1
EXHIBIT 10.173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
▇▇▇▇▇▇ COMMUNICATIONS OF ROANOKE-38, INC.,
VINE AND BRANCH, INC.
AND
EVANGEL FOURSQUARE CHURCH
FOR
TELEVISION STATION WEFC
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
* * *
MAY 28, 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
"Accounts Receivable" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
"Assets" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
"Assumed Contracts" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
"Closing" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"Closing Date" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"Consents" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"Contracts" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"FCC" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"FCC Consent" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"FCC Licenses" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"Final Order" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"Intangibles" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"Licenses" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
"Purchase Price" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
"Real Property" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
"Tangible Personal Property" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SECTION 2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Agreement to Sell and Buy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Excluded Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3 Purchase Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4 Payment of Purchase Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5 Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1 Organization, Standing, and Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Authorization and Binding Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3 Absence of Conflicting Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.4 Governmental Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.5 Title to and Condition of Real Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.6 Title to and Condition of Tangible Personal Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.7 Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.8 Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.9 Intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.10 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.11 Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.12 Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.13 Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
- i -
3
Page
----
3.14 Claims and Legal Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.15 Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.16 Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.17 Conduct of Business in Ordinary Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.18 Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.19 Broker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.20 Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.1 Organization, Standing, and Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.2 Authorization and Binding Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.3 Absence of Conflicting Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.4 Broker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.5 Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 5. OPERATIONS OF THE STATION PRIOR TO CLOSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.1 Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.2 Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3 Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.4 Disposition of Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.5 Encumbrances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.6 Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.7 Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.8 No Inconsistent Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.9 Access to Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.10 Maintenance of Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.11 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.12 Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.13 Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.14 Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.15 Financial Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.16 Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5.17 Financing Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.18 Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.19 Preservation of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.20 Collection of Accounts Receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.21 Personnel Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SECTION 6. SPECIAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.1 FCC Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.2 Control of the Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
- ii -
4
Page
----
6.3 Risk of Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.4 Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.5 Environmental Audit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.6 Engineering Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.7 Cooperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.8 Bulk Sales Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.9 Title Insurance and Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.10 Access to Books and Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.11 Appraisal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.12 Use of Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.13 Station Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.14 Assumption of Certain Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.15 Agreements with Evangel Foursquare Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 7. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SELLER AT CLOSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.1 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.2 Conditions to Obligations of Seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SECTION 8. CLOSING AND CLOSING DELIVERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
8.1 Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
8.2 Deliveries by Seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
8.3 Deliveries by Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 9. TERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
9.1 Termination by Seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
9.2 Termination by Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
9.3 Rights on Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 10. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;
INDEMNIFICATION; CERTAIN REMEDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.1 Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.2 Indemnification by Seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.3 Indemnification by Buyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
10.4 Procedure for Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
10.5 Specific Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
10.6 Attorneys' Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
11.1 Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
11.2 Arbitration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
- iii -
5
Page
----
11.3 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
11.4 Benefit and Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
11.5 Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
11.6 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
11.7 Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
11.8 Gender and Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
11.9 Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
11.10 Waiver of Compliance; Consents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
11.11 Press Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
11.12 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SCHEDULES
Schedule 2.2 -- Excluded Assets
Schedule 3.3 -- Consents
Schedule 3.4 -- Licenses
Schedule 3.5 -- Real Property
Schedule 3.6 -- Tangible Personal Property
Schedule 3.7 -- Contracts
Schedule 3.9 -- Intangibles
Schedule 3.10 -- Insurance Matters
Schedule 3.12 -- Employee Matters
Schedule 8.2(i) -- Opinion of Seller's Counsel
Schedule 8.3(d) -- Opinion of Buyer's Counsel
- iv -
6
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT is dated as of the 28th day of May,
1997, by and among ▇▇▇▇▇▇ COMMUNICATIONS OF ROANOKE-38, INC., a Florida
corporation ("Buyer"), VINE AND BRANCH, INC., a Virginia corporation
("Seller"), and Evangel Foursquare Church, unincorporated ("the Church").
R E C I T A L S
A. The Church owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
Seller.
B. Seller is the licensee of and owns and operates television station
WEFC(TV), Roanoke, Virginia (the "Station") pursuant to licenses issued by the
Federal Communications Commission ("FCC").
C. Seller desires to sell, and Buyer desires to buy, substantially all
the assets that are used or useful in the business or operations of the Station,
for the price and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
A G R E E M E N T S
In consideration of the above recitals and of the mutual agreements
and covenants contained in this Agreement, Buyer, Seller and the Church,
intending to be bound legally, agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
The following terms, as used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings
set forth in this Section:
"Accounts Receivable" means the rights of Seller to payment for the
sale of advertising time run on the Station by Seller prior to the Closing Date.
"Assets" means the assets to be sold, transferred, or otherwise
conveyed to Buyer under this Agreement, as specified in Section 2.1.
"Assumed Contracts" means (i) all Contracts listed in Schedule 3.7
that are specifically designated on Schedule 3.7 as Contracts that are to be
assumed by Buyer upon its purchase of the Station, (ii) any Contracts entered
into by Seller between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date that
Buyer agrees in writing to assume, and (iii) time sales contracts entered into
by Seller in compliance with Section 5.3.
7
- 2 -
"Closing" means the consummation of the purchase and sale of the
Assets pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section
8.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the Closing occurs, as
determined pursuant to Section 8.
"Consents" means the consents, permits, or approvals of government
authorities and other third parties necessary to transfer the Assets to Buyer
or otherwise to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
"Contracts" means all contracts, leases, non-governmental licenses,
and other agreements (including leases for personal or real property and
employment agreements), written or oral (including any amendments and other
modifications thereto) to which Seller is a party or which are binding upon
Seller and which relate to or affect the Assets or the business or operations
of the Station, and (i) which are in effect on the date of this Agreement or
(ii) which are entered into by Seller between the date of this Agreement and
the Closing Date.
"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission.
"FCC Consent" means action by the FCC granting its consent to the
assignment of the FCC Licenses to Buyer as contemplated by this Agreement.
"FCC Licenses" means all Licenses issued by the FCC to Seller in
connection with the business or operations of the Station.
"Final Order" means an action by the FCC that has not been reversed,
stayed, enjoined, set aside, annulled, or suspended, and with respect to which
no requests are pending for administrative or judicial review, reconsideration,
appeal, or stay, and the time for filing any such requests and the time for the
FCC to set aside the action on its own motion have expired.
"Intangibles" means all copyrights, trademarks, trade names, service
marks, service names, licenses, patents, permits, jingles, proprietary
information, technical information and data, machinery and equipment
warranties, and other similar intangible property rights and interests (and any
goodwill associated with any of the foregoing) applied for, issued to, or owned
by Seller or under which Seller is licensed or franchised and which are used or
useful in the business and operations of the Station, together with any
additions thereto between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date.
"Licenses" means all licenses, permits, and other authorizations
issued by the FCC, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other federal,
state, or local governmental
8
- 3 -
authorities to Seller in connection with the conduct of the business or
operations of the Station, together with any additions thereto between the date
of this Agreement and the Closing Date.
"Purchase Price" means the purchase price specified in Section 2.3.
"Real Property" means all real property and interests in real
property, including fee estates, leaseholds and subleaseholds, purchase
options, easements, licenses, rights to access, and rights of way, and all
buildings and other improvements thereon, and other real property interests
which are used or useful in the business or operations of the Station, together
with any additions thereto between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date.
"Tangible Personal Property" means all machinery, equipment, tools,
vehicles, furniture, leasehold improvements, office equipment, plant,
inventory, spare parts, and other tangible personal property which is used or
useful in the conduct of the business or operations of the Station, together
with any additions thereto between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date.
SECTION 2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS
2.1 Agreement to Sell and Buy. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller hereby agrees to sell, transfer,
and deliver to Buyer on the Closing Date, and Buyer agrees to purchase, all of
the tangible and intangible assets used or useful in connection with the
conduct of the business or operations of the Station, together with any
additions thereto between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, but
excluding the assets described in Section 2.2, free and clear of any claims,
liabilities, security interests, mortgages, liens, pledges, conditions,
charges, or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever (except for liens for current
taxes not yet due and payable), including the following:
(a) The Tangible Personal Property;
(b) The Real Property;
(c) The Licenses;
(d) The Assumed Contracts;
(e) The Intangibles and all intangible assets of Seller
relating to the Station that are not specifically included within the
Intangibles, including the goodwill of the Station, if any;
9
- 4 -
(f) All of Seller's proprietary information, technical
information and data, machinery and equipment warranties, maps, computer discs
and tapes, plans, diagrams, blueprints, and schematics, including filings with
the FCC relating to the business and operation of the Station;
(g) The Accounts Receivable as of 11:59 p.m., Roanoke,
Virginia time, on the day prior to the Closing Date;
(h) All choses in action of Seller relating to the
Station; and
(i) All books and records relating to the business or
operations of the Station, including executed copies of the Assumed Contracts,
and all records required by the FCC to be kept by the Station.
2.2 Excluded Assets. The Assets shall exclude the following
assets:
(a) Seller's cash on hand as of the Closing and all other
cash in any of Seller's bank or savings accounts; any insurance policies,
letters of credit, or other similar items and cash surrender value in regard
thereto; and any stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit and similar
investments;
(b) All books and records that Seller is required by law
to retain and that pertain to Seller's corporate organization;
(c) Any pension, profit-sharing, or employee benefit
plans, and any collective bargaining agreements; and
(d) All donations and contributions to the Church or the
Evangelical Foursquare Ministry and all lists of donors, contributors or other
supporters of the Station or the Church.
