Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit 10.2
[Final Form]
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of October 18, 2021, is made and entered into by and among Vivid Seats, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), Hoya Topco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Topco), and Horizon Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Sponsor, and, together with Topco and any person or entity who is identified on the signature pages hereto as a Holder or hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, the Holders and each, a Holder).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Horizon Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company and predecessor to the Company (Horizon), and the Sponsor are party to that certain Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2020 (the Original Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Company, Topco, the Sponsor, Horizon and Hoya Intermediate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Intermediate) have entered into that certain Transaction Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the Transaction Agreement);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, Horizon merged with and into the Company, with Horizon ceasing to exist as a separate corporation and the Company surviving the merger as the surviving corporation;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company (as may be amended and restated from time to time, the Company Certificate of Incorporation), the Company is authorized to issue the following classes of stock: (a) Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the Class A Common Stock), (b) Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share and (c) Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share;
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the closing of its initial public offering, Horizon issued and sold certain of its redeemable private placement warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of Horizon, par value $0.0001 per share (the Class A Ordinary Shares), to the Sponsor or its Affiliates as part of Horizons private placement units (the Private Placement Warrants);
WHEREAS, Horizon and Sponsor have entered into that certain Exchange Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the Exchange Agreement) pursuant to which, among other things, effective prior to the Merger, Sponsor irrevocably surrendered to Horizon 13,599,608 Class B ordinary shares of Horizon, par value $0.0001 per share (the Class B Ordinary Shares), in exchange for (a) warrants to purchase 17,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of $10.00 per share (the New $10.00 Exercise Warrants), (b) warrants to purchase 17,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of $15.00 per share (the New $15.00 Exercise Warrants and, together with the Private Placement Warrants and the New $10.00 Exercise Warrants, the Warrants) and (c) 50,000 Class A Ordinary Shares;
WHEREAS, upon the Effective Time, each Class A Ordinary Share was converted into one share of Class A Common Stock, as set forth in the Transaction Agreement, and each Warrant issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time became a warrant exercisable to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable warrant agreement;
WHEREAS, upon the closing of the Transactions, certain investors (collectively, the PIPE Investors) purchased an aggregate of 22,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act (as defined below) pursuant to certain subscription agreements, each dated as of April 21, 2021, and entered into by Horizon and each of the PIPE Investors (each, a Subscription Agreement and, collectively, the Subscription Agreements);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Intermediate (Second A&R LLCA), Intermediate has provided Topco with a redemption right pursuant to which Topco may redeem its Intermediate Common Units (as defined below) for cash or, at the option of the Board of Managers of Intermediate, exchange Intermediate Common Units for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Second A&R LLCA and the Company Certificate of Incorporation; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions described above, the Company (as successor to Horizon) and the Sponsor desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein, and the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Transaction Agreement. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
Action means any claim, action, suit, charge, audit, examination, assessment, arbitration, mediation or inquiry, or any proceeding or investigation, by or before any Governmental Authority.
Adverse Disclosure means any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the chief executive officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (a) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
2
material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (b) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (c) as to which the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person who directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. The term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms controlled and controlling have meanings correlative thereto.
Agreement has the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.
Board means the board of directors of the Company.
Class A Common Stock has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Closing Date means October 18, 2021.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Company has the meaning given in the Preamble hereto and includes the Companys successors by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.
Company Certificate of Incorporation has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Demanding Holder has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
Form S-1 Shelf has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
Form S-3 Shelf has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
Governmental Authority means any federal, national, state, provincial or municipal government, or any political subdivision thereof, and any agency, commission, department, board, bureau, official, minister, arbitral body (public or private), tribunal or court, whether national, state, provincial, local, foreign or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of a nation, state, province or municipal government, or any political subdivision thereof, including any authority having governmental or quasi-governmental powers, domestic or foreign.
3
Holders has the meaning given in the Preamble hereto, for so long as such person or entity holds any Registrable Securities.
Holder Information has the meaning given in subsection 4.1.2.
Horizon has the meaning given in the preamble hereto.
Intermediate has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Intermediate Common Units means the common units of Intermediate.
Lock-Up Period shall mean the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending twelve (12) months following the Closing Date.
