Exhibit 10.3
EXECUTION COPY
DISTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT
By and Among
TMCT II, LLC,
TRIBUNE COMPANY,
FORTIFICATION HOLDINGS
CORPORATION,
WICK HOLDINGS
CORPORATION,
EAGLE NEW MEDIA INVESTMENTS,
LLC,
EAGLE PUBLISHING INVESTMENTS,
LLC,
CHANDLER TRUST NO.
1,
and
CHANDLER TRUST
NO.2
September 21, 2006
DISTRIBUTION
AGREEMENT
This Distribution Agreement (the
“Agreement”), dated as of September 21, 2006, is by and
among TMCT II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
“Company”), Tribune Company, a Delaware corporation
(“Tribune”), Fortification Holdings Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (“Fortification”), Wick Holdings
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Wick”), Eagle New
Media Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“Eagle 1”), Eagle Publishing Investments, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (“Eagle 2” and,
collectively with Tribune, Fortification, Wick and Eagle 1, the
“Tribune Members”), Chandler Trust No. 1 (“Trust
1”) and Chandler Trust No. 2 (“Trust 2” and,
collectively with Trust 1, the “Trust Members”).
The Tribune Members and the Trust Members are collectively referred
to herein as the “Members.” Capitalized terms
used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of September 3, 1999 (as
further amended on August 14, 2000 and August 28, 2002, the
“Operating Agreement”).
R E C I T A L S
WHEREAS, the Company desires to make distributions to
Tribune, Eagle 1 and Eagle 2 (the “Distributions”);
and
WHEREAS , concurrently with the Distributions, the
Members desire to amend and restate the Operating
Agreement.
A G R E E M E N T
NOW, THEREFORE
, in consideration of the mutual
promises, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
Distribution
1.1
Distribution . On the Closing Date
(as defined below), the Company shall make distributions to (a)
Tribune in respect of the Interest held by Tribune by delivering to
Tribune (i) certificates representing 11,107,595 shares
of the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of Tribune (the
“Common Stock”) and (ii) certificates representing in
the aggregate 488,429 shares of any combination of the Series D-1
Preferred Stock, no par value, of Tribune (the “D-1 Preferred
Stock”) and the Series D-2 Preferred Stock, no par value, of
Tribune (the “D-2 Preferred Stock” and, collectively
with the D-1 Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”),
(b) Eagle 1 in respect of the Interest held by Eagle 1 by
delivering to Eagle 1 (i) certificates representing 6,529,444
shares of Common Stock and (ii) certificates representing in the
aggregate 52,940 shares of any combination of the D-1 Preferred
stock and the D-2 Preferred Stock and (c) Eagle 2 in respect of the
Interest held by Eagle 2 by delivering to Eagle 2
(i) certificates representing 11,542,423 shares of Common
Stock and (ii) certificates representing in the aggregate 84,703
shares of any combination of the D-1 Preferred Stock and the D-2
Preferred Stock. All such shares shall be distributed,
transferred and delivered to Tribune, Eagle 1 and Eagle 2 free and
clear of any lien (statutory or other), claim, charge, security
interest,
pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, preference, priority or other security
agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature.
Concurrently with the Distributions, the Members will enter into a
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for
the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
“Amended Operating Agreement”). Each of the
Members acknowledges and agrees that the sole interest of such
Member in the Company following the Closing Date shall be the
Interest of such Member as provided in, and governed by, the terms
of the Amended Operating Agreement.
1.2
Consent to Transactions . For all purposes of
the Operating Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 6.5
of the Operating Agreement, each of the Members hereby agrees and
consents to the transactions described in this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the Distributions. Each of the
Members further agrees to execute and deliver the Amended Operating
Agreement in order to carry out the purpose and intent of this
Agreement. Each of the Members (other than Tribune, Eagle 1
and Eagle 2) acknowledges that the Distributions provided for in
this Agreement are being made solely to Tribune, Eagle 1 and Eagle
2 and hereby waives any right it may have to receive a concurrent
distribution in accordance with the provisions of Article IX
of the Operating Agreement due to or on account of the
Distributions.
