer). Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Certificate (or evidence of loss in lieu thereof) for cancellation together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be requested by the Paying Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to this Article 3, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled; provided that in no event will a holder of a Certificate be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration if the Merger Consideration was already paid with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock underlying such Certificate in connection with an affidavit of loss. No interest will be paid or accrued on any amount payable upon due surrender of the Certificates. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company Common Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, payment may be issued to such a transferee if the Certificate formerly representing such Company Common Stock is presented to the Paying Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer, and the Person requesting such issuance pays any transfer or other taxes required by reason of such

7


 

payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or establishes to the satisfaction of Parent and the Company that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.

          For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit corporations), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, Governmental Entity or other entity or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act).

          3.2.3 Transfers . After the Effective Time, there shall be no registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company of shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to Parent or the Surviving Corporation, they shall be canceled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration deliverable in respect thereof in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.2.2.

          3.2.4 Termination of Exchange Fund; No Liability . Any portion of the Exchange Fund relating to the Merger Consideration that remains unclaimed by the former shareholders of the Company one year after the Effective Time shall be returned to Parent. Any former shareholders of the Company who have not theretofore complied with this Article 3 shall thereafter look only to Parent for payment of the Merger Consideration upon due surrender of their Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof), without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of Parent, Subsidiary, the Surviving Corporation, the Paying Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any former holder of Company Common Stock for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws. If any Certificates shall not have been surrendered as of the date immediately prior to the date that such unclaimed funds would otherwise become subject to any abandoned property, escheat or similar law, unclaimed funds payable with respect to such Certificates shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.

          3.2.5 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . In the event that any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent, the posting by such Person of a bond reasonably satisfactory to Parent as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration upon due delivery of such affidavit pursuant to this Agreement.

          3.2.6 Withholding Rights . Each of Parent, the Paying Agent and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to any Person pursuant to this Article 3 such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under provision of any United States federal, state or local, or non-United States tax law. If Parent, the Paying Agent or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, so withholds amounts, then such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the Company

8


 

Common Stock in respect of which Parent, Paying Agent or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, made such deduction and withholding.

     3.3 Company Stock Options, Warrants and Other Stock Plans .

          3.3.1 Election Regarding Treatment of Stock Options . Each Stock Option granted under the Company Option Plans that is outstanding and unexpired immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether or not then vested or exercisable, with respect to which the Merger Consideration equals or does not exceed the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock for such Stock Option (“ Out-of-The-Money Options ”) shall be, effective as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, automatically converted into an option to purchase shares of Parent’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (“ Parent Common Stock ”) in accordance with Section 3.3.2 below. At least twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall notify each holder of options to purchase Company Common Stock that is outstanding under the Company Option Plans as of the Effective Date, whether or not then vested or exercisable, with respect to which the Merger Consideration exceeds the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock (“ In-The-Money Options ”) (the Out-of-The Money Options together with the In-The-Money Options, collectively being the “ Stock Options ”) of their right to elect to convert their outstanding In-The-Money Options into options to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with Section 3.3.2 below or, if vested, cash in accordance with Section 3.3.3 below. Each such holder may so elect by notifying the Company in writing no later than five (5) business days prior to the Closing Date. The failure by any holder of vested In-The-Money Options to provide such notice shall be deemed an election to convert such Stock Option in accordance with Section 3.3.2 below. All Out-Of-The Money Options, all outstanding unvested In-The-Money Options and/or outstanding vested In-The-Money Options with respect to which proper notice to convert under this Section 3.3.1 has been made or no notice has been made will be “ Assumed Options ” and each will be converted into options to purchase Parent Common Stock in accordance with Section 3.3.2 below.