(e) All property listed on Schedule 2.2 hereto.
2.3 Purchase Price. The Purchase Price for the Assets shall be
Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,500,000) adjusted as provided
below:
(a) Prorations. The Purchase Price shall be increased or
decreased as required to effectuate the proration of expenses. All expenses
arising from the operation of the Station, including business and license fees,
utility charges, real and personal property taxes and assessments levied
against the Assets, property and equipment rentals, applicable copyright or
other fees, sales and service charges, taxes (except for taxes arising from the
transfer of the Assets under this Agreement), FCC annual regulatory fees and
similar prepaid
10
- 5 -
and deferred items, shall be prorated between Buyer and Seller in accordance
with the principle that Seller shall be responsible for all expenses, costs,
and liabilities allocable to the period prior to the Closing Date, and Buyer
shall be responsible for all expenses, costs, and obligations allocable to the
period on and after the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,
(i) there shall be no adjustment for, and Seller shall remain solely liable
with respect to, any Contracts not included in the Assumed Contracts and any
other obligation or liability not being assumed by Buyer in accordance with
Section 2.5, and (ii) there shall be no adjustment for, and Seller shall be
entitled to retain, the aggregate amount of pre-paid rent under the tower lease
agreements listed in Schedule 3.7 for the period ending on the date that is six
months following the Closing Date. Buyer shall be entitled to an adjustment in
its favor if and to the extent that the pre-paid rent under any such tower
lease agreements is for a period in excess of such six month period.
(b) Manner of Determining Adjustments. Any adjustments
will, insofar as feasible, be determined and paid on the Closing Date, with
final settlement and payment by the appropriate party occurring no later than
ninety (90) days after the Closing Date or such other date as the parties shall
mutually agree upon. Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer not later than
five (5) days before the Closing Date a preliminary settlement statement which
shall set forth Seller's good faith estimate of the adjustments to the Purchase
Price under Section 2.3(a). The preliminary settlement statement (i) shall
contain all information reasonably necessary to determine the adjustments to
the Purchase Price under Section 2.3(a), to the extent such adjustments can be
determined or estimated as of the date of the preliminary settlement statement,
and such other information as may be reasonably requested by Buyer, and (ii)
shall be certified by Seller to be true and complete in all material respects
as of the date thereof.
2.4 Payment of Purchase Price. The Purchase Price, as adjusted,
shall be paid by Buyer to Seller at Closing by wire transfer of same-day funds
pursuant to wire instructions which shall be delivered by Seller to Buyer, at
least two (2) days prior to the Closing Date.
2.5 Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations. As of the Closing
Date, Buyer shall assume and undertake to pay, discharge, and perform all
obligations and liabilities of Seller under the Licenses and the Assumed
Contracts insofar as they relate to the time on and after the Closing Date, and
arise out of events related to Buyer's ownership of the Assets or its operation
of the Station on or after the Closing Date. Buyer shall not assume any other
obligations or liabilities of Seller, including (i) any obligations or
liabilities under any Contract not included in the Assumed Contracts, (ii) any
obligations or liabilities under the Assumed Contracts relating to the period
prior to the Closing Date, (iii) any claims or pending litigation or
proceedings relating to the operation of the Station prior to the Closing, (iv)
any obligations or liabilities arising under capitalized leases or other
financing agreements, (v) any obligations or liabilities arising under
agreements entered into other than in the ordinary course of business, (vi) any
obligations or liabilities of Seller under any
11
- 6 -
employee pension, retirement, health and welfare or other benefit plans or
collective bargaining agreements, (vii) any obligation to any employee of the
Station for severance benefits, vacation time, or sick leave accrued prior to
the Closing Date, or (viii) any obligations or liabilities caused by, arising
out of, or resulting from any action or omission of Seller prior to the
Closing, and all such obligations and liabilities shall remain and be the
obligations and liabilities solely of Seller.
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
3.1 Organization, Standing, and Authority. Seller is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Virginia. Seller has all requisite power and authority
(i) to own, lease, and use the Assets as now owned, leased, and used, (ii) to
conduct the business and operations of the Station as now conducted, and (iii)
to execute and deliver this Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby,
and to perform and comply with all of the terms, covenants, and conditions to
be performed and complied with by Seller hereunder. The Church has all
requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement.
Seller is not a participant in any joint venture or partnership with any other
person or entity with respect to any part of the operations of the Station or
any of the Assets.
3.2 Authorization and Binding Obligation. The execution,
delivery, and performance of this Agreement by Seller and the Church have been
duly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of Seller and the Church.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and the Church
and constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligations of Seller and the
Church, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforceability of this Agreement may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, or
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and by judicial discretion
in the enforcement of equitable remedies.
3.3 Absence of Conflicting Agreements. Subject to obtaining the
Consents listed on Schedule 3.3, the execution, delivery, and performance of
this Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby (with or without the
giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both): (i) do not require the consent
of any third party; (ii) will not conflict with any provision of the Articles
of Incorporation or Bylaws of Seller or any organizational or governing
documents of the Church; (iii) will not conflict with, result in a breach of,
or constitute a default under, any law, judgment, order, ordinance, injunction,
decree, rule, regulation, or ruling of any court or governmental
instrumentality; (iv) will not conflict with, constitute grounds for
termination of, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, or
accelerate or permit the acceleration of any performance required by the terms
of, any agreement, instrument, license, or permit to which Seller or the Church
is a party or by
12
- 7 -
which Seller or the Church may be bound; and (v) will not create any claim,
liability, mortgage, lien, pledge, condition, charge, or encumbrance of any
nature whatsoever upon any of the Assets.
3.4 Governmental Licenses. Schedule 3.4 includes a true and
complete list of the Licenses. Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete
copies of the Licenses (including any amendments and other modifications
thereto). The Licenses have been validly issued, and Seller is the authorized
legal holder thereof. The Licenses listed on Schedule 3.4 comprise all of the
licenses, permits, and other authorizations required from any governmental or
regulatory authority for the lawful conduct of the business and operations of
the Station in the manner and to the full extent they are now conducted, and
none of the Licenses is subject to any restriction or condition that would
limit the full operation of the Station as now operated. The Licenses are in
full force and effect, and the conduct of the business and operations of the
Station is in accordance therewith. Seller has no reason to believe that any
of the Licenses would not be renewed by the FCC or other granting authority in
the ordinary course. The Station's city of license, as determined by the FCC,
is located within the Roanoke-Lynchburg Area of Dominant Influence as defined
by the 1991-1992 Area of Dominant Influence Market Guide published by The
Arbitron Co. and the Roanoke-Lynchburg Designated Market Area as defined by the
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Television Household Estimates published by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Media
Research. On or before October 1, 1996, Seller made a valid election of must
carry with respect to each cable system located within the Station's Area of
Dominant Influence, no cable system has advised Seller of any signal quality or
copyright indemnity or other prerequisite to cable carriage of the Station's
signal, and no cable system has declined or threatened to decline such carriage
or failed to respond to a request for carriage or sought any form of relief
from carriage from the FCC.
3.5 Title to and Condition of Real Property. Schedule 3.5
contains a complete and accurate description of all the Real Property and
Seller's interests therein (including street address, legal description, owner,
and use and the location of all improvements thereon). The Real Property
listed on Schedule 3.5 comprises all real property interests necessary to
conduct the business and operations of the Station as now conducted. Seller
has good and marketable fee simple title, insurable at standard rates, to all
fee estates (including the improvements thereon) included in the Real Property,
free and clear of all liens, mortgages, pledges, covenants, easements,
restrictions, encroachments, leases, charges, and other claims and encumbrances
of any nature whatsoever, and without reservation or exclusion of any mineral,
timber, or other rights or interests, except for liens for real estate taxes
not yet due and payable and liens disclosed on Schedule 3.5. With respect to
each leasehold or subleasehold interest included in the Real Property being
conveyed under this Agreement so long as Seller fulfills its obligations under
the lease therefor, Seller has enforceable rights to nondisturbance and quiet
enjoyment, and no third party holds any interest in the leased premises with
the right to foreclose upon Seller's leasehold or subleasehold interest. All
towers, guy anchors, and buildings and other improvements included in the
Assets are
13
- 8 -
located entirely on the Real Property listed in Schedule 3.5. Seller has
delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of all deeds pertaining to the Real
Property. All Real Property (including the improvements thereon) (i) is in
good condition and repair consistent with its present use, (ii) is available
for immediate use in the conduct of the business and operations of the Station,
and (iii) complies with all applicable building or zoning codes and the
regulations of any governmental authority having jurisdiction. Seller has full
legal and practical access to the Real Property. All easements, rights-of-way,
and real property licenses have been properly recorded in the appropriate
public recording offices.
