DEF 14A 1 def14a.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [  ]

 

Check the appropriate box:
[  ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[  ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[  ] Definitive Additional Materials
[  ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

 

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

170 Pater House, Psaila St

Birkirkara BKR 9077 Malta

Telephone: 356 2757 7000

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

A Special Meeting of the shareholders of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Company”, “Esports”, “we”, “us” or “our”), will be held on August 13, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. local time at 101 S Wood Ave, Iselin, NJ 08830 for the purposes of:

 

  1. Approving the Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan; and
     
  2. To act on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement that is attached and made a part of this Notice. The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement that is attached and made a part of this Notice.

 

Only stockholders of record of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) at the close of business on June 30, 2020, will be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. A list of all shareholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder, will be available at the principal office of the Company during usual business hours, for examination by any shareholder for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting for 10 days prior to the date thereof. The proxy materials will be furnished to shareholders on or about July 14, 2020.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

/s/ Grant Johnson  
Grant Johnson  
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors  
July 14, 2020  

 

You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy as instructed in these materials, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for your convenience. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SPECIAL MEETING 1
   
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING 2
   
PROPOSAL NO. 1: APPROVAL OF THE ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. 2020 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN 5
   
PROPOSAL NO. 2: APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES 10
   
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 10
   
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 16
   
OTHER BUSINESS 17
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 17
   
APPENDIX - A - 2020 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN 18 

 

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ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

170 Pater House, Psaila St

Birkirkara BKR 9077 Malta

Telephone: 356 2757 7000

 

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020

 

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SPECIAL MEETING

 

General

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (the “Company”), for use at the Special Meeting of the Company’s shareholders to be held at 101 S Wood Ave, Iselin, NJ 08830, on August 13, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. local time and at any adjournments thereof. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in person, please vote your shares as promptly as possible to ensure that your vote is counted. The proxy materials will be furnished to shareholders on or about July 14, 2020.

 

Revocability of Proxy and Solicitation

 

Any shareholder executing a proxy that is solicited hereby has the power to revoke it prior to the voting of the proxy. Revocation may be made by attending the Special Meeting and voting the shares of stock in person, or by delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company prior to the Special Meeting a written notice of revocation or a later-dated, properly executed proxy. Solicitation of proxies may be made by directors, officers and other employees of the Company by personal interview, telephone, facsimile transmittal or electronic communications.

 

Record Date

 

Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2020 (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the meeting.

 

Action to be Taken Under Proxy

 

Unless otherwise directed by the giver of the proxy, the persons named in the form of proxy, namely, Grant Johnson, our Chief Executive Officer, will vote:

 

  FOR approval of the Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan;

 

  According to his discretion, on the transaction of such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

Who is Entitled to Vote; Vote Required; Quorum

 

As of June 30, 2020, there were 10,974,106 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which constitutes all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held by them.

 

Thirty-three and 34/100 percent (33.34%) of the outstanding shares, or 1,340,374 shares, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. For purposes of the quorum and the discussion below regarding the vote necessary to take shareholder action, shareholders of record who are present at the Special Meeting in person or by proxy and who abstain, including broker non-votes (as described below), and brokers holding customers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded at the meeting, are considered shareholders who are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

 

Brokers holding shares of record for customers generally are not entitled to vote on “non-routine” matters, unless they receive voting instructions from their customers. As used herein, “uninstructed shares” means shares held by a broker who has not received such instructions from its customers on a proposal. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding uninstructed shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that non-routine matter. In connection with the treatment of abstentions and broker non-votes, the proposal at this meeting to approve the 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan is considered “non-routine” matters, and brokers are not entitled to vote uninstructed shares with respect to this proposal.

 

For the proposal to approve the 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock cast at the meeting in person or by proxy is required for approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present but will not be counted as votes cast and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING

 

Why am I receiving these materials?

 

We have sent you these proxy materials because the Board of ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. (sometimes referred to as the “Company,” “Esports,” “we” or “us”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders. According to our records, you were a shareholder of the Company as of the end of business on June 30, 2020.

 

You are invited to attend the Special Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card.

 

The Company intends to mail these proxy materials on or about July 14, 2020 to all shareholders of record on the Record Date entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.

 

What is included in these materials?