          3.3.2 Assumption of Stock Options . Subject to applicable Law, Parent and the Company shall take such actions, including (with respect to the Company) any necessary amendment of the Stock Options and the Company Option Plans to permit Parent to assume, and Parent shall assume, at the Effective Time, each Company Option Plan and each of the Assumed Options and substitute shares of Parent Common Stock for the Company Common Stock purchasable under each such assumed Stock Option, which assumption and substitution shall be effected as follows (such actions by the Company shall be done in accordance with the Company Option Plans and stock option agreements under which the grants have been made, including but not limited to the authorization in Sections 9 thereof (and in compliance in all respects with Sections 7 thereof) and the Company shall obtain any other documentation from any holder of the option required as a result of the Assumed Option under the Company Option Plans and stock option agreements under which such grants have been made):

               (a) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock purchasable under the Assumed Option shall be equal to 0.386 (the “ Conversion Fraction ”) times the number of shares of Company Common Stock underlying the Assumed Option (with any fractional amount rounded to the next lowest full share);

9


 

               (b) the per share exercise price of such Assumed Option shall be an amount (with fractional amounts rounded to the next highest cent) equal to the per share exercise price of the Stock Option being assumed divided by the Conversion Fraction; and

               (c) any other provisions of each Assumed Option shall remain in effect (including acceleration of exercisability resulting from applicable employment or retention agreements); provided, that in the event of any recapitalization, stock split, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or other reclassification in respect of Parent’s outstanding shares of capital stock following the date hereof, there shall be an equitable adjustment with respect hereto.

          3.3.3 Conversion of In-The-Money Options . Each outstanding vested In-The-Money Option that will not be treated as an Assumed Option subject to Section 3.3.2 above shall, effective as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, be cancelled in exchange for a single lump sum cash payment equal to the product of (1) the number of Company Common Shares for which such vested In-The-Money Option could be exercised as of the Effective Time, and (2) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of such vested In-The-Money Option (subject to any applicable withholding taxes).

          3.3.4 Assumption or Conversion of Warrants . At least twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall notify each holder of warrants exercisable for or other rights to acquire Company Common Stock (collectively, the “ Warrants ”) of such holder’s right to elect to convert their Warrants into warrants to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock or cash. Each holder of Warrants may elect to convert such holder’s outstanding Warrants into warrants to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock or cash by notifying the Company in writing no later than ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date. The failure by any holder to provide such notice shall be deemed an election to convert such Warrants into cash pursuant to Section 3.3.4(a) below.

               (a) Each Warrant that the holder thereof has not elected to convert into a warrant to purchase shares of Parent Common Stock, and with respect to which the Merger Consideration exceeds the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock shall, effective as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, be cancelled in exchange for a single lump sum cash payment equal to the product of (1) the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Warrant and (2) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of such Warrant (subject to any applicable withholding taxes). Parent shall, prior to the Closing Date, deliver a written instrument to each holder of Warrants who will receive cash in accordance with this Section 3.3.4(a) assuming, on behalf of itself and the Surviving Corporation, the obligation to pay to such holders pursuant to this Section 3.3.4(a).

               (b) Parent, the Company and the Warrant holders shall take such actions, including (with respect to the Company and the Warrant holders) any necessary amendment of the Warrants to permit Parent to assume, and Parent shall assume, at the Effective Time, each Warrant that is not surrendered for cash payment pursuant to Section 3.3.4(a) above (the “ Assumed Warrants ”), and substitute shares of Parent Common Stock for the Company

10


 

Common Stock purchasable under each Assumed Warrant, which assumption and substitution shall be effected as follows:

                    (i) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock purchasable under the Assumed Warrant shall be equal to the Conversion Fraction times the number of shares of Company Common Stock underlying the Assumed Warrant (with any fractional amount rounded to the next lowest full share);

                    (ii) the per share exercise price of the Assumed Warrant shall be an amount (with fractional amounts rounded to the next highest cent) equal to the per share exercise price of the Warrant being assumed divided by the Conversion Fraction; and

                    (iii) subject to applicable law and the Parent’s existing contractual commitments, any other provisions of each Assumed Warrant shall remain in effect.

               (c) Following the date of this Agreement, but as a condition precedent to Parent assuming the Assumed Warrants, the Company will solicit from each holder of an Assumed Warrant confirmation that such holder is an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act. Should any such holder not qualify as an “accredited investor”, Parent and such holder will take commercially reasonable actions so that the conversion of the Assumed Warrant complies with applicable Law.

