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EXHIBIT 2.4
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by
and
among
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED,
LEE PROCUREMENT SOLUTIONS CO.
and
TARGET MEDIA PARTNERS OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
Dated September 5, 2006
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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1
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Certain Definitions
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1
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Other Definitions
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3
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5
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Purchase and Sale of the Acquired
Assets
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5
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Assumption of Liabilities
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5
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Consideration for the Acquired Assets
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7
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Further Assurances
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9
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Nontransferable Business Contracts
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9
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Closing
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10
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Closing Obligations
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10
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12
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Organization; Qualification; Authority
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12
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Corporate Authority Relative to this Agreement;
No Violation
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13
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Business Financial Statements
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14
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No Undisclosed Liabilities
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14
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Compliance with Law; Permits
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15
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Environmental Laws and Regulations
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15
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Employee Benefit Plans
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16
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Absence of Certain Changes or Events
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17
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Investigations; Litigation
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17
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Tax Matters
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18
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Labor Matters
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19
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Title to Acquired Assets
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19
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Intellectual Property
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19
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Real Property
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20
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Material Contracts
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21
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Transactions with Affiliates
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21
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Finders or Brokers
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21
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No Additional Representations
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21
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22
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Organization
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22
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Corporate Authority Relative to this Agreement;
No Violation
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22
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Investigations; Litigation
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23
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Finders or Brokers
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23
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Solvency
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23
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Available Funds
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24
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
(Continued)
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Page
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24
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Conduct of the Business by Lee
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24
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Access to Information; Confidentiality
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26
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Mutual Efforts
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26
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Tax Matters
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28
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Public Announcements
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29
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Transaction Costs
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29
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Retention of and Access to Records
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29
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Notifications
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30
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Payments
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30
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Cooperation in Post-Closing Litigation
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30
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Updating of Lee Disclosure Schedules
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30
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31
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Acquired Employees
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31
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Welfare Plans
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31
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Severance and Participation Agreement
Liabilities
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32
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Savings Plans
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33
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Vacation
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33
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General
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33
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33
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Conditions to Each Party’s
Obligation
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33
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Conditions to Obligations of Buyer
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34
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Conditions to Obligations of Lee
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34
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35
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Termination
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35
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Effect of Termination
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36
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36
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Survival
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36
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Indemnification By Buyer
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36
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Indemnification By Lee
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37
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Notice of Claims
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37
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Procedure for Indemnification — Third Party
Claims
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37
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Procedure for Indemnification — Other
Claims
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38
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Limitations on Indemnification
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38
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Exclusive Remedy
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39
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40
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Expenses
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40
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
(Continued)
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Page
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Notices
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40
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References
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41
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Interpretation
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41
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Counterparts
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41
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Entire Agreement; Third-Party
Beneficiaries
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41
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Governing Law
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41
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Assignment
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41
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Nondisclosure
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42
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Amendments; Waiver
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42
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Enforcement
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42
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Severability
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42
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EXHIBITS :
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EXHIBIT A
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Bill of Sale
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EXHIBIT B
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Assignment and Assumption Agreement
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EXHIBIT C
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Nickel Ads’ Assignment
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EXHIBIT D
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Transition Services Agreement
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SCHEDULES :
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SCHEDULE A
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Acquired Assets
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SCHEDULE B
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Acquired Publications
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SCHEDULE C
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Intellectual Property and Other
Intangibles
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SCHEDULE D
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Excluded Assets
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SCHEDULE E
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Current Assets
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SCHEDULE F
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Current Liabilities
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SCHEDULE G
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Allocation of Purchase Price
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SCHEDULE H
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New Welfare Plans
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-iii-
ASSET PURCHASE
AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made as of
September 5, 2006, by and among TARGET MEDIA PARTNERS
OPERATING COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
("Buyer"), LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED, a Delaware
corporation ("Lee Enterprises"), and LEE PROCUREMENT SOLUTIONS
CO., an Iowa corporation ("Lee Procurement" and, together with
Lee Enterprises, "Lee").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Lee Enterprises owns all the Assets listed on
Schedule A hereto, which it uses to conduct the
business of operating the newspapers and publications listed on
Schedule B hereto (the "Acquired Publications"), and
is subject to certain liabilities relating to the business and
operations of the Acquired Publications (collectively, the
"Business"), and Lee Procurement is the owner of certain
Intellectual Property (as defined below) and other intangibles
listed on Schedule C hereto;
WHEREAS, at the Closing (as defined below), Lee desires to sell
to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Lee, the Acquired
Assets (as defined below), and in connection therewith, Buyer has
agreed to assume certain liabilities relating to the Business, all
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Certain Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement,
the following terms have the meanings specified or referred to in
this Section 1.1 :
"Acquired Assets" — the Assets set forth on Schedule
A hereto.
"ADEA" — the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967,
as amended.
"Affiliates" — as to any Person, any other Person which,
directly or indirectly, Controls, or is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such Person.