 

These materials include this proxy statement for the Special Meeting and the proxy card.

 

What is the proxy card?

 

The proxy card enables you to appoint Grant Johnson, our Chief Executive Officer, as your representative at the Special Meeting. By completing and returning a proxy card, you are authorizing these individuals to vote your shares at the Special Meeting in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Special Meeting.

 

When and where is the Special Meeting being held?

 

The Special Meeting will be held on Monday, August 13, 2020 commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time, at 101 S Wood Ave, Iselin, NJ 08830.

 

Can I view these proxy materials over the Internet?

 

Yes. The Notice of Meeting, this Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card are available at http://viewproxy.com.

 

Who can vote at the Special Meeting?

 

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2020 will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. On this Record Date, there were 10,974,106 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

The Special Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., local time. Check-in will begin one-half hour prior to the meeting. Please allow ample time for the check-in procedures.

 

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

 

If on June 30, 2020 your shares were registered directly in your name with Esports’s transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, then you are a shareholder of record. As a shareholder of record, you may vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy.

 

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

 

If on June 30, 2020, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, rather than in your name, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Special Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Special Meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

 

What am I voting on?

 

The following matters are scheduled for a vote:

 

  1. To approve the Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan;

 

  2. To act on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

The Board is not currently aware of any other business that will be brought before the Special Meeting.

 

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How do I vote?

 

You may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are fairly simple:

 

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

 

If you are a shareholder of record as of the Record Date, you may vote in person at the Special Meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.

 

  To vote in person, come to the Special Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. A list of shareholders eligible to vote at the Special Meeting will be available for inspection at the Special Meeting and for a period of ten days prior to the Special Meeting during regular business hours at our principal executive offices, which are located at 170 Pater House, Psaila St, Birkirkara BKR 9077 Malta.

 

  To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your completed and signed proxy card to us before the Special Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

 

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

 

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail your voting instructions as directed by your broker or bank to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may be able to vote by telephone or over the Internet by following instructions provided by your broker or bank. To vote in person at the Special Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

 

How many votes do I have?

 

On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the Record Date.

 

What is a quorum for purposes of conducting the Special Meeting?

 

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of thirty-three and 34/100 percent (33.34%) of the issued and outstanding common stock, or 3,560,174 shares, entitled to vote at the meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business. If a quorum is not present or represented at the Special Meeting, the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or by proxy, may adjourn the Special Meeting from time to time without notice or other announcement until a quorum is present or represented.

 

What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?

 

If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted “FOR” approval of the Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 1), and “FOR” approval of any adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and all adjournments and postponements thereof; and if any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxy holder (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment. How does the Board recommend that I vote?

 

Our Board recommends that you vote your shares “FOR” approval of the Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 1); and “FOR” approval of any adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and all adjournments and postponements thereof. Unless you provide other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board as set forth in this Proxy Statement.

 

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Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

 

We will bear the cost of mailing and solicitation of proxies. Proxies may be solicited by mail or personally by our directors, officers or employees, none of whom will receive additional compensation for such solicitation. Those holding shares as of record for the benefit of others, or nominee holders, are being asked to distribute proxy soliciting materials to, and request voting instructions from, the beneficial owners of such shares. We will reimburse nominee holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

What does it mean if I receive more than one set of proxy materials?

 

If you receive more than one set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please complete, sign and return each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

 

I share the same address with another Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. shareholder. Why has our household only received one set of proxy materials?

 

The SEC’s rules permit us to deliver a single set of proxy materials to one address shared by two or more of our shareholders. This practice, known as “householding,” is intended to reduce the Company’s printing and postage costs. We have delivered only one set of proxy materials to shareholders who hold their shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record and share a single address, unless we received contrary instructions from any shareholder at that address. However, any such street name holder residing at the same address who wishes to receive a separate copy of the proxy materials may make such a request by contacting the bank, broker or other holder of record, or Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at (800) 542-1061 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. Street name holders residing at the same address who would like to request householding of Company materials may do so by contacting the bank, broker or other holder of record or Broadridge at the phone number or address listed above.

 

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

 

Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:

 

  You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date;
  You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to the Company at 170 Pater House, Psaila St, Birkirkara BKR 9077 Malta, Attn: Chief Executive Officer; or
  You may attend the Special Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.

 

If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

 

How are votes counted?