3.4 Dissenters and Appraisal Rights .

          Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock (other than shares of Company Common Stock to be canceled in accordance with Section 3.1.2), the holder of which has demanded and perfected such holder’s right to dissent from the Merger and to be paid the fair value of such shares in accordance with Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA and, as of the Effective Time, has not effectively withdrawn or lost such dissenters’ rights (“ Dissenting Shares ”), shall not be converted into or represent a right to receive the Merger Consideration, but the holder thereof shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by the MBCA. Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to make all payments to holders of shares of Company Common Stock with respect to such demands in accordance with the MBCA. The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt written notice of any notice of intent to demand fair value for any shares of Company Common Stock, withdrawals of such notices, and any other instruments served pursuant to the MBCA and received by the Company, and (ii) the opportunity to conduct jointly all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for fair value for shares of Company Common Stock under the MBCA. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent or as otherwise required by Law, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands for fair value for shares of Company Common Stock or offer to settle or settle any such demands.

4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS

11


 

     4.1 Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company .

          Except as set forth in the disclosure letter dated the date hereof and delivered to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “ Company Disclosure Letter ”), Company represents and warrants to each of Parent and Subsidiary as follows:

          4.1.1 Organization, Good Standing, Capitalization .

               (a) The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota with all requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties, to carry on its business as now being conducted, to enter into this Agreement and, subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders in accordance with the MBCA, to perform its obligations hereunder. The authorized and issued capital stock of the Company as of the date hereof is as set forth in the recitals of this Agreement; all capital stock of the Company listed therein as authorized has been duly authorized, and all capital stock of the Company listed therein as issued and outstanding has been validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding rights, preemptive rights, stocks appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, arrangements, options, warrants, conversion rights or agreements for the purchase or acquisition from, or the sale or issuance by, the Company of any shares of its capital stock of any class other than (a) Stock Options to purchase 1,299,103 shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the Company Option Plans, and (b) Warrants to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $17.94 per share.

               (b) Each of the Company’s subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its respective state of incorporation with all corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company are held (directly or indirectly) by the Company, and all such shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. There are no outstanding rights, preemptive rights, stocks appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, arrangements, options, warrants, conversion rights or agreements for the purchase or acquisition from, or the sale or issuance by, any subsidiary of the Company of any of its capital stock. Throughout this Agreement, the term “subsidiary” of any person means any other person of which (i) such person or any subsidiary thereof is a general partner, (ii) such person and/or one or more of its subsidiaries holds voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or other body performing similar functions or (iii) such person, directly or indirectly, owns or controls 50% or more of the stock or other equity interests of such other person.

          4.1.2 SEC Filings; Financial Statements . The Company has timely filed all forms, reports, statements and documents required to be filed with the SEC since July 29, 2005 (collectively, the “ Company SEC Reports ”), each of which has complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) or the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company SEC Reports, each as in effect on the date so filed. The Company’s

12


 

consolidated statements of operations for the three fiscal years ended February 25, 2006, February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 and the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of February 25, 2006 and February 26, 2005 and the related notes to all of said financial statements and the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended August 26, 2006 and the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of August 26, 2006 (the “ August 26, 2006 Balance Sheet ”) (in every case as presented in the Company SEC Reports, collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”), all of which have been heretofore made available to Parent, are presented accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered except as specifically referred to in such financial statements. The Company SEC Reports, including any financial statements or schedules included in the Company SEC Reports, at the time filed (and, in the case of registration statements and proxy statements, on the dates of effectiveness and the dates of mailing, respectively, and, in the case of any Company SEC Report amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such amending or superseding filing) (i) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (ii) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be. The financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included in the Company SEC Reports (i) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of the Company and its subsidiaries, (ii) at the time filed (and, in the case of registration statements and proxy statements, on the dates of effectiveness and the dates of mailing, respectively, and, in the case of any Company SEC Report amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such amending or superseding filing) complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, and (iii) fairly present in all material respects (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, recurring audit adjustments) the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as at the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows (and changes in financial position, if any) for the periods then ended. The Company has received no written or oral communication from the Company’s independent auditors identifying any significant weakness or deficiency in its internal controls. There have been no communications from its independent auditors regarding any disagreement with the Company’s accounting or financial reporting practices. There are no liabilities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether or not accrued and whether or not contingent or absolute, other than (i) liabilities disclosed in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of August 26, 2006, (ii) liabilities arising since August 26, 2006 under or pursuant to the terms of the Company Benefit Plans and Material Contracts in existence prior to the date hereof, (iii) liabilities incurred on behalf of the Company in connection with this Agreement and the contemplated Merger, (iv) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since August 26, 2006, and (v) liabilities which would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