1.3
Continuation of Company . Each of the Members
hereby agrees that at all times relevant hereto the Company shall
continue and shall not be dissolved or deemed dissolved or
terminated due to or on account of the Distributions or any of the
transactions herein or any other reason. Each of the Members
agrees that it will not claim or assert in any forum a position
which is contrary to the purpose and intent of this Section
1.3.
ARTICLE II
Closing
2.1
Closing Date and Location . Subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, the closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) shall be held on
September 22, 2006 or at such other time on or before September 22,
2006 as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the
parties. The date of the Closing is sometimes referred to
herein as the “Closing Date.” The Closing shall
take place at the Offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 333
South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90071.
2.2
Deliveries by the Tribune Members . In addition to, and
without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, the Tribune
Members agree to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company
and the Trust Members at or prior to the Closing the
following:
(a)
Authorizations . Certified resolutions
of the Board of Directors or Managers, as applicable, of each of
the Tribune Members authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
herein; and
(b)
Amended Operating Agreement . A copy of the Amended
Operating Agreement duly executed by each of the Tribune
Members.
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2.3
Deliveries by the Company In addition to, and
without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, the Company
agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered at or prior to the
Closing the share certificates to Tribune, Eagle 1 and Eagle 2
described in Section 1.1, in the amounts and at the times indicated
in Section 1.1, together with any stock or other applicable powers,
duly executed on behalf of the Company, as may be necessary to
register the transfer of the shares represented by such
certificates.
2.4
Deliveries by the Trust Members In addition to, and
without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, the Trust
Members agree to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company
and the Tribune Members at or prior to the Closing a copy of the
Amended Operating Agreement duly executed by each of the Trust
Members.
2.5
Conditions Precedent .
(a)
Conditions to Obligations of the Company .
The
obligation of the Company to consummate the transactions provided
for hereby are subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the
Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, any of which may
be waived by the Company: (i) the representations and
warranties made by the Members herein shall be true and correct in
all material respects as of the date hereof and (ii) the Members
shall have performed and complied with all agreements, obligations
and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be
performed or complied with by the Members hereunder through and
including the Closing Date, and shall have obtained all approvals,
consents and qualifications necessary to complete the transactions
described herein.
(b)
Conditions to Obligations of the Tribune Members .
The
obligation of the Tribune Members to consummate the transactions
provided for hereby are subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to
the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, any of which
may be waived by the Tribune Members: (i) the representations
and warranties made by the Company and the Trust Members herein
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
hereof and (ii) the Company and the Trust Members shall have
performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and
conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be
performed or complied with by the Company and the Trust Members
hereunder through and including the Closing Date, and shall have
obtained all approvals, consents and qualifications necessary to
complete the transactions described herein.
(c)
Conditions to Obligations of the Trust Members .
The
obligation of the Trust Members to consummate the transactions
provided for hereby are subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to
the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, any of which
may be waived by the Trust Members: (i) the representations
and warranties made by the Company and the Tribune Members herein
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
hereof and (ii) the Company and the Tribune Members shall have
performed and complied with all agreements, obligations and
conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be
performed or complied with by the Company and the Tribune Members
hereunder through and including the Closing Date, and shall have
obtained all approvals, consents and qualifications necessary to
complete the transactions described herein.
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ARTICLE III
Representations And
Warranties
3.1
Representations and Warranties of Tribune Members .
Each of
the Tribune Members, jointly and severally, represents and warrants
to the Company and the Trust Members as follows:
(a)
Organization and Good Standing . Each of the Tribune
Members is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all
requisite power and authority to own its properties and assets and
to carry on its business as now conducted and as presently proposed
to be conducted.
(b)
Due Authorization . All action on the
part of each of the Tribune Members, its officers, directors,
members, managers and stockholders necessary for the authorization,
execution and delivery of, and the performance of all obligations
of such Tribune Member under, this Agreement has been taken.
Each of the Tribune Members has duly authorized, executed and
delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement is a valid and binding
obligation of each of the Tribune Members enforceable in accordance
with its terms, subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization and
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to
general equitable principles.