 

Votes will be counted by the inspector of elections appointed for the meeting, who will separately count “For,” “Abstain” and “Against” votes, and broker non-votes. Abstentions will not be counted as votes for any matter.

 

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

 

For all matters, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Special Meeting in person or by proxy is required for approval.

 

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Is my vote kept confidential?

 

Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except:

 

  as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements;

 

  to allow for the tabulation and certification of votes; and

 

  to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.

 

Occasionally, shareholders provide written comments on their proxy cards, which may be forwarded to the Company’s management and the Board.

 

How can I find out the results of the voting at the Special Meeting?

 

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Special Meeting. Final voting results will be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed after the Special Meeting.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1: APPROVAL OF THE ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. 2020 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Overview

 

On August 1, 2017, the Company adopted the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). Pursuant to the 2017 Plan, the number of incentive stock options issued to employees, officers, and directors of the Company shall not exceed 166,667. The Company does not believe that there is a sufficient number of shares available under the 2017 Plan in order to attract and retain qualified executives and employees in the long term and is seeking to have shareholders approve the Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) which was adopted by the Board on June 26, 2020, subject to shareholder approval. If approved by shareholders, the 2020 Plan will provide stock-based incentive compensation to select officers, employees, non-employee directors, consultants and service providers.

 

The 2020 Plan was designed by the Compensation Committee with the assistance of management as part of a comprehensive compensation strategy to provide long-term incentives for employees and non-employees to contribute to the growth of the Company and attain specific performance goals.

 

Approval of the 2020 Plan will allow the Company to award stock options in the form of non-qualified and incentive options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units to employees and to non-employee directors, consultants and service providers. In determining the number of shares available under the 2020 Plan, we considered the historical burn-rate of the Company’s previous incentive plans, and the potential dilution to shareholders. The 1,500,000 shares available under the 2020 Plan represent approximately 13.66% of the Company’s 10,974,106 currently outstanding shares (the “Share Reserve”).

 

Based on historical burn rates and our current stock price, the Compensation Committee believes the 1,500,000 shares that may be awarded under the 2020 Plan together with the annual increase in the Share Reserve should be sufficient to cover grants in the coming years.

 

Plan Highlights

 

The essential features of our 2020 Plan are outlined below. The following description is not complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of our 2020 Plan, which is appended to this Information Statement as Annex A.

 

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Options are subject to the following conditions:

 

  (i) The Committee (as defined below) determines the exercise price of Incentive Options at the time the Incentive Options are granted. The assigned exercise price must be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2020 Plan) of the Company’s Common Stock on the Grant Day (as defined in the 2020 Plan). In the event that the recipient is a Ten Percent Owner (as defined in the 2020 Plan), the exercise price must be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Company on the Grant Day.
     
  (ii) The exercise price of each Non-qualified Option will be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share of the Company’s Common Stock on the date the Non-qualified Option is granted.
     
  (iii) The Committee fixes the term of Options, provided that Options may not be exercisable more than ten years from the date the Option is granted, and provided further that Incentive Options granted to a Ten Percent Owner may not be exercisable more than five years from the date the Incentive Option is granted.
     
  (iv) Stock Options shall become exercisable and/or vested at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Committee at or after the Grant Date. The Award Agreement may permit a grantee to exercise all or a portion of a Stock Option immediately at grant; provided that the Shares issued upon such exercise shall be subject to restrictions and a vesting schedule identical to the vesting schedule of the related Stock Option, such Shares shall be deemed to be Restricted Stock for purposes of the Plan, and the optionee may be required to enter into an additional or new Award Agreement as a condition to exercise of such Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to Shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options. An optionee shall not be deemed to have acquired any Shares unless and until a Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement and this Plan and the optionee’s name has been entered on the books of the Company as a stockholder.
     
  (v) Options are not transferable except to a recipient’s family members or partnerships in which such family members are the only partners and Options are exercisable only by the Options’ recipient, except upon the recipient’s death.
     
  (vi) Incentive Options may not be issued in an amount or manner where the amount of Incentive Options exercisable in one year entitles the holder to Common Stock of the Company with an aggregate Fair Market value of greater than $100,000.