     For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Material Adverse Effect ” means (A) in the case of the Company (a “ Company Material Adverse Effect ”), any effect (other than an effect directly or indirectly resulting from or attributable to (i) changes attributable to conditions

13


 

affecting the retail industry and/or the golf industry generally, (ii) changes in general economic conditions, (iii) changes attributable to the announcement or pendency of the Merger, (iv) any action approved in writing by Parent, (v) any increase or decrease in the trading price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock, (vi) commencement of a new war or material escalation of current wars, armed hostilities or terrorism directly or indirectly involving the United States, or (vii) the departure of employees of the Company) that is both material and adverse to the financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as whole, or would materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (B) in the case of Parent (a “ Parent Material Adverse Effect ”), any effect (other than an effect directly or indirectly resulting from or attributable to (i) changes attributable to conditions affecting the retail industry and/or the golf industry generally, (ii) changes in general economic conditions, (iii) changes attributable to the announcement or pendency of the Merger, (iv) any action approved in writing by the Company, (v) any increase or decrease in the trading price or trading volume of the Parent’s common stock, or (vi) commencement of a new war or material escalation of current wars, armed hostilities or terrorism directly or indirectly involving the United States) that is both material and adverse to the financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of Parent and its subsidiaries taken as whole, or would materially impair the ability of Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          4.1.3 Absence of Changes; No Material Change . Since August 26, 2006, and except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as disclosed or reflected in the Company’s reports on Form 8-K as filed after August 26, 2006, the Company has conducted its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, has not entered into or amended any credit or loan agreement or other long-term debt agreement and has not entered into or amended any material contract as defined under Item 601 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. Since August 26, 2006 through the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred which would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

          4.1.4 Authority Relative to this Agreement, etc . The Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve this Agreement and the Merger and the performance of its obligations hereunder, except for the requisite shareholder approval. The Company Financial Advisor has delivered to the Board of Directors of the Company its written opinion, dated the date of this Agreement, that, as of such date and based on and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations contained therein, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders of the Company. It is agreed and understood that such opinion is for the benefit of the Company’s Board of Directors and may not be relied on by Parent or Subsidiary. The Company has made available to Parent a true and complete copy of the engagement agreement dated April 10, 2006 between the Company and the Company Financial Advisor and the Company has made available, or promptly after the execution of this Agreement the Company will make available, to Parent a copy of the written opinion of the Company Financial Advisor. The engagement agreement remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof and has not been amended or otherwise modified.

          4.1.5 Compliance with Other Instruments, etc . Subject to requisite Company shareholder approval, except for the consents referred to in Section 4.1.6, neither the execution

14


 

nor delivery of this Agreement by the Company nor the Company’s consummation of the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby will require consent under, conflict with, result in any violation of, or constitute a default under, (i) the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as the same may be amended and restated, (ii) any Material Contract (as defined below), or (iii) any judgment, decree, order or material law or regulation of any governmental agency or authority in the United States by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound, except with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, where the conflicts, violations or defaults, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the Company.

          4.1.6 Governmental and other Consents, etc . Subject to requisite Company shareholder approval and any required filings with the U.S. Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission, including any necessary approvals under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (the “ HSR Act ”), no material consent, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or regulatory agency or authority or other public persons or entities in the United States or a foreign country (a “ Governmental Entity ”) on the part of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is required in connection with the execution or delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than (i) filings in the State of Minnesota in accordance with the MBCA and (ii) filings with the SEC and NASDAQ.