3.6 Title to and Condition of Tangible Personal Property.
Schedule 3.6 lists all material items of Tangible Personal Property. The
Tangible Personal Property listed on Schedule 3.6 comprises all material items
of tangible personal property necessary to conduct the business and operations
of the Station as now conducted. Except as described in Schedule 3.6, Seller
owns and has good title to each item of Tangible Personal Property, and none of
the Tangible Personal Property owned by Seller is subject to any security
interest, mortgage, pledge, conditional sales agreement, or other lien or
encumbrance, except for liens for current taxes not yet due and payable. Each
item of Tangible Personal Property is available for immediate use in the
business and operations of the Station. All items of transmitting and studio
equipment included in the Tangible Personal Property (i) have been maintained
in a manner consistent with generally accepted standards of good engineering
practice, and (ii) will permit the Station and any auxiliary broadcast
facilities related to the Station to operate in accordance with the terms of
the FCC Licenses and the rules and regulations of the FCC, and with all other
applicable federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances, rules, and
regulations.
3.7 Contracts. Schedule 3.7 is a true and complete list of all
Contracts except contracts with advertisers for the sale of advertising time on
the Station for cash at prevailing rates and which have not been prepaid and
which may be canceled by the Station without penalty on not more than thirty
days' notice. Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of all
written Contracts, true and complete memoranda of all oral Contracts (including
any amendments and other modifications to such Contracts), and a schedule
summarizing Seller's obligations under trade and barter agreements relating to
the Station. Other than the Contracts listed on Schedule 3.7 and cash
programming contracts, Seller requires no contract, lease, or other agreement
to enable it to carry on its business as now conducted. All of the Assumed
Contracts are in full force and effect, and are valid, binding, and enforceable
in accordance with their terms. There is not under any Assumed Contract any
default by any party thereto or any event that, after notice or lapse of time
or both, could constitute a default. Seller is not aware of any intention by
any party to any Assumed Contract (i) to terminate such contract or amend the
terms thereof, (ii) to refuse to renew the Assumed Contract upon expiration of
its term, or (iii) to renew the Assumed Contract upon expiration only on terms
and conditions which are more onerous than those now existing. Except for the
need to obtain the Consents listed in Schedule 3.3, Seller has full legal power
14
- 9 -
and authority to assign its rights under the Assumed Contracts to Buyer in
accordance with this Agreement, and such assignment will not affect the
validity, enforceability, or continuation of any of the Assumed Contracts.
Seller's news contract with WDBJ-TV may be terminated by Buyer or Seller
without premium or penalty by giving sixty (60) days written notice prior to
September 5, 1997. Upon Buyer's request, Seller agrees to give such notice of
cancellation in accordance with the terms of the WDBJ-TV news contract.
3.8 Consents. Except for the FCC Consent provided for in Section
6.1 and the other Consents described in Schedule 3.3, no consent, approval,
permit, or authorization of, or declaration to or filing with any governmental
or regulatory authority, or any other third party is required (i) to consummate
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) to permit Seller
to assign or transfer the Assets to Buyer, or (iii) to enable Buyer to conduct
the business and operations of the Station in essentially the same manner as
such business and operations are now conducted.
3.9 Intangibles. Schedule 3.9 is a true and complete list of all
Intangibles (exclusive of those listed in Schedule 3.4), all of which are valid
and in good standing and uncontested. Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of
all documents establishing or evidencing all Intangibles. Seller is not
infringing upon or otherwise acting adversely to any trademarks, trade names,
service marks, service names, copyrights, patents, patent applications,
know-how, methods, or processes owned by any other person or persons, and there
is no claim or action pending, or to the knowledge of Seller threatened, with
respect thereto. The Intangibles listed on Schedule 3.9 comprise all
intangible property interests necessary to conduct the business and operations
of the Station as now conducted.
3.10 Insurance. Schedule 3.10 is a true and complete list of all
insurance policies of Seller that insure any part of the Assets or the business
of the Station. All policies of insurance listed in Schedule 3.10 are in full
force and effect. During the past three years, no insurance policy of Seller
on the Assets or the Station has been canceled by the insurer and no
application of Seller for insurance has been rejected by any insurer.
3.11 Reports. All returns, reports, and statements that the
Station is currently required to file with the FCC or with any other
governmental agency have been filed, and all reporting requirements of the FCC
and other governmental authorities having jurisdiction over Seller and the
Station have been complied with. All of such returns, reports, and statements
are substantially complete and correct as filed. Seller has timely paid to the
FCC all annual regulatory fees payable with respect to the FCC Licenses.
3.12 Personnel.
(a) All of Seller's Employee Plans and Compensation
Arrangements are listed in Schedule 3.12, and complete and accurate copies of
any such written Employee
15
- 10 -
Plans and Compensation Arrangements (or related insurance policies) have been
furnished to Buyer, along with copies of any employee handbooks or similar
documents describing such Employee Plans and Compensation Arrangements.
Descriptions of any unwritten Employee Plans or Compensation Arrangements also
are provided in Schedule 3.12. Schedule 3.12 also contains a true and complete
list of all employees of the Station, their job description, date of hire,
salary and amount and date of last salary increase.
(b) Each Employee Plan and Compensation Arrangement has
been administered in compliance with its own terms and in material compliance
with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act and any other applicable Federal or state laws. Seller is not aware of the
existence of any governmental audit or examination of any Employee Plan or
Compensation Arrangement or of any facts which would lead it to believe that
any such audit or examination is pending or threatened. There exists no
action, suit or claim (other than routine claims for benefits) with respect to
any Employee Plan or Compensation Arrangement pending or, to the best knowledge
of Seller, threatened against any of such plans or arrangements, and Seller
possesses no knowledge of any facts which could give rise to any such action,
suit or claim.
(c) Seller does not contribute to and is not required to
contribute to any Multi-employer Plan with respect to the employees of the
Station, and neither Seller nor any other trade or business under common
control with Seller (within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of
the Code) has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any "withdrawal
liability," as defined under Section 4201 et seq. of ERISA.
(d) Except as described in Schedule 3.12, neither Seller
nor any other trade or business under common control with Seller (within the
meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) sponsors, maintains or
contributes to any Employee Plan or Compensation Arrangement that provides
retiree medical or retiree life insurance coverage to former employees of
Seller at the Station.
(e) Except as described in Schedule 3.12, with respect to
each Employee Plan and, to the extent applicable, each Compensation
Arrangement: (i) each Employee Plan that is intended to be tax-qualified, and
each amendment thereto, is the subject of a favorable determination letter, and
no plan amendment that is not the subject of a favorable determination letter
would affect the validity of an Employee Plan's letter; (ii) no prohibited
transaction, within the definition of section 4975 of the Code or Title 1, Part
4 of ERISA, has occurred which would subject Seller to any liability; and (iii)
all contributions, premiums or payments accrued, in whole or in part, under
each Employee Plan or Compensation Arrangement or with respect thereto as of
the Closing will be paid by the Seller prior to the Closing, including, but not
limited to, contributions thereto with respect to the plan year ending
immediately prior to the Closing.
16
- 11 -
(f) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meaning indicated: (i) "Employee Plan" shall mean any pension,
profit-sharing, deferred compensation, vacation, bonus, incentive, medical,
vision, dental, disability, life insurance or any other employee benefit plan
as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA to which Seller or any entity related to
Seller (under the terms of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code)
contributes or to which Seller or any entity related to Seller (under the terms
of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) sponsors, maintains or
otherwise is bound which provides benefits to persons employed or previously
employed at the Station; (ii) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, any successor thereto and any regulations promulgated
thereunder; (iii) "Compensation Arrangement" shall mean any plan or
compensation arrangement other than an Employee Plan, whether written or
unwritten, which provides to employees, former employees, officers, directors
and shareholders of Seller or any entity related to Seller (under the terms of
Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) employed or previously employed at
the Station any compensation or other benefits, whether deferred or not, in
excess of base salary or wages, including, but not limited to, any bonus or
incentive plan, stock rights plan, deferred compensation arrangement, life
insurance, stock purchase plan, severance pay plan and any other employee
fringe benefit plan; (iv) "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, any successor thereto and any regulations
promulgated thereunder; and (v) "Multi-employer Plan" means a plan, as
defined in ERISA Section 3(37), to which Seller or any entity related to Seller
(under the terms of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code) contributes or is
required to contribute.
(g) Seller is not a party to or subject to any collective
bargaining agreements with respect to the Station. Seller has no written or
oral contracts of employment with any employee of the Station, other than those
listed in Schedule 3.7. Seller has complied with all laws, rules, and
regulations relating to the employment of labor, including those related to
wages, hours, collective bargaining, occupational safety, discrimination, and
the payment of social security and other payroll related taxes, and Seller has
not received any notice alleging that it has failed to comply in any material
respect with any such laws, rules, or regulations. No controversies, disputes,
or proceedings are pending or, to the best of Seller's knowledge, threatened,
between Seller and any employee (singly or collectively) of the Station. No
labor union or other collective bargaining unit represents or claims to
represent any of the employees of the Station. To the best of Seller's
knowledge, there is no union campaign being conducted to represent any
employees of the Station or to solicit cards from employees to authorize a
union to request a National Labor Relations Board certification election with
respect to any employees at the Station.