"Allowable Lost Profits" — profits which were reasonably
certain to have been realized but for the occurrence of the breach
and which can be ascertained and measured with reasonable
certainty, less any damage which the indemnifying party proves
could have been reasonably avoided.
"Ancillary Agreements" — the Bill of Sale,
Assignment and Assumption Agreement, Transition Services Agreement,
Real Property Deeds and the instruments described in clauses
(iii) , (iv) , (v) , (vi) ,
(vii) , (ix) , (x), (xi) and
(xiii) of Section 2.7(a) and clauses
(ii) and (vi) of Section 27(b)
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"Assets" — all properties, assets, rights (contractual or
otherwise) and claims, whether personal, tangible or
intangible.
"Business Day" — any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
a day on which the banks in New York or California are authorized
by law or executive order to be closed.
"Closing Date" — the date and time as of which the Closing
actually takes place.
"Consequential Damages" — damages that do not arise as an
immediate, natural, and probable result of the breach, but arise
from the interposition of an additional cause, without which there
would have been no harmful result, and which could have been
reasonably prevented by cover or otherwise.
"Control" (including, with its correlative meanings, "controlled
by" and "under common control with") — the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through
the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership
interests, by Contract or otherwise.
"Effective Time" shall mean the close of business on
September 30, 2006; provided, however, that if the
Closing does not occur on October 2, 2006, the "Effective
Time" shall be as agreed by the parties or, if the parties do not
agree, shall be close of business on the Business Day before the
Closing Date.
"ERISA" — all compensation or employee benefit plans,
programs, policies, agreements or other arrangements, whether or
not "employee benefit plans" within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.
"Excluded Assets" — the Assets set forth on Schedule
D hereto, whether such Assets are Assets of the Acquired
Publications, Lee Enterprises or Lee Procurement.
"GAAP" — United States generally accepted accounting
principles.
"Governmental Entity" — any Federal, state or local
government or any court, administrative agency, bureau, commission,
department or other authority of any domestic or foreign government
or any arbitrator in any case that has jurisdiction over an
applicable party or any of its properties or Assets.
"Income Taxes" — any income, franchise or similar
Taxes.
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"IRC" — the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, or any successor law.
"IRS" — the United States Internal Revenue Service or any
successor agency, and, to the extent relevant, the United States
Department of the Treasury.
"Knowledge" — (i) with respect to Buyer, the actual
knowledge (without duty to investigate) of any of James Sington,
John Humphreville, Mark Schiffmacher or Susan Humphreville; and
(ii) with respect to Lee, the actual knowledge (without duty
to investigate) of any of the individuals listed on
Section 10.3(a) of the Lee Disclosure Schedules.
"Liability" — any direct or indirect debt, obligation or
liability of any kind or nature, whether accrued or fixed, absolute
or contingent, determined or determinable, matured or unmatured,
and whether due or to become due, asserted or unasserted or known
or unknown.
"Person" — an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a
limited liability company or partnership, an association, a trust
or any other entity, group (as such term is used in Section 13
of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or
organization, including a Governmental Entity, and any permitted
successors and assigns of such person.
"Prime Rate" — the rate of interest publicly announced
from time to time by Bank of America, National Association, as its
"prime rate" of interest per annum.
"Proceeding" — any action, inquiry, proceeding,
arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or suit
(whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
informal) commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or before, or
otherwise involving, any Governmental Entity.
"Representative" — with respect to a particular Person,
any director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or other
representative of such Person, including legal counsel,
accountants, financial advisors and lenders.
"SEC" — the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission.
"Subsidiary" — any corporation, limited liability company
or partnership, association, trust or other form of legal entity of
which (i) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
are on the date hereof directly or indirectly owned by any party;
or (ii) such party or any subsidiary of such party is a
general partner (excluding partnerships in which such party or any
subsidiary of such party does not have a majority of the voting
interests in such partnership).
1.2 Other Definitions . The following terms are defined
in the sections indicated:
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Term
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Section
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Recitals
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Preamble
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2.7(a)(ii)
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2.5
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-3-
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Term
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Section
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2.2(b)
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3.7(a)
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2.7(a)(i)
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Recitals
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3.3
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3.7(a)
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3.3
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3.1
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3.15(a)
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Preamble
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4.2(b)
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Article 4
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9.3
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6.3(b)
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2.6
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2.3(b)(ii)
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5.2(b)
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2.5
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4.6
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6.3(b)
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8.1(c)
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3.6(b)
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2.2(c)
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3.6(c)
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6.1(a)
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3.2(b)
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9.4
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9.4
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2.3(b)(iv)
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3.13
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3.5(a)
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Preamble
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3.2(b)
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Article 3
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Preamble
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9.2
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3.5(b)
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Preamble
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3.2(c)
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9.2
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3.15(a)
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6.2
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Term
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Section
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2.3(b)(iv)
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5.11
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6.2
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3.2(c)
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2.3(a)
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5.3(d)
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5.1(b)(iv)
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2.3(b)(ii)
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5.4
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3.10(b)
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3.10(b)
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5.1 (a)
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5.6
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2.7(a)(vii)
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5.11
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2.3(b)(i)
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ARTICLE 2
SALE OF THE ACQUIRED ASSETS; CLOSING
2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Acquired Assets . Subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, but
effective as of the Effective Time, Lee Enterprises and Lee
Procurement will sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to
Buyer all of their right, title and interest in and to the Acquired
Assets.