 

Awards of Restricted Stock are subject to the following conditions:

 

  (i) The Committee grants Restricted Stock Options and determines the restrictions on each Restricted Stock Award (as defined in the 2020 Plan). Upon the grant of a Restricted Stock Award and the payment of any applicable purchase price, grantee is considered the record owner of the Restricted Stock and entitled to vote the Restricted Stock if such Restricted Stock is entitled to voting rights.
     
  (ii) Restricted Stock may not be delivered to the grantee until the Restricted Stock has vested.
     
  (iii) Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as provided in the 2020 Plan or in the Award Agreement (as defined in the 2020 Plan).

 

Upon a Termination Event (as defined in the 2020 Plan), the Company or its assigns shall have the right and option to repurchase from a Holder of Shares (as defined in the 2020 Plan) received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award any Shares that are still subject to a risk of forfeiture as of the Termination Event (as defined in the 2020 Plan).

 

Purpose

 

The objective of the 2020 Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, directors, consultants and other key persons of the Company and its subsidiaries, upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.

 

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Grants

 

The 2020 Plan permits the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and other equity-based awards (collectively, “grants”). Although all employees and all of the employees of our subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants under our 2020 Plan, the grant to any particular employee is subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board, comprised of not less than two directors (such body that administers the 2020 Plan, the “Committee”).

 

The maximum number of Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 1,500,000 Shares, subject to adjustment and the following sentence regarding the annual increase. The Share Reserve will automatically increase on January 1st of each year, for a period of not more than nine years, commencing on January 1, 2021 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2029, in an amount equal to 233,968 shares (which is the equivalent of 4% of the 5,849,207 shares of Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2019). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the Share Reserve for such year or that the increase in the Share Reserve for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. If a grant expires or terminates for any reason before it is fully vested or exercised, or if any grant is forfeited, we may again make the number of shares subject to that grant that the participant has not purchased or that has not vested subject to another grant under the 2020 Plan.

 

We have made and will make appropriate adjustments to outstanding grants and to the number or kind of shares subject to the 2020 Plan in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, share combination or reclassification and certain other types of corporate transactions, including a merger or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

 

All grants will be determined by the Compensation Committee or a committee of the Board (the “Committee”) and at this time, no grants have been determined or awarded.

 

Administration

 

The 2020 Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Compensation Committee shall have the authority and power:

 

  (i) to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
     
  (ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the amount, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;
     
  (iii) to determine the number and types of Shares to be covered by any Award and, subject to the provisions of the 2020 Plan, the price, exercise price, conversion ratio or other price relating thereto;
     
  (iv) to determine and, subject to the 2020 Plan, to modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the 2020 Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the form of Award Agreements;
     
  (v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;
     
  (vi) to impose any limitations on Awards, including limitations on transfers, repurchase provisions and the like, and to exercise repurchase rights or obligations;
     
  (vii) subject to any restrictions imposed under the 2020 Plan or by Section 409A, to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and
     
  (viii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the 2020 Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the 2020 Plan and any Award (including Award Agreements); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the 2020 Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the 2020 Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the 2020 Plan.

 

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All decisions and interpretations of the Compensation Committee shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and all Holders.

 

Grant Instruments

 

All grants will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in our 2020 Plan and to such other terms and conditions consistent with our 2020 Plan as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate and as are specified in writing by the Committee to the individual in a grant instrument or an amendment to the grant instrument. All grants will be made conditional upon the acknowledgement of the grantee in writing or by acceptance of the grant, that all decisions and determinations of the Compensation Committee will be final and binding on the grantee, his or her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest under such grant.

 

Terms and Conditions of Grants

 

The grant instrument will state the number of shares subject to the grant and the other terms and conditions of the grant, consistent with the requirements of our 2020 Plan. The purchase price per share subject to an option (or the exercise price per share in the case of a SAR) must equal at least the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price per share for the Shares covered by a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the exercise price per share for the Shares covered by such Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date.

 

Under the 2020 Plan, the term “Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Committee based on the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method that is consistent with Section 409A of the Code. If the Stock is admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to the closing price reported on such exchange. If there is no closing price for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there is a closing price. If the date for which Fair Market Value is determined is the first day when trading prices for the Stock are reported on a national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the “Price to the Public” (or equivalent).