3.13 Taxes. Seller has filed or caused to be filed all federal
income tax returns and all other federal, state, county, local, or city tax
returns which are required to be filed, and it has paid or caused to be paid
all taxes shown on those returns or on any tax assessment received by it to the
extent that such taxes have become due, or has set aside on its books
17
- 12 -
adequate reserves (segregated to the extent required by generally accepted
accounting principles) with respect thereto. There are no governmental
investigations or other legal, administrative, or tax proceedings pursuant to
which Seller is or could be made liable for any taxes, penalties, interest, or
other charges, the liability for which could extend to Buyer as transferee of
the business of the Station, and no event has occurred that could impose on
Buyer any transferee liability for any taxes, penalties, or interest due or to
become due from Seller. Seller is not required to file Virginia sales tax
returns with respect to the operation of the Station.
3.14 Claims and Legal Actions. Except for any FCC rulemaking
proceedings generally affecting the broadcasting industry, there is no claim,
legal action, counterclaim, suit, arbitration, governmental investigation or
other legal, administrative, or tax proceeding, nor any order, decree or
judgment, in progress or pending, or to the knowledge of Seller threatened,
against or relating to Seller with respect to its ownership or operation of the
Station or otherwise relating to the Assets or the business or operations of
the Station, nor does Seller know or have reason to be aware of any basis for
the same. In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
there are no applications, complaints or proceedings pending or, to the best of
its knowledge, threatened (i) before the FCC relating to the business or
operations of the Station other than rule making proceedings which affect the
television industry generally, (ii) before any federal or state agency relating
to the business or operations of the Station involving charges of illegal
discrimination under any federal or state employment laws or regulations, or
(iii) before any federal, state, or local agency relating to the business or
operations of the Station involving zoning issues under any federal, state, or
local zoning law, rule, or regulation.
3.15 Environmental Matters.
(a) Seller has complied in all material respects with all
laws, rules, and regulations of all federal, state, and local governments (and
all agencies thereof) concerning the environment, public health and safety, and
employee health and safety, and no charge, complaint, action, suit, proceeding,
hearing, investigation, claim, demand, or notice has been filed or commenced
against Seller in connection with its ownership or operation of the Station
alleging any failure to comply with any such law, rule, or regulation.
(b) To the best of Seller's knowledge, after due
investigation, Seller has no liability relating to its ownership and operation
of the Station (and there is no basis related to the past or present
operations, properties, or facilities of Seller for any present or future
charge, complaint, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim, or
demand against Seller giving rise to any such liability) under any law, rule,
or regulation of any federal, state, or local government (or agency thereof)
concerning release or threatened release of hazardous substances, public health
and safety, or pollution or protection of the environment.
18
- 13 -
(c) To the best of Seller's knowledge, after due
investigation, Seller has no liability relating to its ownership and operation
of the Station (and Seller has not handled or disposed of any substance,
arranged for the disposal of any substance, or owned or operated any property
or facility in any manner that could form the basis for any present or future
charge, complaint, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim, or
demand (under the common law or pursuant to any statute) against Seller giving
rise to any such liability) for damage to any site, location, or body of water
(surface of subsurface) or for illness or personal injury.
(d) To the best of Seller's knowledge, after due
investigation, Seller has no liability relating to its ownership and operation
of the Station (and there is no basis for any present or future charge,
complaint, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim, or demand
against Seller giving rise to any such liability) under any law, rule, or
regulation of any federal, state, or local government (or agency thereof)
concerning employee health and safety.
(e) To the best of Seller's knowledge, after due
investigation, Seller has no liability relating to its ownership and operation
of the Station (and Seller has not exposed any employee to any substance or
condition that could form the basis for any present or future charge, complaint,
action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim, or demand (under the
common law or pursuant to statute) against Seller giving rise to any such
liability) for any illness or personal injury to any employee.
(f) In connection with its ownership or operation of the
Station, Seller has obtained and been in compliance in all material respects
with all of the terms and conditions of all permits, licenses, and other
authorizations which are required under, and has complied with all other
limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements,
obligations, schedules, and timetables which are contained in, all federal,
state, and local laws, rules, and regulations (including all codes, plans,
judgments, orders, decrees, stipulations, injunctions, and charges thereunder)
relating to public health and safety, worker health and safety, and pollution
or protection of the environment, including laws relating to emissions,
discharges, releases, or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, or
chemical, industrial, hazardous, or toxic materials or wastes into ambient air,
surface water, ground water, or lands or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or
handling of pollutants, contaminants, or chemical, industrial, hazardous, or
toxic materials or wastes.
(g) No pollutant, contaminant, or chemical, industrial,
hazardous, or toxic material or waste has ever been manufactured, buried,
stored, spilled, leaked, discharged, emitted, or released by Seller in
connection with its ownership and operation of the Station or, to the best of
Seller's knowledge, after due investigation, by any other party on any Real
Property.
19
- 14 -
3.16 Compliance with Laws. Seller has complied in all material
respects with the Licenses and all federal, state, and local laws, rules,
regulations, and ordinances applicable or relating to the ownership and
operation of the Station. Neither the ownership or use of the properties of
the Station nor the conduct of the business or operations of the Station
conflicts with the rights of any other person or entity.
3.17 Conduct of Business in Ordinary Course. Since January 1,
1997, Seller has conducted the business and operations of the Station only in
the ordinary course and has not:
(a) Suffered any material adverse change in the business,
assets, or properties of the Station, including any damage, destruction, or
loss affecting any assets used or useful in the conduct of the business of the
Station;
(b) Made any material increase in compensation payable or
to become payable to any of the employees of the Station, or any bonus payment
made or promised to any employee of the Station, or any material change in
personnel policies, employee benefits, or other compensation arrangements
affecting the employees of the Station;
(c) Made any sale, assignment, lease, or other transfer
of any of the Station's properties other than in the normal and usual course of
business with suitable replacements being obtained therefor;
(d) Canceled any debts owed to or claims held by Seller
with respect to the Station, except in the normal and usual course of business;
(e) Suffered any material write-down of the value of any
Assets or any material write-off as uncollectible of any accounts receivable of
the Station; or
(f) Transferred or granted any right under, or entered
into any settlement regarding the breach or infringement of, any license,
patent, copyright, trademark, trade name, franchise, or similar right, or
modified any existing right relating to the Station.
3.18 Transactions with Affiliates. Seller has not been involved in
any business arrangement or relationship relating to the Station with any
affiliate of Seller, and no affiliate of Seller owns any property or right,
tangible or intangible, which is used in the business of the Station. As used
in this paragraph, "affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
3.19 Broker. Neither Seller nor any person acting on Seller's
behalf has incurred any liability for any finders' or brokers' fees or
commissions in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
20
- 15 -
3.20 Full Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by Seller
in this Agreement or in any certificate, document, or other instrument
furnished or to be furnished by Seller pursuant hereto contains or will contain
any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit to state any
material fact and required to make any statement made herein or therein not
misleading.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as follows:
4.1 Organization, Standing, and Authority. Buyer is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Florida and at Closing will be duly qualified to conduct business as a
foreign corporation in the State of Virginia. Buyer has all requisite power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the documents
contemplated hereby, and to perform and comply with all of the terms,
covenants, and conditions to be performed and complied with by Buyer hereunder.
4.2 Authorization and Binding Obligation. The execution,
delivery, and performance of this Agreement by Buyer have been duly authorized
by all necessary actions on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes the legal, valid, and binding
obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms,
except as the enforceability of this Agreement may be affected by bankruptcy,
insolvency, or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and by
judicial discretion in the enforcement of equitable remedies.
4.3 Absence of Conflicting Agreements. Subject to obtaining the
Consents, the execution, delivery, and performance by Buyer of this Agreement
and the documents contemplated hereby (with or without the giving of notice,
the lapse of time, or both): (i) do not require the consent of any third
party; (ii) will not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Buyer; (iii) will not conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a
default under, any law, judgment, order, injunction, decree, rule, regulation,
or ruling of any court or governmental instrumentality; or (iv) will not
conflict with, constitute grounds for termination of, result in a breach of,
constitute a default under, or accelerate or permit the acceleration of any
performance required by the terms of, any agreement, instrument, license, or
permit to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer may be bound, such that
Buyer could not acquire or operate the Assets.
4.4 Broker. Neither Buyer nor any person acting on Buyer's behalf
has incurred any liability for any finders' or brokers' fees or commissions in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for a
commission payable by Buyer to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Communications Corporation.
21
- 16 -
4.5 Full Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by Buyer
in this Agreement or in any certificate, document, or other instrument
furnished or to be furnished by Buyer pursuant hereto contains or will contain
any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit to state any
material fact and required to make any statement made herein or therein not
misleading.
SECTION 5. OPERATIONS OF THE STATION PRIOR TO CLOSING
5.1 Generally. Seller agrees that, between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, Seller shall operate the Station diligently in
the ordinary course of business in accordance with its past practices (except
where such conduct would conflict with the following covenants or with Seller's
other obligations under this Agreement), and in accordance with the other
covenants in this Section 5.
5.2 Compensation. Seller shall not increase the compensation,
bonuses, or other benefits payable or to be payable to any person employed in
connection with the conduct of the business or operations of the Station,
except in accordance with past practices.
5.3 Contracts. Seller will not enter into any contract or
commitment relating to the Station or the Assets, or amend or terminate any
Contract (or waive any material right thereunder), or incur any obligation
(including obligations relating to the borrowing of money or the guaranteeing
of indebtedness) that will be binding on Buyer after Closing, except for cash
time sales agreements made in the ordinary course of business. Prior to the
Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a list of all Contracts entered
into between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, together with
copies of such Contracts.