2.2 Assumption of Liabilities .
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(a) Assumption . Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein, at the Closing and effective as of the
Effective Time, Buyer shall assume from Lee (and therefore agree to
pay, perform and discharge), and Lee shall irrevocably convey,
transfer and assign to Buyer, all of the Assumed Liabilities.
(b) Definition of Assumed Liabilities . For all purposes
of and under this Agreement, the term "Assumed Liabilities" shall
mean, refer to and include all of the Liabilities of Lee that arose
out of or relate to the operation of the Business or the Acquired
Assets (but excluding the Excluded Liabilities), including:
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(i) Liabilities of Lee and its Affiliates under all Contracts
(including leases of real property, the Assignment Resulting in
Change of Ownership regarding that portion of the Spokane,
Washington market and pricing therefor set forth in Appendix
A under the Media Audit Lease Agreement dated March 2,
2006 between Lee Enterprises and International Demographics, Inc.,
the Linen Service Agreement with American Linen dated
February 15, 2006
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and the Equipment Lease Agreement dated
April 25, 2006 between Lee Enterprises and Bank of the West
with Addendum to the extent of the "Additional Commitment"
involving equipment located at 13026 West McFarlane Road, Building
2, Airway Heights, Washington supplied by Kodak Graphic
Communications Company and Southern Lithoplate and referred to in
Section 3.4 of the Lee Disclosure Schedules, all of which have
been previously disclosed to Buyer) included in or otherwise
related to the Acquired Assets (other than Liabilities and
obligations relating to breaches occurring prior to the Closing
Date);
(ii) All current Liabilities of Lee reflected in the Statement
of Working Capital (as provided in Section 2.3(b)(ii)
), as of the Effective Time to the extent such Liabilities are
reflected on the Business Balance Sheet or incurred after
June 30, 2006 in the ordinary course of the Business and in
connection with the operation of the Business and disclosed, but
not including Excluded Liabilities or any Liabilities related to
the Excluded Assets;
(iii) Liabilities for Transfer Taxes that are the responsibility
of Buyer pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof;
(iv) Liabilities of Buyer relating to the Hired Employees under
Article 6 , including (a) the Participation
Agreement between Lee Enterprises and Judy Olson dated
April 30, 2006, and any other such agreement pursuant to
Section 5.1 (b)(i)(B) and (b) the Buyer Severance
Amount for any Eligible Hired Employee pursuant to
Section 6.3(b) hereof.
(c) Definition of Excluded Liabilities . Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2.2
or elsewhere in this Agreement, Buyer shall not assume, and Lee
agrees that Buyer shall not be liable or otherwise responsible for,
the following Liabilities, except to the extent provided in this
Agreement or otherwise agreed to by the parties in writing and
included in the Statement of Working Capital as provided in
Section 2.3(b)(ii) (the Liabilities referred to in
clauses (i) through (vii) of this
Section 2.2(c) , collectively, the "Excluded
Liabilities"):
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(i) Liabilities under any Benefit Plan which is retained by Lee,
which retained Benefit Plans are set forth on
Section 2.2(c)(i) of the Lee Disclosure Schedules (excluding
the Liabilities described in clause (iv) of
Section 2.2(b) ;
(ii) Liabilities of the Business in respect of transaction costs
payable by Lee pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof;
(iii) Liabilities of the Business occurring prior to the Closing
Date for any amounts owed to Lee pursuant to any note or account
payable with any division of Lee or any Affiliate thereof;
(iv) Liabilities of Lee with respect to indebtedness for
borrowed money (but excluding the equipment lease referred to in
Section 2.2(b)(i) hereof);
(v) Liabilities of Lee owed to Buyer (or, pursuant to
Article 9 , any Buyer Indemnified Parties) as a
result of any breach of this Agreement by Lee;
-6-
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(vi) Liabilities for Taxes of Lee, except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement;
(vii) Liabilities of Lee not arising out of or relating to the
operation of the Business;
(viii) Liabilities arising prior to the Closing Date the
existence of which would constitute a breach of the warranty set
forth in Section 3.4 ;
(ix) Tort Liabilities arising prior to the Closing Date;
(x) Liabilities under all employment agreements arrangements or
other Contracts between Lee and any Business Employee, including
any obligation to make payments to any Business Employee as set
forth in any employment agreement or other Contract between Lee and
any such Business Employee, except as specifically provided in this
Section 2.2 ;
(xi) Liabilities under the Equipment Lease dated April 25,
2006 between Lee Enterprises and Bank of the West except to the
extent of the "Additional Commitment" involving equipment located
at 13026 West McFarlane Road, Building 2, Airway Heights,
Washington supplied by Kodak Graphic Communications Company and
Southern Lithoplate and referred to in Section 3.4 of the Lee
Disclosure Schedules; and
(xii) Liabilities associated with corporate allocations to
health and welfare which are Excluded Assets.