 

“Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

Transferability

 

Restricted Stock, Stock Options, SARs and, prior to exercise, the Shares issuable upon exercise of such Stock Option, shall not be transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will, or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee’s lifetime, only by the optionee, or by the optionee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the optionee’s incapacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement regarding a given Stock Option or Restricted Stock award that the optionee may transfer by gift, without consideration for the transfer, his or her Non-Qualified Stock Options to his or her family members (as defined in Rule 701 of the Securities Act), to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners (to the extent such trusts or partnerships are considered “family members” for purposes of Rule 701 of the Securities Act), provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this 2020 Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, including the execution of a stock power upon the issuance of Shares.

 

 8 
   

 

Amendment and Termination

 

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the 2020 Plan and the Committee may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the consent of the holder of the Award. The Committee may exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or effect repricing through cancellation of outstanding Stock Options and by granting such holders new Awards in replacement of the cancelled Stock Options. To the extent determined by the Committee to be required either by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the 2020 Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code or otherwise, 2020 Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Nothing in this Section 12 shall limit the Board’s or Committee’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(c). The Board reserves the right to amend the 2020 Plan and/or the terms of any outstanding Stock Options to the extent reasonably necessary to comply with the requirements of the exemption pursuant to Rule 12h-1 of the Exchange Act.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The following summary is intended only as a general guide as to the United States federal income tax consequences under current law of participation in our 2020 Plan and does not attempt to describe all possible federal or other tax consequences of such participation or tax consequences based on particular circumstances.

 

Stock option grants under the 2020 Plan are intended either to qualify as incentive stock options under Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”) §422 or to be non-qualified stock options governed by IRC §83, depending on how same are granted. Generally, no federal income tax is payable by a participant upon the grant of a stock option and no deduction is allowed to be taken by the Company. Under current tax laws, if a participant exercises a non-qualified stock option, he or she will have taxable income equal to the difference between the market price of the stock on the exercise date and the stock option grant price. The Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction on its income tax return. A participant will have no taxable income upon exercising an incentive stock option if the shares received are held for the applicable holding period (except that alternative minimum tax may apply), and the Company will receive no deduction when an incentive stock option is exercised. The Company may be entitled to a deduction in the case of a disposition of shares acquired under an incentive stock option that occurs before the applicable holding period has been satisfied.

 

Restricted stock and restricted stock units are also governed by IRC §83. Generally, the award of such restricted rights do not give rise to taxable income so long as same are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (i.e., becomes vested or transferable). Restricted stock generally becomes taxable when it is no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” Restricted stock units become taxable when settled. When taxable to the participant, income tax is paid on the value of the stock or units at ordinary rates. The Company will generally be entitled to a corresponding deduction on its income tax return in the year of income recognition by the grantee. Any additional gain on shares received are then taxed at capital gains rates when the shares are sold.

 

The grant of a stock appreciation right will not result in income for the participant or in a tax deduction for the Company. Upon the settlement of such a right, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the aggregate value of the payment received, and the Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount.

 

The foregoing is only a summary of the effect of federal income taxation on the participant and the Company under the 2020 Plan. It does not purport to be complete and does not discuss the tax consequences arising in the context of a participant’s death or the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which the participant’s income may be taxable.

 

Tax Withholding

 

Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Shares or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such income. The Company and any Subsidiary shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s obligation to deliver stock certificates (or evidence of book entry) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on any such tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

 

 9 
   

 

The Company’s minimum required tax withholding obligation may be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the Company withholding from Shares to be issued pursuant to an Award a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount due.

 

No Dissenters’ Rights

 

Under the Nevada Revised Statutes, the Stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to the 2020 Plan, and the Company will not independently provide Stockholders with any such right.

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. 2020 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2: APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES

 

Adjournment of the Special Meeting

 

In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and voting “FOR” the adoption of each of the proposals specified in the Notice of Special Meeting is insufficient to adopt every or any proposal, we may move to adjourn the Special Meeting in order to enable the Board to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the proposals specified in the Notice of Special Meeting. In that event, we will ask stockholders to vote only upon the adjournment proposal and not on any other proposal discussed in this proxy statement. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

 

If a quorum is present, approval of the proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting.

 

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies, if there are insufficient proxies at the Special Meeting to approve each or any of the proposals specified in the Notice of Special Meeting

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table summarizes information concerning the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to, our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer or PEO) and our two most highly compensated executive officers other than the Principal Executive Officer during fiscal years 2019 and 2018 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”) who served in such capacities.