(c)
No Conflicts . Neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance with or
fulfillment of the terms, conditions and provisions hereof, by any
of the Tribune Members will conflict with, result in a breach of
the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default, an
event of default or an event creating rights of acceleration,
termination or cancellation or a loss of rights under (a) the
certificate of incorporation, by-laws, operating agreement or other
constitutional documents of such Tribune Member (b) any material
agreement, note, instrument, mortgage, lease, license, franchise,
permit or other authorization, right, restriction or obligation to
which such Tribune Member is a party or any of its respective
assets or business is subject or by which such Tribune Member is
bound, (c) any order, writ, injunction or decree to which such
Tribune Member is a party or any of its assets or business is
subject or by which such Tribune Member is bound or (d) any
applicable laws affecting such Tribune Member or its respective
assets or business.
(d)
Consents . No consent, approval or
authorization of, declaration to, or filing or registration with,
any governmental or regulatory authority, or any other person, is
required to be made or obtained by the Tribune Members or any of
their affiliates in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance by the Tribune Members of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than
filings that Tribune may make pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(e)
Representations of Tribune as Managing Member
.
(i)
Financial Statements . Tribune heretofore
has delivered to the Members true and correct copies of (A) the
Company’s audited balance sheet dated as of December 31, 2004
and unaudited balance sheet dated as of December 31, 2005 and (B)
the
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related
statements of the Member’s capital accounts for each of the
years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005 (collectively,
the “Financial Statements”). The Financial
Statements (1) have been prepared in all respects in accordance
with the terms of the Operating Agreement (except that all
Financial Statements have been prepared on a tax basis not in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), (2) are
in accordance with the books and records of the Company and
(3) fairly present the financial position of the Company as of
the respective dates thereof. The Company keeps books,
records and accounts that, in reasonable detail, accurately and
fairly reflect in all material respects the transactions and
dispositions of assets of the Company.
(ii)
Schedule of Members . Attached hereto as
Exhibit B is a true, complete and accurate copy of the Schedule of
Members as of the date hereof as required by the Operating
Agreement.
(iii)
Compliance with Operating Agreement . To the knowledge of
Tribune, since January 1, 2005, the Company has been operated in
compliance with the Operating Agreement in all material
respects.
(iv)
Tax Elections . No election under
Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), is in effect with respect to the
Company.
(f)
Rights Plan . None of the transactions
contemplated hereby, or the direct or indirect acquisition of
beneficial ownership of additional securities of Tribune by the
Company or the Trust Members as a result of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, shall cause either of the Trust
Members or the Company to be an “Acquiring Person”
pursuant to that certain Rights Agreement, between Tribune and
First Chicago Trust Company of New York, dated as of December 12,
1997 and as amended by Amendment No. 1 on June 12, 2000 and
Amendment No. 2 on September 21, 2006 (the “Rights
Plan”).
3.2
Representations and Warranties of Trust Members .
Each of
the Trust Members, jointly and severally, represents and warrants
to the Company and the Tribune Members as follows:
(a)
Due Authorization . All action on the
part of each of the Trust Members and its trustees necessary for
the authorization, execution and delivery of, and the performance
of all obligations of such Trust Members under, this Agreement has
been taken. Each of the Trust Members has duly authorized,
executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement is a
valid and binding obligation of each of the Trust Members
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization and similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable
principles.
(b)
No Conflicts . Neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance with or
fulfillment of the terms, conditions and provisions hereof, by any
of the Trust Members will conflict with, result in a breach of the
terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default, an
event of default or an event creating rights of acceleration,
termination or cancellation or a loss of rights under (a) the
constitutional documents of such Trust Member, (b) any
material
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agreement, note,
instrument, mortgage, lease, license, franchise, permit or other
authorization, right, restriction or obligation to which such Trust
Member is a party or any of its respective assets or business is
subject or by which such Trust Member is bound, (c) any order,
writ, injunction or decree to which such Trust Members is a party
or any of its assets or business is subject or by which such Trust
Members is bound or (d) any applicable laws affecting such Trust
Members or its respective assets or business.
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