2.3 Consideration for the Acquired Assets .
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(a) Purchase Price . Subject to the adjustments in
Section 2.3(b) , the aggregate consideration (the
"Purchase Price") for the Acquired Assets will be (i) Eighteen
million five hundred thousand ($18,500,000.00) in cash and
(ii) the Assumed Liabilities assumed by Buyer pursuant to
Section 2.2 hereof.
(b) Working Capital Adjustment .
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(i) For all purposes of and under this Agreement, the term
"Working Capital" shall mean (x) the value of the current
assets of the categories described on Schedule E
hereto of the Business and included in the Acquired Assets, minus
(y) the value of the current liabilities of the categories
described on Schedule F hereto of the Business and
included in the Assumed Liabilities.
(ii) As promptly as practicable, but in any event within sixty
(60) calendar days following the Closing, Lee shall cause to be
prepared and delivered to the Buyer a statement (the "Statement of
Working Capital") setting forth the Working Capital as of the
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Effective Time (the "Closing Working Capital").
The Closing Working Capital will reflect the principle that all
expense and revenue arising from the operation of the Business
prior to the close of business as of the Effective Time shall be
for the account of Lee and those arising after the close of
business after the Effective Time shall be for the account of
Buyer. The Statement of Working Capital will be prepared, to the
extent practicable, in accordance with GAAP and past practice,
except that (A) no cash or cash equivalents shall be included
as current assets, (B) no transfer costs and expenses or
Transfer Taxes incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby that are the responsibility of a party hereto
pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof will be included,
(C) no Excluded Liabilities will be included, (D) no
Excluded Assets will be included, (E) no Tax asset or Tax
liability relating to Income Taxes will be included, (F) the
Severance Amount of each Eligible Hired Employee and the
Participation Agreement between Lee Enterprises and Judy Olson
dated April 30, 2006, and any other such agreement pursuant to
Section 5.1(b)(i)(B) shall not be included, (G) no
intercompany charge payable by the Business to Lee Procurement for
newsprint and other services shall be included as a current
liability, and (H) the Business Financial Statements are
summary in nature and do not include the statement of cash flows
and notes and related disclosures required by GAAP.
(iii) Subject to Section 2.3(b)(iv) hereof, within
twenty (20) calendar days following delivery of the Statement
of Working Capital pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(ii)
hereof, (A) Lee shall pay to Buyer the amount, if any, by
which $0 exceeds the Closing Working Capital reflected in the
Statement of Working Capital, or (B) Buyer shall pay to Lee
the lesser of (a) $875,000 or (b) the amount, if any, by
which the Closing Working Capital reflected in the Statement of
Working Capital exceeds $0. Any and all payments made pursuant to
this Section 2.3(b)(iii) shall be made by wire transfer
of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing
by the party to receive such payment. Any payment made pursuant to
this Section 2.3(b)(iii) shall be deemed to be an
adjustment to the Purchase Price and included in the allocation of
the Purchase Price set forth in Schedule G pursuant
to Section 2.3(c) hereof and allocated to purchase of
working capital.
(iv) If Buyer disagrees with the Statement of Working Capital,
then Buyer shall notify Lee in writing (the "Notice of
Disagreement") of such disagreement within fifteen
(15) calendar days following delivery of the Statement of
Working Capital. If Lee has not received a Notice of Disagreement
within such fifteen (15) day period, Buyer shall be deemed to
have accepted the Statement of Working Capital. Any Notice of
Disagreement shall set forth in reasonable detail the adjustments
Buyer proposes to make to the Statement of Working Capital and the
basis therefor and shall be consistent with the provisions of
Section 2.3(b)(ii) . Thereafter, Lee and Buyer shall
attempt in good faith to resolve and finally determine the amount
of the Closing Working Capital. If Lee and Buyer are unable to
resolve the disagreement within thirty (30) calendar days
following delivery of the Notice of Disagreement, then Lee and
Buyer shall select a mutually acceptable, nationally recognized
independent accounting firm that does not then have a present
relationship with Lee or Buyer (the "Independent Accountant"), to
resolve the disagreement and make a determination with respect
thereto. If Lee and Buyer are unable, within ten (10) calendar
days, to select a mutually acceptable Independent Accountant, then
each of Lee and Buyer shall select a nationally
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recognized independent accounting firm and these
two firms will choose a nationally recognized independent
accounting firm which will serve as the Independent Accountant. The
determination of the Independent Accountant to resolve the
disagreement between Lee and Buyer as to the Statement of Working
Capital will be made, and written notice thereof given to Lee and
Buyer, within thirty (30) calendar days after the selection of
the Independent Accountant. The determination by the Independent
Accountant shall be final, binding and conclusive upon Lee and
Buyer. The scope of the Independent Accountant’s engagement
(which will not be an audit) shall be limited to the resolution of
the disputed items described in the Notice of Disagreement, and the
recalculation, if any, of the Statement of Working Capital in light
of such resolution. If an Independent Accountant is engaged
pursuant to this Section 2.3(b)(iv) , the fees and
expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be borne equally by
Lee and Buyer. Within ten (10) calendar days after delivery of
a notice of determination by the Independent Accountant as
described above, any payment required by
Section 2.3(b)(iii) hereof shall be made, based on such
determination.