5.4 Disposition of Assets. Seller shall not sell, assign, lease,
or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of the Assets, except where no longer
used or useful in the business or operations of the Station or in connection
with the acquisition of replacement property of equivalent kind and value.
5.5 Encumbrances. Seller shall not create, assume or permit to
exist any claim, liability, mortgage, lien, pledge, condition, charge, or
encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon the Assets, except for (i) liens
disclosed on Schedule 3.5 and Schedule 3.6, which shall be removed prior to the
Closing Date, (ii) liens for current taxes not yet due and payable, and (iii)
mechanics' liens and other similar liens, which shall be removed prior to the
Closing Date.
5.6 Licenses. Seller shall not cause or permit, by any act or
failure to act, any of the Licenses to expire or to be revoked, suspended, or
modified, or take any action that could cause the FCC or any other governmental
authority to institute proceedings for the suspension, revocation, or adverse
modification of any of the Licenses. Seller shall not fail
22
- 17 -
prosecute with due diligence any applications to any governmental authority in
connection with the operation of the Station.
5.7 Rights. Seller shall not waive any right relating to the
Station or any of the Assets. Seller shall not cause, by any act or failure to
act, any cable system located within the Station's Area of Dominant Influence
to refuse to carry the Station's signal.
5.8 No Inconsistent Action. Seller shall not take any action that
is inconsistent with its obligations under this Agreement or that could hinder
or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller covenants that neither
it nor any of its directors, officers or agents will, (a) solicit, initiate or
encourage the submission of any proposal or offer relating to any (i)
liquidation, dissolution or recapitalization, (ii) merger or consolidation,
(iii) acquisition or sale of securities, (iv) transfer or assignment of any FCC
License (v) sale, lease or disposition of substantially all of the assets of
Seller, or (vi) similar transaction or business combination, in each case
involving Seller or (b) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding, furnish any information with respect to, assist or participate in,
or facilitate in any other manner any effort or attempt by any party to do or
seek any of the foregoing. Seller shall notify Buyer as soon as practicable if
any party makes any proposal with respect to any of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, in the
event that Seller violates its obligations in this Section 5.8, Buyer shall
have the right to seek specific performance of Seller's obligations hereunder.
5.9 Access to Information. Seller shall give Buyer and its
counsel, accountants, engineers, and other authorized representatives
reasonable access to the Assets and to all other properties, equipment, books,
records, Contracts, and documents relating to the Station for the purpose of
audit and inspection, including inspections incident to the environmental study
described in Section 6.5 and the engineering study described in Section 6.6,
and will furnish or cause to be furnished to Buyer or its authorized
representatives all information with respect to the affairs and business of the
Station that Buyer may reasonably request (including any financial reports and
operations reports produced with respect to the affairs and business of the
Station). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller shall give
Buyer and its counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives
reasonable access to Seller's financial records (except all lists of donors,
contributors, and other supporters of the Station) and Seller's employees,
counsel, accountants and other representatives for the purpose of
preparing and auditing such financial statements as Buyer determines, in its
sole judgment, are required or advisable to comply with federal or state
securities laws and the rules and regulations of securities markets as a result
of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the requirements of Section
5.9 or any other provision herein to the contrary, Buyer shall not have the
right to review any lists of donors, contributors, or other supporters of the
Station or the Church.
23
- 18 -
5.10 Maintenance of Assets. Seller shall use its best efforts and
take all reasonable actions to maintain all of the Assets in good condition
(ordinary wear and tear excepted), and use, operate, and maintain all of the
Assets in a reasonable manner and in accordance with the terms of the FCC
Licenses, all rules and regulations of the FCC and generally accepted standards
of good engineering practice. Seller shall maintain inventories of spare parts
and expendable supplies at levels consistent with past practices. If any loss,
damage, impairment, confiscation, or condemnation of or to any of the Assets
occurs, Seller shall repair, replace, or restore the Assets to their prior
condition as represented in this Agreement as soon thereafter as possible, and
Seller shall use the proceeds of any claim under any insurance policy solely to
repair, replace, or restore any of the Assets that are lost, damaged, impaired,
or destroyed.
5.11 Insurance. Seller shall maintain the existing insurance
policies on the Station and the Assets.
5.12 Consents. Seller shall obtain the Consents without any change
in the terms or conditions of any Contract or License that could be less
advantageous to the Station than those pertaining under the Contract or License
as in effect on the date of this Agreement. Seller shall promptly advise Buyer
of any difficulties experienced in obtaining any of the Consents and of any
conditions proposed, considered, or requested for any of the Consents.
5.13 Books and Records. Seller shall maintain its books and
records relating to the Station in accordance with past practices.
5.14 Notification. Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing
of any unusual or material developments with respect to the business or
operations of the Station, and of any material change in any of the information
contained in Seller's representations and warranties contained in Section 3 of
this Agreement.
5.15 Financial Information. Seller shall furnish to Buyer within
twenty days after the end of each month ending between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date such financial information (including
information on payables and receivables) as Buyer may reasonably request. All
financial information delivered by Seller to Buyer pursuant to this Section
shall be prepared from the books and records of Seller in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, shall accurately
reflect the books, records, and accounts of the Station.
5.16 Compliance with Laws. Seller shall comply in all material
respects with all laws, rules, and regulations applicable or relating to the
ownership and operation of the Station.
24
- 19 -
5.17 Financing Leases. Seller will satisfy at or prior to Closing
all outstanding obligations under capital and financing leases with respect to
any of the Assets and obtain good title to the Assets leased by Seller pursuant
to those leases so that those Assets shall be transferred to Buyer at Closing
free of any interest of the lessors.
5.18 Programming. Seller shall not make any material changes in
the broadcast hours or in the percentages of types of programming broadcast by
the Station, or make any other material change in the Station's programming
policies, except such changes as in the good faith judgment of the Seller are
required by the public interest.
5.19 Preservation of Business. Seller shall use its best efforts
to preserve the business and organization of the Station and use its best
efforts to keep available to the Station its present employees and to preserve
the audience of the Station and the Station's present relationships with
suppliers, advertisers, and others having business relations with it, to the
end that the business, operations, and prospects of the Station shall be
unimpaired at the Closing Date. The ordinary and customary operating,
marketing, promotional, sales, and advertising practices of the Station shall
be maintained.
5.20 Collection of Accounts Receivable. Seller shall collect the
accounts receivable of the Station only in the ordinary course consistent with
its past practices and will not take any action designed or likely to
accelerate the collection of its accounts receivable.
5.21 Personnel Recommendations. Seller shall promptly notify Buyer
as personnel vacancies occur at the Station and consider for employment all
personnel recommended by Buyer for such vacant positions.
SECTION 6. SPECIAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
6.1 FCC Consent.
(a) The assignment of the FCC Licenses in connection with
the purchase and sale of the Assets pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject
to the prior consent and approval of the FCC.
(b) Seller and Buyer shall promptly prepare an
appropriate application for the FCC Consent and shall file the application with
the FCC within five (5) business days of the execution of this Agreement. The
parties shall prosecute the application with all reasonable diligence and
otherwise use their best efforts to obtain a grant of the application as
expeditiously as practicable. Each party agrees to comply with any condition
imposed on it by the FCC Consent, except that no party shall be required to
comply with a condition if (1) the condition was imposed on it as the result of
a circumstance the existence of which does not constitute a breach by the party
of any of its representations, warranties, or
25
- 20 -
covenants under this Agreement, and (2) compliance with the condition would have
a material adverse effect upon it. Buyer and Seller shall oppose any requests
for reconsideration or judicial review of the FCC Consent. If the Closing shall
not have occurred for any reason within the original effective period of the FCC
Consent, and neither party shall have terminated this Agreement under Section 9,
the parties shall jointly request an extension of the effective period of the
FCC Consent. No extension of the FCC Consent shall limit the exercise by either
party of its rights under Section 9.
6.2 Control of the Station. Prior to Closing, Buyer shall not,
directly or indirectly, control, supervise, direct, or attempt to control,
supervise, or direct, the operations of the Station; such operations, including
complete control and supervision of all of the Station programs, employees, and
policies, shall be the sole responsibility of Seller until the Closing.
6.3 Risk of Loss.
(a) The risk of any loss, damage, impairment,
confiscation, or condemnation of any of the Assets from any cause whatsoever
shall be borne by Seller at all times prior to the Closing.
(b) If any damage or destruction of the Assets or any
other event occurs which (i) causes the Station to cease broadcasting
operations for a period of seven or more days or (ii) prevents in any material
respect signal transmission by the Station in the normal and usual manner and
Seller fails to restore or replace the Assets so that normal and usual
transmission is resumed within seven days of the damage, destruction or other
event, Buyer, in its sole discretion, may (x) terminate this Agreement
forthwith without any further obligations hereunder upon written notice to
Seller, or (y) proceed to consummate the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement and complete the restoration and replacement of the Assets after the
Closing Date, in which event Seller shall deliver to Buyer all insurance
proceeds received in connection with such damage, destruction or other event.