          4.1.7 No Misleading Statements . The Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-125007 (the “ Form S-1 ”) (including, but not limited to, any financial statements or schedules included or incorporated by reference therein) did not contain when filed any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact required to be stated or incorporated by reference therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          4.1.8 Compliance with Applicable Law; Permits .

               (a) The Company and its subsidiaries hold all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals of all Governmental Entities necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses (the “ Company Permits ”), except for failures to hold such Company Permits which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of the Company Permits, except where any such failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports, the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries are not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any Governmental Entity, except for possible violations which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. As of the date of this Agreement, no investigation or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or its subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity indicated in writing an intention to conduct the same, other than, in each

15


 

case, those the outcome of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

          For the purposes of this Agreement, “knowledge” or “known” means, with respect to any matter in question, the actual knowledge of such matter by (x) any officer of the Company that is listed on Section 4.1.8 of the Company Disclosure Letter in the case of the Company or (y) the current executive officers (as defined in Rule 3b-7 of the Exchange Act) of the Parent, in the case of the Parent. Any such individual will be deemed to have actual knowledge of a particular fact, circumstance, event or other matter if (i) such fact, circumstance, event or other matter is reflected in one or more documents (whether written or electronic, including e-mails sent to or by such individual) in, or that have been in, such individual’s possession, including personal files of such individual; or (ii) such fact, circumstance, event or other matter is reflected in one or more documents (whether written or electronic) contained in books and records of the Company (in the case of knowledge of the Company) or Parent (in the case of knowledge of Parent) that would reasonably be expected to be reviewed by an individual who has the duties and responsibilities of such individual in the customary performance of such duties and responsibilities.

          (b) The Company and each of its officers and directors are in compliance with, and since July 29, 2005 have complied, in all material respects, with (A) the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations promulgated under such Act (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) or the Exchange Act and (B) the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of NASDAQ. Each Company SEC Report that was required to be accompanied by the certifications required to be filed or submitted by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was accompanied by such certification and, at the time of filing or submission of each such certification, to the knowledge of the Company, such certification was true and accurate and complied with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

          4.1.9 Vote Required . The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

          4.1.10 No Broker . No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company other than the Company Financial Advisor.

          4.1.11 Litigation . There is not now pending, and to the knowledge of the Company there is not threatened, nor to the knowledge of the Company is there any reasonable basis (as defined below) for, any litigation, action, suit or proceeding to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or will be a party in or before or by any court or governmental or regulatory agency or body, except for any litigation, action, suit or proceeding (whether instituted, pending or threatened) involving claims which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. In addition, there is no judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court, governmental department, commission, board,

16


 

bureau, agency, instrumentality or arbitrator outstanding against the Company or any of its subsidiaries which would be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. For purpose of this Section 4.1.11, Section 4.1.16 and Section 4.1.22, “reasonable basis” means the existence of any set of factual circumstances from which a reasonable person would conclude that a claim, suit, investigation or similar proceeding that is recognized under currently applicable United States Law could properly be asserted or commenced.

          4.1.12 Changes in Capitalization . Since August 26, 2006, the Company has not made any changes in the equity interest of the Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock including, without limitation, distributions to shareholders, issuances, exchanges or cancellations of Company Common Stock, grants of options with respect to Company Common Stock under existing stock option plans of the Company or adoption of new stock options plans of the Company.

          4.1.13 Employee Benefit Plans .

               (a) Section 4.1.13 of the Company Disclosure Letter lists (i) all deferred compensation, pension, profit-sharing and retirement plans, and all bonus, welfare, severance policies and programs and other “employee benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”)), fringe benefit or stock option, stock ownership, stock appreciation, phantom stock or equity (or equity-based) plans, including individual contracts, severance agreements, employee agreements, consulting agreements with individuals which either involve payment of in excess of $50,000 per year or are not terminable by the Company on 30 days’ notice or less without the payment of amounts in consideration of termination and (ii) all change of control programs, agreements or arrangements, or employee retention agreements, providing the same or similar benefits, whether or not written, participated in or maintained by the Company or with respect to which contributions are made or obligations assumed by the Company in respect of the Company (including health, life insurance and other benefit plans maintained for former employees or retirees). Such plans or other arrangements are collectively referred to herein as “ Company Benefit Plans .” Copies of all Company Benefit Plans and related documents, including those setting out the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, and including any insurance contracts, trust agreements or other arrangements under which benefits are provided, as currently in effect, and descriptions of any such plan which are not written have been made available for inspection by Parent. The Company has also made available for inspection by Parent a copy of the summary plan description, if any, for each Company Benefit Plan, as well as copies of any other summaries or descriptions of any such Company Benefit Plans which have been provided to employees or other beneficiaries since January 1, 2001.