 

Name and Principal Position  Year   Salary   Bonus   Stock
Awards
   Option
Awards(1)
   Other
Annual
Compensation
   All Other
Compensation(1)
   Total 
Grant Johnson,   2019   $120,000                       $     120,000 
CEO and President(2)   2018   $120,000                       $120,000 
Yan Rozum,   2019   $75,000                       $75,000 
Former CTO(3)   2018   $50,000                       $50,000 
Christopher Malone   2019   $49,000        61,500               $49,000 
Former CFO(4)   2018                             

 

 

 

(1) The fair value of options granted computed in accordance with ASC718 on the date of grant.
(2) Annual salary of $120,000.
(3) Annual salary of $75,000. Mr. Rozum commenced as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer on November 22, 2017. Mr. Rozum resigned all of his positions with the Company on September 19, 2019.
(4) Annual salary of $84,000 with a signing bonus stock award of 100,000 shares of common stock. Commenced as CFO on November 16, 2018. Mr. Malone resigned of his position as Chief Financial Officer and director on February 20, 2020.

 

 10 
   

 

Employment Agreements

 

Grant Johnson

 

On June 1, 2017, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Grant Johnson to serve as our Chief Executive, President, Financial and Accounting Officer. The agreement provides for an annual salary of $120,000. The Employment Agreement has a term of two years and automatically extends for successive one-year periods unless terminated by the Company or Mr. Johnson. The agreement also provides for an annual bonus of up to 50% of Mr. Grant’s base salary at the Board’s discretion and entitles Mr. Johnson to receive various employee benefits generally made available to other officers and senior managers of the Company.

 

Under this agreement, if the Company were to terminate Mr. Johnson’s employment without cause, Mr. Johnson would be entitled to receive all compensation earned but unpaid through the date of termination and a severance payment equal to two months’ base annual salary.

 

Upon termination Mr. Johnson’s employment because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide Mr. Johnson (i) any unpaid base salary and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid annual bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (iv) all other payments or benefits to which Mr. Johnson may be entitled under the terms of any applicable employee benefit plan, program or arrangement (collectively, “Accrued Benefits”). Upon the termination of Mr. Johnson’s employment because of death, Mr. Johnson’s estate shall be entitled to any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination Mr. Johnson’s employment by the Company for cause or by either party in connection with a failure to renew the employment agreement, the Company shall pay Mr. Johnson any Accrued Benefits.

 

Christopher Malone

 

On November 16, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Christopher Malone to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (the “Malone Employment Agreement”). The term of the Malone Employment Agreement is for one year and shall be automatically extended for additional terms of successive one-year periods (the “Additional Term”) unless the Company or the Executive gives written notice to the other of the termination of Mr. Malone’s employment hereunder at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or additional term of the Malone Employment Agreement. Mr. Malone is to receive an initial base salary of $84,000 per annum, and if the Company were to list on Nasdaq, the base salary would increase to $120,000 per annum. Mr. Malone Executive is eligible to earn an annual employee stock option bonus in such amount, if any, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board. The Malone Employment Agreement may be terminated with or without cause.

 

Under this agreement, if the Company were to terminate Mr. Malone’s employment without cause, Mr. Malone would be entitled to receive all compensation earned but unpaid through the date of termination and a severance payment equal to one months’ base annual salary for each full year of employment.

 

Upon termination Mr. Malone’s employment because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide Mr. Malone (i) any unpaid base fee and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid annual bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (iv) any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination of Mr. Malone’s employment because of death, Mr. Malone’s estate shall be entitled to any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination Mr. Malone’s employment by the Company for cause or by either party in connection with a failure to renew the employment agreement, the Company shall pay Mr. Malone any Accrued Benefits.

 

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On February 20, 2020, Mr. Malone resigned from his positions as Chief Financial Officer and member of the board of directors, effective immediately.

 

On February 21, 2020 Mr. Malone’s employment agreement was amended primarily to reflect his new position with the Company as Vice President of Finance. The material terms of the Malone Employment Agreement were unchanged.