(c) Allocation of Purchase Price to the Acquired Assets .
As soon as practicable after the Closing Date and no later than
sixty (60) days thereafter, Lee shall provide Buyer with a
draft of Internal Revenue Service Form 8594 allocating the
consideration payable under Section 2.3(a) which shall
not be materially different from the allocation set forth on
Schedule G (except for the adjustment to the Purchase
Price provided in Section 2.3(b)(iii) ). Buyer shall
review such Form 8594 and provide any comments with respect thereto
to Lee not more than thirty (30) days after the date
Lee’s draft is provided to Buyer. Each of Buyer and Lee shall
report the allocation (and any adjustments thereto) for Tax
purposes and file its Tax Returns (including Form 8594) in a manner
consistent with any mutually-agreed allocations determined pursuant
to Schedule G , as adjusted pursuant to
Section 2.3(b)(iii) .
2.4 Further Assurances . At and after the Closing, and
without further consideration therefor, (a) Lee Enterprises
and Lee Procurement shall execute and deliver to Buyer such further
instruments and certificates of conveyance and transfer as Buyer
may reasonably request in order to more effectively convey and
transfer the Acquired Assets to Buyer and to put Buyer in
operational control of the Business, or to aid, assist, collect and
reduce to possession any of the Acquired Assets and exercise rights
with respect thereto, and (b) Buyer shall execute and deliver
to Lee such further instruments and certificates of assumption,
novation and release as Lee may reasonably request in order to
effectively make Buyer responsible for all Assumed Liabilities and
release Lee therefrom to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable Law. The parties hereby waive compliance with the
provisions of any applicable bulk sales Law of any jurisdiction in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and no
representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement
shall be deemed to have been breached as a result of such
non-compliance.
2.5 Nontransferable Business Contracts . To the extent
that transfer or assignment hereunder by Lee to Buyer of any
agreement, contract, binding understanding, instrument or legally
binding commitment or understanding (a "Contract") included in the
Acquired Assets (an "Assumed Contract") is not permitted or is not
permitted without the consent of another Person,
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this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute
an undertaking to assign the same if such consent is not given or
if such an undertaking otherwise would constitute a breach thereof
or cause a loss of benefits thereunder. Lee shall use reasonable
efforts to obtain any and all such third party consents under all
Assumed Contracts; provided, however, that Lee shall not be
required to pay or incur any cost or expense (excluding reasonable
internal staff time and reasonable expenses for postage,
stationery, telephone calls and similar costs) to obtain any third
party consent. If any such third party consent is not obtained
before the Closing, Lee shall, for a period of one (1) year
after the Closing without obligation of Lee to pay or incur any
cost or expense related thereto (excluding reasonable internal
staff time and reasonable expenses for postage, stationery,
telephone calls and similar costs), use reasonable efforts to:
(a) obtain such consent, (b) cooperate with Buyer in any
reasonable arrangement designed to provide Buyer the benefits of
the applicable Assumed Contract and (c) enforce any rights of
Lee under or with respect to the applicable Assumed Contract
against all other Persons (including termination thereof in
accordance with the terms thereof upon the election of Buyer). In
addition, if any such third party consent is not obtained before
the Closing, Buyer shall perform the obligations of Lee under such
Assumed Contract to the extent that such obligation would have been
an Assumed Liability but for the fact that such consent has not
been so obtained.
2.6 Closing . The purchase and sale (the "Closing")
provided for in this Agreement, except to the extent that Buyer and
Lee agree on another time and place, will take place at the offices
of Lane & Waterman LLP, 220 N. Main Street, Suite 600,
Davenport, IA 52801, at 10:00 a.m. (local time), on October 2,
2006 or not later than two (2) Business Days following the
satisfaction and fulfillment or, if permissible pursuant to the
terms hereof, waiver of the conditions contained in
Article 7 (with a pre-Closing to be held on
September 29, 2006 at a time and place mutually agreeable to
the parties).