6.4 Confidentiality. Except as necessary for the consummation of
the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, including Buyer's obtaining of
financing related hereto, and except as and to the extent required by law,
including, without limitation, disclosure requirements of federal or state
securities laws and the rules and regulations of securities markets, each
party will keep confidential any information obtained from the other party in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If this
Agreement is terminated, each party will return to the other party all
information obtained by the such party from the other party in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
26
- 21 -
6.5 Environmental Audit. Buyer may, at its option and expense,
retain an environmental consultant to be selected by Buyer to perform a Phase I
environmental survey of the properties of the Station. If the survey discloses
any material environmental hazard or material possibility of future liability
for environmental damages or clean-up costs, Buyer shall so notify Seller as
soon as practicable.
6.6 Engineering Study. Buyer may, at its option and expense,
retain an engineering firm to conduct a proof of performance study of the
Station and to prepare a report on the Station's compliance with customary
engineering practices and all applicable FCC rules, regulations, prescribed
practices, and technical standards. If the survey discloses any material
deficiencies in the operations or equipment of the Station, Buyer shall so
notify Seller as soon as practicable.
6.7 Cooperation. Buyer and Seller shall cooperate fully with each
other and their respective counsel and accountants in connection with any
actions required to be taken as part of their respective obligations under this
Agreement, and Buyer and Seller shall execute such other documents as may be
necessary and desirable to the implementation and consummation of this
Agreement, and otherwise use their best efforts to consummate the transaction
contemplated hereby and to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall have no obligation (i) to expend
funds to obtain any of the Consents or (ii) to agree to any adverse change in
any License or Assumed Contract to obtain a Consent required with respect
thereto.
6.8 Bulk Sales Law. If applicable, the Bulk Sales law of the
State of Virginia shall be complied with by Seller. Any loss, liability,
obligation, or cost suffered by Seller or Buyer as the result of the failure of
Seller or Buyer to comply with the provisions of any bulk sales law applicable
to the transfer of the Assets as contemplated by this Agreement shall be borne
by Seller.
6.9 Title Insurance and Surveys.
(a) Title Insurance on Fee Property. With respect to
each parcel of Real Property that Seller owns, Buyer will obtain at Buyer's
expense, at or prior to Closing, an ALTA Owner's Policy of Title Insurance Form
B- 1987 (or equivalent policy acceptable to Buyer), issued by a title insurer
satisfactory to Buyer, in an amount equal to the fair market value of the
property and any improvements thereon (as reasonably determined by Buyer),
insuring title to such parcel to be in the name of Buyer as of the Closing,
subject only to liens or encumbrances expressly permitted by this Agreement.
(b) General Requirements as to Title Insurance Policies.
Each title insurance policy obtained by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement shall
(1) insure title to the Real Property described in the policy and all recorded
easements benefitting such Real
27
- 22 -
Property, (2) contain an "extended coverage endorsement" insuring over the
general exceptions customarily contained in title policies, (3) contain an ALTA
Zoning Endorsement 3.1 (or equivalent), (4) contain an endorsement insuring that
the Real Property described in the policy is the same real estate shown in the
survey delivered with respect to such property, (5) contain an inflation
endorsement, (6) contain a "contiguity" endorsement with respect to any Real
Property consisting of more than one record parcel, and (7) not be subject to
any survey exception or any defect or encroachment disclosed by a survey
delivered with respect to the property.
(c) Surveys. With respect to each parcel of Real
Property, as to which a title insurance policy is to be procured pursuant to
this Agreement, Buyer will procure, at its own expense, a current survey of the
parcel, prepared by a licensed surveyor and conforming to current ALTA Minimum
Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys, disclosing the location of all
improvements, easements, party walls, sidewalks, roadways, utility lines, and
other matters customarily shown on such surveys, and showing access
affirmatively to public streets and roads.
6.10 Access to Books and Records. Seller shall provide Buyer
access and the right to copy for a period of three years from the Closing Date
any books and records relating to the Assets that are not included in the
Assets. Buyer shall provide Seller access and the right to copy for a period
of three years from the Closing Date any books and records relating to the
Assets.
6.11 Appraisal. Buyer and Seller agree to allocate the Purchase
Price for tax and recording purposes in accordance with an appraisal to be
conducted by an appraisal firm selected and paid for by Buyer with experience
in the valuation and appraisal of television station assets.
6.12 Use of Space. Seller shall provide Buyer with unrestricted
access and the right to use the Station's master control facilities and such
engineering space and offices as Buyer reasonably requires for the operation of
the Station, free of charge for a period of 120 days following the Closing
Date.
6.13 Station Employees.
(a) Prior to the Closing, Buyer shall interview the
Station's employees and offer employment to those employees selected by Buyer
in its sole discretion and upon such terms and conditions as Buyer may
determine.
28
- 23 -
(b) For each Station employee that Buyer hires, Buyer
shall provide credit towards Buyer's benefits plans in accordance with the
terms of such plans for vacation pay, sick leave and length of service accrued
by each such employee as of the Closing Date.
(c) Prior to filing of the assignment application
referred to in Section 6.1, Buyer shall interview ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ at Buyer's West
Palm Beach, Florida headquarters for the position of Station manager.
6.14 Assumption of Certain Contracts. Buyer will assume at Closing
the Contracts for the broadcast of local religious programming listed on
Schedule 3.7 that, as of the Closing Date, have been paid until such time as the
programming contracts expire or until twenty-six (26) weeks from the Closing
Date, whichever shall occur first.
6.15 Agreements with Evangel Foursquare Church.
(a) For a period of five (5) years from the Closing Date,
Buyer shall provide the Church, free of charge, with one (1) hour of
programming time per week, to be aired each week on a weekday to be agreed upon
by Seller and Buyer before the Closing. The Church shall notify Buyer in
writing of the Church's designated one hour time slot between the hours of 9:00
a.m. and noon no less than thirty (30) days prior to Closing. This arrangement
shall be exclusive to the Church and the programming shall be limited to
religious programs produced by the Church. If the Church is unable to provide
its program to Buyer for broadcast on the agreed upon day during the first week
following the Closing, the Church shall not forfeit its right to the program
time; provided, however, that Buyer shall not be obligated to broadcast the
Church's program until thirty (30) days following the date the Church provides
Buyer with written notice that it is ready and able to provide its program to
Buyer.
(b) Buyer shall provide the Church with ninety, 30-second
spots per quarter (the "Spots"), at no cost, for a period of five (5) years
from the Closing Date. Buyer shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to
preempt any Spot, without compensation to the Church, if Buyer receives an
offer from any party to purchase such Spot; provided, however, that the Church
shall receive a make-good credit for each Spot that Buyer preempts. The Spots
shall not be cumulative and shall expire, if unused, at the end of each
quarter. The use of the Spots shall be exclusive to the Church and the Church
shall not license, sell, or otherwise convey any Spot to any party. The
content of all such Spots must relate directly to the Church or the activities
of the Church.
(c) Buyer agrees to immediately forward to Seller at the
address specified in Section 11.3 all contributions and donations to the Church
or the Evangelical Foursquare Ministry that Buyer receives following the
Closing.
29
- 24 -
SECTION 7. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SELLER
AT CLOSING
7.1 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer. All obligations of Buyer
at the Closing are subject at Buyer's option to the fulfillment prior to or at
the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement shall be true and complete
in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as
of that time.
(b) Covenants and Conditions. Seller shall have
performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements,
and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
it prior to or on the Closing Date.
(c) Consents. All Consents shall have been obtained and
delivered to Buyer without any adverse change in the terms or conditions of any
agreement or any governmental license, permit, or other authorization.
(d) FCC Consent. The FCC Consent shall have been granted
without the imposition on Buyer of any conditions that need not be complied
with by Buyer under Section 6.1 hereof, Seller shall have complied with any
conditions imposed on it by the FCC Consent, and the FCC Consent shall have
become a Final Order.
(e) Governmental Authorizations. Seller shall be the
holder of all Licenses and there shall not have been any modification of any
License that could have an adverse effect on the Station or the conduct of its
business and operations. No proceeding shall be pending or threatened the
effect of which could be to revoke, cancel, fail to renew, suspend, or modify
adversely any License.
(f) Deliveries. Seller shall have made or stand willing
to make all the deliveries to Buyer set forth in Section 8.2.
(g) Adverse Change. Between the date of this Agreement
and the Closing Date, there shall have been no material adverse change in the
business, assets, or properties of the Station, including any damage,
destruction, or loss affecting any assets used or useful in the conduct of the
business of the Station.
(h) Tower Approvals. The FAA shall have issued a No
Hazard Determination or similar finding in response to the March 26, 1997
Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration filed with the FAA (a copy of
which Notice is included in
30
- 25 -
Schedule 3.4 hereto), and the FCC shall have issued to Seller a construction
permit or similar authorization that reflects the Station's actual antenna tower
location and height.
7.2 Conditions to Obligations of Seller. All obligations of
Seller at the Closing are subject at Seller's option to the fulfillment prior
to or at the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be true and complete
in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as
of that time.
(b) Covenants and Conditions. Buyer shall have performed
and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements, and
conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it
prior to or on the Closing Date.
(c) Deliveries. Buyer shall have made or stand willing
to make all the deliveries set forth in Section 8.3.