Maximum Number of Securities has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
Minimum Takedown Threshold has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
Misstatement means an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Original Agreement has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Permitted Transferee means, in the case of any Holder, a person to whom, or entity to which, Registrable Securities are transferred by such Holder; provided that (a) such transfer does not violate the Companys governing documents, or any agreements between such Holder and the Company or any of the Companys subsidiaries and (b) such transferee shall only be a Permitted Transferee if and to the extent the transferor designates the transferee as a Permitted Transferee entitled to rights hereunder pursuant to subsection 5.2.3.
Piggyback Registration has the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
PIPE Investors has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Prospectus means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance on Rules 430A or 430B under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
Registrable Security means (a) any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (which shall include all shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exchange of Intermediate Common Units (including Intermediate Common Units issued in the future pursuant to the exercise of any Topco Intermediate Warrants) outstanding on the date of this Agreement or upon the exercise of any Warrants outstanding on the
4
date of this Agreement and all shares of Class A Common Stock originally issued as Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and later converted into Class A Common Stock, but exclude any security received pursuant to an incentive plan adopted by the Company or its subsidiaries on or after the Closing Date); (b) any Warrants held by a Holder immediately following the Closing; (c) any shares of Class A Common Stock issued by the Company to a Holder in connection with the exchange of Intermediate Common Units acquired by a Holder following the date hereof; (d) any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or warrants to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock (including any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such warrant) of the Company acquired by a Holder following the date hereof to the extent that such securities are restricted securities (as defined in Rule 144) or are otherwise held by an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and (e) any other equity security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a conversion, distribution, exchange, reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to constitute Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the date on which such securities have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged pursuant to an effective Registration Statement, pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other exemption from registration under the securities laws of the United States; and (ii) the date on which such securities cease to be outstanding. For the avoidance of doubt, while Intermediate Common Units may constitute Registrable Securities, under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to register Intermediate Common Units, and only shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon redemption or exchange of Intermediate Common Units will be registered.
Registration means a registration, including any related Shelf Takedown, effected by preparing and filing a registration statement, prospectus or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
Registration Expenses means the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(a) | all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed; |
(b) | fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities); |
(c) | printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; |
(d) | reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company; |
(e) | reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and |
5
(f) | reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders in an Underwritten Offering. |
Registration Statement means any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
Requesting Holder means any Holder requesting piggyback rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to an Underwritten Shelf Takedown.
Second A&R LLCA has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
Shelf has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
Shelf Registration means a registration of securities pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).
Shelf Takedown means an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggyback Registration.
Sponsor has the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
Stockholders Agreement means that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2021, by and among the Sponsor, Topco and the Company.
Subscription Agreements has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Subsequent Shelf Registration has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.
Topco has the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
Topco Intermediate Warrants means warrants to purchase (i) 3,000,000 Intermediate Common Units at an exercise price of $10.00 per share and (ii) 3,000,000 Intermediate Common Units at an exercise price of $15.00 per share, in each case issued to Topco in connection with the Transactions.
Transaction Agreement has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Transactions has the meaning given in the Transaction Agreement.
Transfer means the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security, or (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise.
6
Underwriter means any investment banker(s) and manager(s) appointed to administer the offering of any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering.
Underwritten Offering means a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
Underwritten Shelf Takedown has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.
Warrants has the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Well-Known Seasoned Issuer has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.
Withdrawal Notice has the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS
2.1 Shelf Registration.
2.1.1 Filing. The Company shall file, within 30 days of the Closing Date, a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the Form S-1 Shelf) or, if the Company is eligible to use a Registration Statement on Form S-3, a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the Form S-3 Shelf, and together with the Form S-1 Shelf, as applicable (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration), the Shelf), in each case, covering the resale of all the Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing) on a delayed or continuous basis. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Shelf to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing. The Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder. The Company shall maintain the Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep such Shelf continuously effective, available for use and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form S-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) to a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3.
2.1.2 Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4 use its reasonable best efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including obtaining the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf), and shall use its reasonable best efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend
7
such Shelf in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional registration statement as a Shelf Registration (a Subsequent Shelf Registration) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (a) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if the Company is a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer) and (b) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective, available for use and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on another appropriate form. In the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon request of a Holder shall promptly use its reasonable best efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at the Companys option, the Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or a Subsequent Shelf Registration and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered once annually after inquiry of the Holders.