2.7 Closing Obligations . At the Closing:
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(ii) duly executed copies of the certificates
pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of
Section 7.3 ;
(iii) a duly executed counterpart of the Bill of Sale;
(iv) a duly executed counterpart of the Assignment and
Assumption Agreement and such documentation necessary related to
the assignment and assumption of the contracts set forth in
Sections 2.2(b)(i) and (iv) hereof;
(v) a duly executed counterpart of the Transition Services
Agreement; and
(vi) duly executed counterparts of all other instruments and
certificates of assumption, novation and release as Lee may
reasonably request in order to effectively make Buyer responsible
for all Assumed Liabilities and release Lee Enterprises or Lee
Procurement, as applicable, therefrom to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable Law.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LEE
Except as disclosed in the disclosure schedules delivered by Lee
to Buyer immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement (it
being agreed that any information set forth in one section of such
disclosure schedules shall be deemed to apply to each other section
thereof to which its relevance is reasonably apparent) (the "Lee
Disclosure Schedules"), Lee represents and warrants to Buyer as
follows:
3.1 Organization; Qualification; Authority . Each of Lee
Enterprises and Lee Procurement is a legal entity duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its
jurisdiction of organization. Each of Lee Enterprises and Lee
Procurement has the corporate power and authority to carry on the
Business and is qualified to do business and is in good standing as
a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where qualification as a
foreign corporation is required to carry on the Business, except
where the failure to be so organized, validly existing, qualified
or in good standing, or to have such power or authority, would not
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Business Material Adverse
Effect. As used in this Agreement, any reference to any facts,
circumstances, events or changes having a "Business Material
Adverse Effect" means such facts, circumstances, events or changes
that are, or would reasonably be expected to become, materially
adverse to the business, financial condition or continuing
operations of the Business taken as a whole, but shall not include
facts, circumstances, events or changes (a) generally
affecting the newspaper or classified publications industry in the
United States or the economy or the financial or securities markets
in the United States or elsewhere in the world, including
regulatory and political conditions or developments (including any
outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of war or terrorism)
or (b) resulting
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from (i) the announcement or the existence
of, or compliance with, this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the effect of the announcement of,
or the existence of the plan to sell, the Business; or
(ii) any litigation arising from allegations of a violation of
applicable Law relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby; or (iii) changes in applicable Law, GAAP
or accounting standards.
3.2 Corporate Authority Relative to this Agreement; No
Violation .
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(a) Each of Lee Enterprises and Lee Procurement has all
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to be executed and delivered
by such corporation and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements to be executed and delivered by each
of Lee Enterprises and Lee Procurement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and
validly authorized by the Boards of Directors of such corporations,
and no other corporate proceedings on the part of each of Lee
Enterprises and Lee Procurement are necessary to authorize the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
This Agreement has been, and the Ancillary Agreements to be
executed and delivered by each of Lee Enterprises and Lee
Procurement will, as of the Closing, have been, duly and validly
executed and delivered by each of Lee Enterprises and Lee
Procurement, and (assuming this Agreement constitutes, and as of
the Closing the Ancillary Agreements to be executed and delivered
by Buyer will constitute the valid and binding agreement of Buyer)
this Agreement constitutes, and as of the Closing, the Ancillary
Agreements to be executed and delivered by each of Lee Enterprises
and Lee Procurement will constitute, the valid and binding
agreements of such corporation, enforceable against each of Lee
Enterprises and Lee Procurement in accordance with their terms.
(b) Other than in connection with or in compliance with
(i) the Delaware General Corporation Law and Iowa Business
Corporation Act; and (ii) the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act") and other federal and
state competition Laws (collectively, the "Lee Approvals"), no
authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any
Governmental Entity or other Person is necessary under applicable
Law for the consummation by each of Lee Enterprises or Lee
Procurement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Ancillary Agreements to which such corporation is a party,
except for such authorizations, consents, approvals or filings
that, if not obtained or made, would not have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Business Material Adverse Effect or materially
impair or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby.
(c) The execution and delivery by each of Lee Enterprises and
Lee Procurement of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to
be executed and delivered by such corporation do not, and, except
as described in Section 3.2(b) , the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance
with the provisions hereof and thereof will not (i) result in
any violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of
time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any material obligation or to the
loss of a material benefit under any loan, guarantee of
indebtedness or credit
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agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
lease, agreement, contract, instrument, permit, concession,
franchise, right or license binding upon (x) Lee or
(y) to the Knowledge of Lee, the Business or the Acquired
Assets or result in the creation of any liens, claims, mortgages,
encumbrances, pledges, security interests, equities or charges of
any kind (each, a "Lien"), other than any such Lien (A) for
Taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims of payment not
yet due, being contested in good faith and for which adequate
accruals or reserves have been established on the Business Balance
Sheet, (B) which is a carriers’, warehousemen’s,
mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other
similar lien arising in the ordinary course of business,
(C) which is disclosed on the Business Balance Sheet or
securing liabilities reflected on such balance sheet or
(D) which was incurred in the ordinary course of business
since the date of the Business Balance Sheet and is immaterial in
amount and is disclosed on the Statement of Working Capital as
provided in Section 2.3(b)(ii) (each of the foregoing,
a "Permitted Lien"), upon any of the properties or Assets included
in the Acquired Assets; (ii) conflict with or result in any
violation of any provision of the articles or certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or other equivalent organizational
document, in each case as amended, of Lee Enterprises and Lee
Procurement; or (iii) conflict with or violate in any material
respect any applicable Laws.