(d) FCC Consent. The FCC Consent shall have been granted
without the imposition on Seller of any conditions that need not be complied
with by Seller under Section 6.1 hereof and Buyer shall have complied with any
conditions imposed on it by the FCC Consent.
SECTION 8. CLOSING AND CLOSING DELIVERIES
8.1 Closing.
(a) Closing Date. The Closing shall take place at 10:00
a.m. on a date, to be set by Buyer on at least five days' written notice to
Seller, that is (1) not earlier than the first business day after the FCC
Consent is granted, and (2) not later than ten business days following the date
upon which the FCC Consent has become a Final Order, subject to satisfaction or
waiver of all other conditions precedent to the holding of the Closing. If
Buyer fails to specify the date for Closing prior to the fifth business day
after the date upon which the FCC Consent becomes a Final Order, the Closing
shall take place on the tenth business day after the date upon which the FCC
Consent becomes a Final Order.
(b) Closing Place. The Closing shall be held at the
offices of Dow, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, or any other place that is agreed upon by Buyer and
Seller.
8.2 Deliveries by Seller. Prior to or on the Closing Date, Seller
shall deliver to Buyer the following, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer and its counsel:
31
- 26 -
(a) Transfer Documents. Duly executed warranty bills of
sale, deeds, assignments, and other transfer documents which shall be
sufficient to vest good and marketable title to the Assets in the name of
Buyer, free and clear of all claims, liabilities, security interests,
mortgages, liens, pledges, conditions, charges or encumbrances, except for
liens for current taxes not yet due and payable;
(b) Consents. A manually executed copy of any instrument
evidencing receipt of any Consent;
(c) Officer's Certificate. A certificate, dated as of
the Closing Date, executed on behalf of Seller by an officer of Seller,
certifying (1) that the representations and warranties of Seller contained in
this Agreement are true and complete in all material respects as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of that date; and (2) that Seller has in all
material respects performed and complied with all of its obligations,
covenants, and agreements set forth in this Agreement to be performed and
complied with on or prior to the Closing Date;
(d) Tax, Lien, and Judgment Searches. Results of a
search for tax, lien, and judgment filings in the records of the Virginia State
Corporation Commission as well as the records of those counties in Virginia in
which any of the Assets are located, such searches having been made no earlier
than fifteen days prior to the Closing Date;
(e) Licenses, Contracts, Business Records, Etc. Copies
of all Licenses, Assumed Contracts, blueprints, schematics, working drawings,
plans, projections, engineering records, and all files and records used by
Seller in connection with its operations;
(f) Accounts Receivable. A complete and accurate list of
the Station's accounts receivable as of a date no more than five business days
prior to the Closing Date, including, with respect to each of the accounts
receivable, the account number, date of issuance, name and address of account
debtor, aggregate amount, and balance due;
(g) Opinion of Counsel. An Opinion of Seller's counsel
dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Schedule 8.2(i)
hereto;
(h) Lenders Certificates. Such certificates and
confirmations to Buyer's senior lenders as Buyer may reasonably request in
connection with obtaining financing for the performance of its payment
obligations hereunder.
8.3 Deliveries by Buyer. Prior to or on the Closing Date, Buyer
shall deliver to Seller the following, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Seller and its counsel:
32
- 27 -
(a) Purchase Price. The Purchase Price as provided in
Section 2.3;
(b) Assumption Agreements. Appropriate assumption
agreements pursuant to which Buyer shall assume and undertake to perform
Seller's obligations under the Licenses and Assumed Contracts insofar as they
relate to the time on and after the Closing Date and arise out of events
related to Buyer's ownership of the Assets or its operation of the Station on
or after the Closing Date;
(c) Officer's Certificate. A certificate, dated as of
the Closing Date, executed on behalf of Buyer by an officer of Buyer,
certifying (1) that the representations and warranties of Buyer contained in
this Agreement are true and complete in all material respects as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of that date, and (2) that Buyer has in all
material respects performed and complied with all of its obligations,
covenants, and agreements set forth in this Agreement to be performed and
complied with on or prior to the Closing Date;
(d) Opinion of Counsel. An opinion of Buyer's counsel
dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Schedule 8.3(d)
hereto.
SECTION 9. TERMINATION
9.1 Termination by Seller. This Agreement may be terminated by
Seller and the purchase and sale of the Station abandoned, if Seller is not
then in material default, upon written notice to Buyer, upon the occurrence of
any of the following:
(a) Conditions. If on the date that would otherwise be
the Closing Date any of the conditions precedent to the obligations of Seller
set forth in this Agreement have not been satisfied or waived in writing by
Seller.
(b) Judgments. If there shall be in effect on the date
that would otherwise be the Closing Date any judgment, decree, or order that
would prevent or make unlawful the Closing.
(c) Upset Date. If the Closing shall not have occurred
by December 31, 1997.
(d) Breach. Without limiting Seller's rights under the
other provisions of this Section 9.1, if Buyer has failed to cure any material
breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants under this
Agreement within fifteen days after Buyer received written notice of such
breach from Seller.
33
- 28 -
9.2 Termination by Buyer. This Agreement may be terminated by
Buyer and the purchase and sale of the Station abandoned, if Buyer is not then
in material default, upon written notice to Seller, upon the occurrence of any
of the following:
(a) Conditions. If on the date that would otherwise be
the Closing Date any of the conditions precedent to the obligations of Buyer
set forth in this Agreement have not been satisfied or waived in writing by
Buyer.
(b) Judgments. If there shall be in effect on the date
that would otherwise be the Closing Date any judgment, decree, or order that
would prevent or make unlawful the Closing.
(c) Upset Date. If the Closing shall not have occurred
on or before December 31, 1997.
(d) Interruption of Service. If any event shall have
occurred that prevented signal transmission of the Station in the normal and
usual manner for a continuous period of seven days.
(e) Environmental Hazards. Buyer shall have notified
Seller of material environmental hazards or the material possibility of
environmental damages or clean-up costs, as indicated in the environmental
study described in Section 6.5, within 30 days prior to the Closing Date, and
the cause thereof shall not have been remedied prior to the Closing Date.
(f) Technical Deficiencies. Buyer shall have notified
Seller of material deficiencies in the operations or equipment of the Station,
as indicated in the engineering study described in Section 6.6, within 30 days
prior to the Closing Date, and the cause thereof shall not have been remedied
prior to the Closing Date.
(g) Breach. Without limiting Buyer's rights under the
other provisions of this Section 9.2, if Seller has failed to cure any material
breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants under this
Agreement within fifteen days after Seller received written notice of such
breach from Buyer.
9.3 Rights on Termination. If this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to Section 9.1 or Section 9.2 and neither party is in material breach
of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall not have any further liability to
each other with respect to the purchase and sale of the Assets. If this
Agreement is terminated by Seller due to Buyer's material breach of this
Agreement, then Seller shall have all rights and remedies available at law. If
this Agreement is terminated by Buyer due to Seller's material breach of this
Agreement, Buyer shall have all rights and remedies available at law or equity.
34
- 29 -
SECTION 10. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES;
INDEMNIFICATION; CERTAIN REMEDIES
10.1 Representations and Warranties. All representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement shall be deemed continuing
representations and warranties and shall survive the Closing for a period of
eighteen months. Any investigations by or on behalf of any party hereto shall
not constitute a waiver as to enforcement of any representation, warranty, or
covenant contained in this Agreement. No notice or information delivered by
Seller shall affect Buyer's right to rely on any representation or warranty
made by Seller or relieve Seller of any obligations under this Agreement as the
result of a breach of any of its representations and warranties.
10.2 Indemnification by Seller. Notwithstanding the Closing, and
regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of Buyer or
any information Buyer may have, Seller hereby agrees to indemnify and hold
Buyer harmless against and with respect to, and shall reimburse Buyer for:
(a) Any and all losses, liabilities, or damages resulting
from any untrue representation, breach of warranty, or nonfulfillment of any
covenant by Seller contained in this Agreement or in any certificate, document,
or instrument delivered to Buyer under this Agreement.
(b) Any and all obligations of Seller not assumed by
Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, including any liabilities arising at any time
under any Contract not included in the Assumed Contracts.
(c) Any loss, liability, obligation, or cost resulting
from the failure of the parties to comply with the provisions of any bulk sales
law applicable to the transfer of the Assets.
(d) Any and all losses, liabilities, or damages resulting
from the operation or ownership of the Station prior to the Closing, including
any liabilities arising under the Licenses or the Assumed Contracts which
relate to events occurring prior the Closing Date.
(e) Any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims,
demands, assessments, judgments, costs, and expenses, including reasonable
legal fees and expenses, incident to any of the foregoing or incurred in
investigating or attempting to avoid the same or to oppose the imposition
thereof, or in enforcing this indemnity.
10.3 Indemnification by Buyer. Notwithstanding the Closing, and
regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of Seller or
any information Seller may have,
35
- 30 -
Buyer hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Seller harmless against and with
respect to, and shall reimburse Seller for:
(a) Any and all losses, liabilities, or damages resulting
from any untrue representation, breach of warranty, or nonfulfillment of any
covenant by Buyer contained in this Agreement or in any certificate, document,
or instrument delivered to Seller under this Agreement.