2.1.3 Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. At any time and from time to time after the Shelf has been declared effective by the Commission, Topco or the Sponsor (in such case, a Demanding Holder) may request to sell all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder with a total offering price (including piggyback securities and before underwriting discounts) reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $50,000,000 (the Minimum Takedown Threshold). All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. The Holders that requested such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one (1) or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the initial Demanding Holders prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Topco, on the one hand, and the Sponsor, on the other hand, may each demand not more than three (3) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns pursuant to this Section 2.1.3 in any twelve-(12-) month period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering.
8
2.1.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advise the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Holders requesting piggyback rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the Requesting Holders) (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and all other equity securities, if any, that have been requested to be sold in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights held by any other shareholders, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the Maximum Number of Securities), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: At all times (a) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (b) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (a), the equity securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (c) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) such other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to include in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.1.5 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable red herring prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a Withdrawal Notice) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Shelf Takedown; provided that Topco or the Sponsor may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by Topco or the Sponsor, as applicable. If withdrawn, a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall constitute a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown for purposes of subsection 2.1.3, unless either (a) such withdrawal occurs during a period the Company has deferred taking action pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof or (b) the withdrawing Holder reimburses the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided that, if Topco or the Sponsor elects to continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall count as an Underwritten Shelf Takedown demanded by Topco or the Sponsor, as applicable, for purposes of subsection 2.1.3. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5, other than if a Demanding Holder elects to pay such Registration Expenses pursuant to the second sentence of this subsection 2.1.5.
9
2.2 Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If the Company (for its own account or for the account of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities) or any Holder proposes to conduct a registered offering of, or if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration of equity securities of the Company, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities of the Company, for its own account or for the account of shareholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the shareholders of the Company including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (or any registered offering with respect thereto) (a) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (b) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (c) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Companys existing shareholders, (d) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (e) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than five (5) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the launch date of such offering, which notice shall (i) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any and if known, in such offering, and (ii) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to include in such registered offering such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within two (2) days after receipt of such written notice (such registered offering, a Piggyback Registration). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggyback Registration to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Holders Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration shall be subject to such Holders agreement to abide by the terms of Section 3.3 below.
2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of the equity securities that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (a) the Registrable Securities, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof and (b) the equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
10
(i) If the Registration or registered offering is undertaken for the Companys account, the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, the equity securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Registration, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggyback registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(ii) If the Registration or registered offering is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, the equity securities of such requesting persons or entities that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the equity securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback arrangements with such persons or entities that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
(iii) If the Registration or registered offering is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering securities pursuant to subsection 2.1.4.
2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by Section 2.1.5) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable red herring prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration (which, in no circumstance, shall include the Shelf) at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than Section 2.1.5), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.
11
2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, subject to subsection 2.1.5, any Piggyback Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under subsection 2.1.3 hereof.
2.3 Restrictions on Transfer. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company, each Holder that holds more than 10% of the issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock (on a fully-exchanged basis after giving effect to the exchange of all Intermediate Common Units for Class A Common Stock) and each Holder participating in the Underwritten Offering, agrees that it shall not Transfer any shares of Class A Common Stock (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Company, during the seven (7) days prior (to the extent notice of such Underwritten Offering has been provided) to and the 90-day period beginning on the date of pricing of such offering, except in the event the Underwriter managing the offering otherwise agrees by written consent. Each Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an Underwritten Offering, a Holder shall not be subject to this Section 2.3 with respect to an Underwritten Offering unless each shareholder of the Company that (together with their Affiliates) hold at least 10% of the issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock (on a fully-exchanged basis after giving effect to the exchange of all Intermediate Common Units for Class A Common Stock) and each of the Companys directors and executive officers have agreed to a lock-up on terms at least as restrictive with respect to such Underwritten Offering as requested of the Holders. A Holders obligations under the second sentence of this Section 2.3 shall only apply for so long as such Holder (together with its Affiliates) holds at least 10% of the issued and outstanding Class A Common Stock (on a fully-exchanged basis after giving effect to the exchange of all Intermediate Common Units for Class A Common Stock).
ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
3.1 General Procedures. In connection with effecting any Shelf Registration, Shelf Takedown and/or other disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement contemplated herein (to the extent applicable), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities;
12
3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder that holds at least five (5) percent of the Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;
3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its reasonable best efforts to (a) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (b) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
13
3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus (or such shorter period of time as may be necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as applicable), furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel (excluding any exhibits thereto and any filing made under the Exchange Act that is to be incorporated by reference therein);
3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;
3.1.10 permit representatives of the Holders, the Underwriters or other financial institutions facilitating each transaction, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such persons own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Companys officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, financial institution, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives, Underwriters or financial institutions agree to confidentiality arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
3.1.11 obtain a cold comfort letter from the Companys independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering or other disposition pursuant to a registration statement contemplated herein that is facilitated by a financial institution which the participating Holders may rely on, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters or financial institution, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, Underwriter or financial institution may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering or other disposition pursuant to a registration statement contemplated herein that is facilitated by a financial institution or similar agent, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering or such applicable financial institution;
14
3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months beginning with the first day of the Companys first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);
3.1.15 with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.1.3, use its reasonable best efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary road show presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.
3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of Registration Expenses, all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.
3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not provide the Company with its requested Holder Information, the Company may exclude such Holders Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that such information is necessary to effect the registration and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holders securities on the basis provided in any underwriting and other arrangements approved by the Company and (b) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. Subject to the minimum thresholds set forth in Section 2.1.3 and 3.1.15 of this Agreement, the exclusion of a Holders Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.
3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure; Restrictions on Registration Rights.
3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each Holder shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.
15
3.4.2 If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would (a) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Companys control or (c) in the good faith judgment of the majority of the Board, be seriously detrimental to the Company, and the majority of the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than 45 days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose; provided that such right to delay or suspend shall be exercised by the Company not more than two (2) times, which may be consecutive, in any 12-month period. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.
3.4.3 (a) During the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Companys good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, or (b) if, pursuant to Section 2.1.3, a Demanding Holder has requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and such Demanding Holder are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to Section 2.1.3.
3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System shall be deemed to have been furnished or delivered to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.5.
3.6 Other Obligations. In connection with a sale or transfer of Registrable Securities exempt from Section 5 of the Securities Act or through any broker-dealer transactions described in the plan of distribution set forth within the Prospectus and pursuant to the Registration Statement of which such Prospectus forms a part, the Company shall, subject to the receipt of any customary documentation reasonably required from the applicable Holders and/or their broker(s) in connection therewith, (a) promptly instruct its transfer agent to remove any restrictive legends applicable to the Registrable Securities being sold or transferred and (b) cause its legal counsel to deliver the necessary legal opinions, if any, to the transfer agent in connection with the instruction under subclause (a). In addition, the Company shall cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with the aforementioned sales or transfers; provided, however, that the Company shall have no obligation to participate in any road shows or assist with the preparation of any offering memoranda or related documentation with respect to any sale or transfer of Registrable Securities in any transaction that does not constitute an Underwritten Offering.
16
ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Indemnification.
4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) caused by any (a) untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (b) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder application and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance, except, in each case, insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information or affidavit furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.
4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the Holder Information) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders, and the liability of each such Holder shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.
17
4.1.3 Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (a) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any persons right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (b) unless in such indemnified partys reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one (1) counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Companys or such Holders indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under this Section 4.1 from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying partys and indemnified partys relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
18
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or electronic mail or postage prepaid mail (registered or certified) or nationally recognized overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand or electronic mail, or if mailed, three (3) days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of overnight courier service), as follows:
If, to the Company, to:
Vivid Seats LLC
111 N. Canal Street, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
Email: ***@***
***@***
Attention: Stanley Chia
Lawrence Fey
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
330 N. Wabash Avenue, Suite 2800
Chicago, IL 60611
Email: ***@***
***@***
***@***
Attention: Bradley C. Faris
Justin G. Hamill
Owen Alexander
If, to Sponsor or any of its Affiliates:
c/o Eldridge Industries
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 200
Greenwich, CT 06830
Email: ***@***
Attn: Robert Ott
19
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
2049 Century Park East, 37th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attention: Damon Fisher, P.C.
Email: ***@***
and
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attention: Christian Nagler
Wayne Williams
Email: ***@***
***@***
If to any other Holder, at such Holders address or facsimile number as set forth in the Companys books and records.
Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective ten (10) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.
5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.
5.2.2 Prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holders rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except to (a) an Affiliate of such Holder, (b) direct and/or indirect equity holders of any Holder pursuant to a distribution as described in Section 5.14 of this Agreement or (c) any person with the prior written consent of the Company. A sale or transfer that qualifies pursuant to an exemption from the Securities Act shall not be deemed to have been made pursuant to a Registration Statement.
5.2.3 After the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, a Holder may assign or delegate such Holders rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to (a) up to five (5) Permitted Transferees, provided, however, that each such Permitted Transferee holds, after giving effect to such assignment or delegation, at least two percent (2%) of the then-outstanding Class A Common Stock, (b) an Affiliate of such Holder, (c) direct and/or indirect equity holders of any Holder pursuant to a distribution as described in Section 5.14 of this Agreement or (d) any person with the prior written consent of the Company.
5.2.4 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders.
20
5.2.5 Other than as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any person or entity, other than the parties hereto and such successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable rights under this Agreement.
5.2.6 No assignment by any party hereto of such partys rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (a) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (b) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.
5.3 Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one (1) and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one (1) or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party. Facsimile or electronic mail transmission of counterpart signatures to this Agreement shall be acceptable and binding.
5.4 Governing Law; Venue.
5.4.1 This Agreement and all disputes, claims or controversies relating to, arising out of, or in connection with this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed in the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of laws, rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
5.4.2 Any proceeding or Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware), or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding or Action, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding or Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any proceeding or Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence Legal Proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action, suit or proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 5.4.2.
5.5 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues, and therefore each such party hereby irrevocably, unconditionally and voluntarily waives any right such party may have to a trial by jury in respect of any Action, suit or proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
21
5.6 Amendments and Waivers. Only upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the total Registrable Securities at the time in question as determined in good faith by the Company, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party or parties against whom such waiver is to be effective. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party. The rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have hereunder.
5.7 Other Registration Rights. Other than the PIPE Investors who have registration rights pursuant to their respective Subscription Agreements with respect to equity securities of the Company to be issued on the Closing Date, the Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to any Holder of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
5.8 Rule 144. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, the Company covenants that it will (a) make available information necessary to comply with Rule 144, if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, at all times, and (b) take such further action as the Holders may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities), as such rule may be amended from time to time. Upon the reasonable request of any Holder, the Company will deliver to it a written statement as to whether they have complied with such information requirements, and, if not, the specific reasons for non-compliance.
22
5.9 Term. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to any Holder on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.
5.10 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder, including, without limitation, for purposes of Section 5.8 hereof.
5.11 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
5.12 Specific Performance. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Company shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by a Holder and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof.
5.13 Entire Agreement; Restatement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. Upon the Closing, the Original Agreement shall no longer be of any force or effect. Upon any amendment or restatement, this Agreement shall no longer be of any force or effect.
5.14 Distributions. In the event that any Holder distributes, or has distributed, any of its Registrable Securities to its direct and/or indirect equity holders, such distributees shall be treated as the applicable Holder hereunder; provided that only the holders of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities held by all such distributees, as determined in good faith by the Company, shall be entitled to take any action under this Agreement that such Holder is entitled to take, provided, further, that such distributees, taken as a whole, shall not be entitled to rights in excess of those conferred to the applicable Holder, as if it remained a single entity party to this Agreement.
5.15 Adjustments. If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Registrable Securities by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or sale, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Registrable Securities as so changed.
23
5.16 Further Assurances. From time to time, at another partys request and without further consideration (but at the requesting partys reasonable cost and expense), each party shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
24
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: | ||
Vivid Seats Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Stanley Chia | |
Name: Stanley Chia | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
TOPCO: | ||
Hoya Topco, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Stanley Chia | |
Name: Stanley Chia | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
SPONSOR: | ||
Horizon Sponsor, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Todd Boehly | |
Name: Todd Boehly | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]