3.3 Business Financial Statements . Section 3.3 of
the Lee Disclosure Schedules contains (i) the unaudited
balance sheet of the Business as at September 30, 2005; and
(ii) the unaudited balance sheet of the Business as at
June 30, 2006 (the June 30, 2006 balance sheet is
referred to as the "Business Balance Sheet"), and the related
unaudited statements of income for the twelve-month period ended
September 30, 2005 and nine-month period ended June 30,
2006 (collectively, the "Business Financial Statements"). Except as
disclosed in Section 3.3 of the Lee Disclosure Schedules, the
Business Financial Statements have been prepared from the books and
records of the Business and fairly present in all material respects
the financial position of the Business as at September 30,
2005 and June 30, 2006 and the results of operations for the
twelve months ended September 30, 2005, and the nine months
ended June 30, 2006 in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied, except that the Business Financial Statements are summary
in nature, do not include an accrual for vacation and leave of
absence time, and do not include the notes and related disclosures
required by GAAP. Any interim financial statement shall be prepared
substantially in a manner consistent with the Business Financial
Statements.
The accounts receivable of the Business have arisen from bona
fide transactions in the ordinary course of business. Subject to
Lee Enterprises’ allowance for doubtful accounts policy
listed in Section 3.3 of the Lee Disclosure Schedules, all
such receivables as of the date hereof are currently due, and not
subject to any express performance obligations by the Seller prior
to collection. Said accounts receivable, to the Knowledge of
Seller, are subject to no defenses, counterclaims or rights of
setoffs.
3.4 No Undisclosed Liabilities . Except as disclosed in
Section 3.4 of the Lee Disclosure Schedules or except
(a) as reflected, reserved against or otherwise disclosed in
the Business Balance Sheet (or the notes thereto), (b) for
liabilities permitted by or incurred pursuant to this Agreement,
(c) for liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business since June 30, 2006 and disclosed in the
Statement of Working Capital as provided in Section
2.3(b)(ii)
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and (d) for liabilities or obligations which
have been discharged or paid in full in the ordinary course of
business, as of the date hereof, Lee has no liabilities or
obligations arising out of or relating to the operation of the
Business, and there are no liabilities or obligations of the
Business, of any nature, in each case, whether or not accrued,
contingent or otherwise, that would be required by GAAP to be
reflected on the Business Balance Sheet (or in the notes thereto),
other than those which would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Business Material Adverse Effect.
3.5 Compliance with Law; Permits.
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(a) With respect to the Business, Lee is in compliance with and
is not in default under or in violation of any applicable federal,
state, local or foreign constitution, law, statute, ordinance,
rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction, decree or agency
requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or
otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any
Governmental Entity (collectively, "Laws" and each, a "Law"),
except where such non-compliance, default or violation would not
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Business Material Adverse
Effect (provided that Lee has disclosed on the Disclosure Schedules
any such non-compliance, default or violation of which it has
Knowledge irrespective of whether it has had or may reasonably be
expected to have a Business Material Adverse Effect).
(b) With respect to the Business, Lee is in possession of all
franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements,
variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders
of any Governmental Entity necessary for each entity to own, lease
and operate its properties and Assets and to carry on the Business
as it is now being conducted (the "Lee Permits"), except where the
failure to have any of Lee Permits would not have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Business Material Adverse Effect (provided Lee
has disclosed on the Disclosure Schedules any such failure to have
such Lee Permits of which it has Knowledge irrespective of whether
it has had or may reasonably be expected to have a Business
Material Adverse Effect). To the Knowledge of Lee, all Lee Permits
are in full force and effect.