(b) Any and all obligations of Seller assumed by Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Any and all losses, liabilities, or damages resulting
from the operation or ownership of the Station on and after the Closing.
(d) Any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims,
demands, assessments, judgments, costs and expenses, including reasonable legal
fees and expenses, incident to any of the foregoing or incurred in
investigating or attempting to avoid the same or to oppose the imposition
thereof, or in enforcing this indemnity.
10.4 Procedure for Indemnification. The procedure for
indemnification shall be as follows:
(a) The party claiming indemnification (the "Claimant")
shall promptly give notice to the party from which indemnification is claimed
(the "Indemnifying Party") of any claim, whether between the parties or brought
by a third party, specifying in reasonable detail the factual basis for the
claim. If the claim relates to an action, suit, or proceeding filed by a third
party against Claimant, such notice shall be given by Claimant within five
business days after written notice of such action, suit, or proceeding was given
to Claimant.
(b) With respect to claims solely between the parties,
following receipt of notice from the Claimant of a claim, the Indemnifying
Party shall have thirty days to make such investigation of the claim as the
Indemnifying Party deems necessary or desirable. For the purposes of such
investigation, the Claimant agrees to make available to the Indemnifying Party
and/or its authorized representatives the information relied upon by the
Claimant to substantiate the claim. If the Claimant and the Indemnifying Party
agree at or prior to the expiration of the thirty- day period (or any mutually
agreed upon extension thereof) to the validity and amount of such claim, the
Indemnifying Party shall immediately pay to the Claimant the full amount of the
claim. If the Claimant and the Indemnifying Party do not agree within the
thirty-day period (or any mutually agreed upon extension thereof), the Claimant
may seek appropriate remedy at law or equity or under the arbitration
provisions of this Agreement, as applicable.
36
- 31 -
(c) With respect to any claim by a third party as to
which the Claimant is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the
Indemnifying Party shall have the right at its own expense, to participate in
or assume control of the defense of such claim, and the Claimant shall
cooperate fully with the Indemnifying Party, subject to reimbursement for
actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Claimant as the result of a
request by the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume
control of the defense of any third-party claim, the Claimant shall have the
right to participate in the defense of such claim at its own expense. If the
Indemnifying Party does not elect to assume control or otherwise participate in
the defense of any third party claim, it shall be bound by the results obtained
by the Claimant with respect to such claim.
(d) If a claim, whether between the parties or by a third
party, requires immediate action, the parties will make every effort to reach a
decision with respect thereto as expeditiously as possible.
(e) The indemnifications rights provided in Sections 10.2
and 10.3 shall extend to the shareholders, directors, officers, employees, and
representatives of any Claimant although for the purpose of the procedures set
forth in this Section 10.4, any indemnification claims by such parties shall be
made by and through the Claimant.
10.5 Specific Performance. The parties recognize that if Seller
breaches this Agreement and refuses to perform under the provisions of this
Agreement, monetary damages alone would not be adequate to compensate Buyer for
its injury. Buyer shall therefore be entitled, in addition to any other remedies
that may be available, including money damages, to obtain specific performance
of the terms of this Agreement. If any action is brought by Buyer to enforce
this Agreement, Seller shall waive the defense that there is an adequate remedy
at law.
10.6 Attorneys' Fees. In the event of a default by either party
which results in a lawsuit or other proceeding for any remedy available under
this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement from
the other party of its reasonable legal fees and expenses.
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Fees and Expenses. Any federal, state, or local sales tax
arising in connection with the conveyance of the Assets by Seller to Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid by Seller. Buyer and Seller shall
each pay one- half of all transfer taxes and all filing fees required by the
FCC in connection with the FCC Consent. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, each party shall pay its own expenses incurred in connection with
the authorization, preparation, execution, and performance of this Agreement,
including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, agents, and
representatives. Buyer shall pay at
37
- 32 -
the Closing the brokerage fee to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Communications Corporation in the
amount of $150,000, and each party shall be responsible for all fees or
commissions payable to any other finder, broker, advisor, or similar person
retained by or on behalf of such party.
11.2 Arbitration. Except as otherwise provided to the contrary
below, any dispute arising out of or related to this Agreement that Seller and
Buyer are unable to resolve by themselves shall be settled by arbitration by a
panel of three (3) neutral arbitrators who shall be selected in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the commercial arbitration rules of the American
Arbitration Association. The persons selected as arbitrators shall have prior
experience in the broadcasting industry but need not be professional
arbitrators, and persons such as lawyers, accountants, brokers and bankers shall
be acceptable. Before undertaking to resolve the dispute, each arbitrator shall
be duly sworn faithfully and fairly to hear and examine the matters in
controversy and to make a just award according to the best of his or her
understanding. The arbitration hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the
commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association in
Washington, D.C. The written decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be
final and binding on Seller and Buyer. The costs and expenses of the arbitration
proceeding shall be assessed between Seller and Buyer in a manner to be decided
by a majority of the arbitrators, and the assessment shall be set forth in the
decision and award of the arbitrators. Judgment on the award, if it is not paid
within thirty days, may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the
matter. No action at law or suit in equity based upon any claim arising out of
or related to this Agreement shall be instituted in any court by Seller or Buyer
against the other except (i) an action to compel arbitration pursuant to this
Section, (ii) an action to enforce the award of the arbitration panel rendered
in accordance with this Section, or (iii) a suit for specific performance
pursuant to Section 10.5.
11.3 Notices. All notices, demands, and requests required or
permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be (a) in
writing, (b) delivered by personal delivery, or sent by commercial delivery
service or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, (c) deemed
to have been given on the date of personal delivery or the date set forth in
the records of the delivery service or on the return receipt, and (d) addressed
as follows:
If to Seller or the Church: Pastor C. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Vine and Branch, Inc./Evangel Foursquare Church
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
With a copy to: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Associates, P.C.
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
38
- 33 -
If to Buyer: ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Communications of Roanoke-38, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
With a copy to: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇., Esq.
Dow, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, PLLC
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
or to any other or additional persons and addresses as the parties may from
time to time designate in a writing delivered in accordance with this Section
11.3.
11.4 Benefit and Binding Effect. Neither party hereto may assign
this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party hereto;
provided, however, that Buyer may assign its rights and obligations under this
Agreement, in whole or in part, to one or more subsidiaries or commonly
controlled affiliates of Buyer without seeking or obtaining Seller's prior
approval in which event Buyer shall have no further obligation hereunder and
Buyer may collaterally assign its rights and interests hereunder to its senior
lenders without seeking or obtaining Seller's prior approval. Upon any
permitted assignment by Buyer or Seller in accordance with this Section 11.4,
all references to"Buyer" herein shall be deemed to be references to Buyer's
assignee and all references to "Seller" herein shall be deemed to be references
to Seller's assignee, as the case may be. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and permitted assigns.
11.5 Further Assurances. The parties shall take any actions and
execute any other documents that may be necessary or desirable to the
implementation and consummation of this Agreement, including, in the case of
Seller, any additional bills of sale, deeds, or other transfer documents that,
in the reasonable opinion of Buyer, may be necessary to ensure, complete, and
evidence the full and effective transfer of the Assets to Buyer pursuant to
this Agreement.
11.6 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED, CONSTRUED,
AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA (WITHOUT
REGARD TO THE CHOICE OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF).
11.7 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are included for
ease of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or
construction of the provisions of this Agreement.
39
- 34 -
11.8 Gender and Number. Words used in this Agreement, regardless
of the gender and number specifically used, shall be deemed and construed to
include any other gender, masculine, feminine, or neuter, and any other number,
singular or plural, as the context requires.
11.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the schedules, hereto, and
all documents, certificates, and other documents to be delivered by the parties
pursuant hereto, collectively represent the entire understanding and agreement
between Buyer and Seller with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations between the parties and cannot be
amended, supplemented, or changed except by an agreement in writing that makes
specific reference to this Agreement and which is signed by the party against
which enforcement of any such amendment, supplement, or modification is sought.
11.10 Waiver of Compliance; Consents. Except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement, any failure of any of the parties to comply with any
obligation, representation, warranty, covenant, agreement, or condition herein
may be waived by the party entitled to the benefits thereof only by a written
instrument signed by the party granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure
to insist upon strict compliance with such obligation, representation,
warranty, covenant, agreement, or condition shall not operate as a waiver of,
or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure. Whenever this
Agreement requires or permits consent by or on behalf of any party hereto, such
consent shall be given in writing in a manner consistent with the requirements
for a waiver of compliance as set forth in this Section 11.10.
11.11 Press Release. Neither party shall publish any press release,
make any other public announcement or otherwise communicate with any news media
concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
prior to the filing of the application for FCC Consent. Following such filing,
neither party shall publish any press release or make any other public
announcement or otherwise make such communications without the prior consent of
the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent either party
from (a) making such public announcements as may be required to comply with
federal or state securities laws or (b) promptly making all filings with
governmental authorities as may, in its judgment be required or advisable in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
11.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts
with the same effect as if the signature on each counterpart were upon the same
instrument.
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
40
-35-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Asset
Purchase Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ COMMUNICATIONS OF
ROANOKE-38, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Chairman
VINE AND BRANCH, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
C. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
President
EVANGEL FOURSQUARE CHURCH
By: /s/ C. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
C. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Pastor