               (b) Each Company Benefit Plan is in compliance with, and has been administered in all material respects consistent with, the presently applicable material provisions of ERISA, the Code and state law, including but not limited to the satisfaction of all applicable reporting and disclosure requirements under the Code, ERISA, state law and to the extent applicable, the requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended. The Company has made all payments to, or in respect of, all Company

17


 

Benefit Plans as required by the terms of each such plan and no past service funding liability exists thereunder. The Company has filed or caused to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service annual reports on Form 5500 for each Company Benefit Plan attributable to them for all years and periods for which such reports were required and within the time period required by ERISA and the Code, and copies of such reports filed since January 1, 2001 have been made available for inspection by Parent.

               (c) No “prohibited transaction,” as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred in respect of any such Company Benefit Plan, and no civil or criminal action brought pursuant to Part 5 of Title I or ERISA is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened in writing or orally against any fiduciary of any such plan.

               (d) The Internal Revenue Service has issued a letter for each employee pension benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, listed in Section 4.1.13 of the Company Disclosure Letter, determining that such plan is a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code and is exempt from United States federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, and the Company has no knowledge of any occurrence since the date of any such determination letter which has adversely affected such qualification. The Company does not maintain a plan or arrangement intended to qualify under Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.

               (e) Neither the Company nor any entity that is treated as a single employer with the Company pursuant to Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (“ Company ERISA Affiliate ”) currently maintains, contributes to or has any liability with respect to any employee benefit plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, nor has previously maintained or contributed to any such plan that has resulted in any liability or potential liability for the Company under said Title IV.

               (f) The Company does not maintain any Company Benefit Plan that provides post-retirement medical benefits (other than benefits which are required by Law), post-employment benefits, death benefits or other post-retirement welfare benefits. With respect to any “welfare benefit plan” of the Company (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that is self-insured, the aggregate amount of all claims made pursuant to any such plan that have not yet been paid is set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter, together with each individual claim which could result in an uninsured liability in excess of $150,000 per participant or covered dependent.

               (g) Neither the Company nor any Company ERISA Affiliate maintains, nor has contributed since January 1, 2001 to any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. No such employer currently has any liability to make withdrawal liability payments to any multiemployer plan. There is no pending dispute between any such employer and any multiemployer plan concerning payment of contributions or payment of withdrawal liability payments.

               (h) All Company Benefit Plans have been operated and administered in accordance with their respective terms in all material respects and no inconsistent representation or interpretation has been made to any plan participant.

18


 

               (i) No Company Benefit Plan maintained by the Company covers or otherwise benefits any individuals other than current or former employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (and their dependents and beneficiaries).

               (j) Each Company Benefit Plan may be amended and terminated in accordance with its terms, and, each such plan provides for the unrestricted right of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (as applicable) to amend or terminate such Plan.

               (k) The Company and its subsidiaries have no material liability for, under, with respect to or otherwise in connection with any employee benefit plan, which liability arises under ERISA or the Code, by virtue of the Company or any subsidiary being aggregated, with any other person that i


 
SITE SEARCH

AGREEMENTS / CONTRACTS

Document Title:

Entire Document: (optional)

Governing Law:(optional)


Try our advanced search >>
 

CLAUSES

Search Contract Clauses >>

Browse Contract Clause Library>>

Get Email Updates
Email:
This is only a partial view of this document. We have millions of legal documents and clauses drafted by top law firms. learn more search for free browse for free learn more