3.6 Environmental Laws and Regulations .
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(a) Except as identified in any Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment identified in Section 3.6 of the Lee Disclosure
Schedules, or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have
a Business Material Adverse Effect, (i) Lee has conducted the
Business in material compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws; (ii) to the Knowledge of Lee, no Hazardous Substance is
present in, on, under or about any of the properties used in
connection with the operation of the Business in amounts exceeding
the levels permitted by applicable Environmental Laws and for which
Lee or Buyer would reasonably be expected to be liable for
investigation and remediation; (iii) Lee has not received any
notices, demand letters or requests for information from any
Governmental Entity indicating that Lee may be in violation of, or
liable under, any Environmental Law relating to the operation of
the Business; (iv) no Hazardous Substance has been disposed
of, released or transported by Lee in violation of any applicable
Environmental Law, or in a manner giving rise to any liability
under Environmental Law, from
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any of the properties used in connection with the
operation of the Business during the time such properties were
owned, rented, or leased by Lee; and (v) none of the
properties that are used in connection with the operation of the
Business and currently owned, rented, or leased by Lee are subject
to any liabilities of Lee relating to any suit, settlement, court
order, administrative order, regulatory requirement, judgment or
written claim asserted or arising under any Environmental Law. It
is agreed and understood that this Section 3.6 contains
Lee’s entire representation and warranty relating to
environmental matters, and no other representation or warranty
contained in this Agreement shall be construed to include any
representation or warranty regarding environmental
matters.
(b) As used herein, "Environmental Law" means any Law relating
to (x) the protection, preservation or restoration of the
environment (including air, water vapor, surface water,
groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land,
plant and animal life or any other natural resource),
(y) worker safety from environmental hazards and Hazardous
Substances or (z) the exposure to, or the use, storage,
recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing,
handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of Hazardous
Substances, in each case as in effect at the date hereof.
(c) As used herein, "Hazardous Substance" means any substance
presently listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous,
toxic, radioactive or dangerous, or otherwise regulated, under any
Environmental Law. Hazardous Substance includes any substance to
which exposure is regulated by any Governmental Entity or any
Environmental Law, including any toxic waste, pollutant,
contaminant, hazardous substance, toxic substance, hazardous waste,
special waste, industrial substance or petroleum or any derivative
or byproduct thereof, radon, radioactive material, asbestos or
asbestos containing material, urea formaldehyde, foam insulation or
polychlorinated biphenyls or toxic mold.
3.7 Employee Benefit Plans .
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(a) Section 3.7(a) of the Lee Disclosure Schedules lists
all material benefit plans provided to the Business Employees (each
a "Benefit Plan" and collectively, the "Benefit Plans").
Lee’s current employees who provide services primarily with
respect to the Business are each a "Business Employee" and
collectively, the "Business Employees".
(b) Other than as disclosed on Section 3.7(a) of the Lee
Disclosure Schedules, Lee has no commitment to establish any new
Benefit Plan (except to the extent required by Law or to conform
any such Benefit Plan to the requirements of any applicable Law, or
as required by this Agreement) or to modify any Benefit Plan for
the benefit of the Business Employees.
(c) Each Benefit Plan has been maintained and administered in
compliance with its terms and with applicable Law, including ERISA
and the IRC to the extent applicable thereto, except for such
non-compliance which would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Business Material Adverse Effect, and Lee has no
Knowledge of any material non-compliance and has received no notice
from any governmental agency with respect to same.
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(d) Any Benefit Plan intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the IRC and each trust intended to
qualify under Section 501(a) of the IRC:
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(i) has either applied for, prior to the expiration of the
requisite period under applicable Treasury Regulations or IRS
pronouncements, or obtained a favorable determination,
notification, advisory and/or opinion letter, as applicable, as to
its qualified status from the IRS or still has a remaining period
of time under applicable Treasury Regulations or IRS pronouncements
in which to apply for such letter and to make any amendments
necessary to obtain a favorable determination;
(ii) incorporates or has been amended to incorporate all
provisions required to comply with the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and
subsequent legislation; and
(iii) has had no event, condition or circumstance that has
adversely affected or is likely to adversely affect such qualified
status; and
(iv) is not a Multi-employer Plan or Defined Benefit Pension
Plan within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA.
(e) All contributions to the Lee Enterprises Retirement Account
Plan or the Lee Enterprises Supplementary Benefit Plan that will
have been required to be made with respect to periods and/or
benefits accrued and/or amounts withheld prior to the Closing Date
under such plans will have been made prior to the Closing or will
be made or accrued promptly after the Closing Date and any accruals
or amounts withheld and not paid will be included in the Statement
of Working Capital as provided in Section 2.3(b)(ii).
3.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events . Since
June 30, 2006, except as otherwise contemplated, required or
permitted by this Agreement or as described in Section 3.8 of
the Lee Disclosure Schedules, the Business has been conducted, in
all material respects, in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice and there has not been (i) any
event, development or state of circumstances that has had,
individually or in the aggregate, a Business Material Adverse
Effect; (ii) any material change in accounting methods,
principles or practices with respect to the Business;
(iii) any agreement by Lee, with respect to the Business, to
acquire, any business or corporation, partnership, association or
other business organization or division thereof; or (vii) any
sale, lease, license or other disposition of any material
properties or Assets of the Business or any material properties or
Assets included in the Acquired Assets, other than in the ordinary
course of business.
3.9 Investigations; Litigation . As of the date hereof,
(a) there is no investigation or review pending or, to the
Knowledge of Lee, threatened by any Governmental Entity with
respect to the Business and (b) except as described in
Sect
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