 

John Brackens

 

On May 9, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. John Brackens to serve as the Company’s Chief Information Officer (the “May Brackens Employment Agreement”). The term of the Brackens Employment Agreement is for one year (the “Initial Term”) and shall be automatically extended for additional terms of successive one-year periods (the “Additional Term”) unless the Company or Mr. Brakens gives written notice to the other of the termination of Mr. Bracken’s employment hereunder at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or Additional Term of the Brackens Employment Agreement. Mr. Brackens is to receive an initial base salary of $120,000 per annum, and if the Company were to complete a financing in excess of $5,000,000, the base salary would increase to $144,000 per annum. Mr. Brackens is eligible to earn an annual employee stock option bonus in such amount, if any, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board. The Brackens Employment Agreement may be terminated with or without cause. The Company can terminate Mr. Brackens without cause at any time during the first ninety (90) days of the Initial Term of the Brackens Employment Agreement. Upon termination of Mr. Brackens because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide to Mr. Brackens (1) any unpaid salary and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (2) any unpaid bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (3) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (4) all other payments or benefits to which he may be entitled under the terms of any applicable employee benefit plan, program or arrangement.

 

On September 20, 2019, the Company entered in a new employment agreement with Mr. Brackens (the “September Brakens Employment Agreement”). The September Brakens Employment Agreement was entered into specifically to update Mr. Brackens position with the Company as its Chief Technology Officer. All of the material terms of the May Brakens Employment Agreement remain the same. Under this agreement, if the Company were to terminate Mr. Brackens’ employment without cause, Mr. Brackens would be entitled to receive all compensation earned but unpaid through the date of termination and a severance payment equal to two weeks’ base annual salary for each full year of employment.

 

Upon termination Mr. Brackens’ employment because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide Mr. Brackens (i) any unpaid base fee and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid annual bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (iv) any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination of Mr. Brackens’ employment because of death, Mr. Brackens’ estate shall be entitled to any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination Mr. Brackens’ employment by the Company for cause or by either party in connection with a failure to renew the employment agreement, the Company shall pay Mr. Brackens any Accrued Benefits.

 

Daniel Marks

 

On June 11, 2020, Mr. Marks entered into an engagement agreement with the Company. The Engagement Agreement is for a term of one year (the “Initial Term”) and shall be automatically extended for additional terms of successive one-year periods (the “Additional Term”) unless the Company or Mr. Marks gives at least 30 days written notice prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or each Additional Term.. Mr. Marks is to receive a base salary of $18,000 per month. Mr. Marks is eligible to earn an annual employee stock option bonus in such amount, if any, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board. The Engagement Agreement may be terminated with or without cause. The Company can terminate Mr. Marks without cause at any time during the first ninety (90) days of the Initial Term of the Engagement Agreement. Upon termination of Mr. Marks because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide to Mr. Marks (1) any unpaid salary and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (2) any unpaid bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (3) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (4) all other payments or benefits to which he may be entitled under the terms of any applicable employee benefit plan, program or arrangement. As a full-time employee of the Company, Mr. Marks will be eligible to participate in all of the Company’s benefit programs.

  

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Compensation-Setting Process/Role of Our Compensation Committee

 

During 2019, our Compensation Committee and board of directors was responsible for overseeing our executive compensation program, establishing our executive compensation philosophy, and determining specific executive compensation, including cash and equity. Our Compensation Committee considers one or more of the following factors when setting executive compensation, as further explained in the discussions of each compensation element below:

 

  the experiences and individual knowledge of the members of the committee regarding executive compensation, as we believe this approach helps us to compete in hiring and retaining the best possible talent while at the same time maintaining a reasonable and responsible cost structure;
     
  corporate and/or individual performance, as we believe this encourages our executive officers to focus on achieving our business objectives;
     
  the executive’s existing equity award and stock holdings; and
     
  internal pay equity of the compensation paid to one executive officer as compared to another — that is, that the compensation paid to each executive should reflect the importance of his or her role to the company as compared to the roles of the other executive officers, while at the same time providing a certain amount of parity to promote teamwork.

 

With our proposed transition to being a company listed on Nasdaq, our compensation program following this offering may, over time, vary significantly from our historical practices. For example, we expect that following this offering, in setting executive compensation, the compensation committee may review and consider, in addition to the items above, factors such as the achievement of predefined milestones, tax deductibility of compensation, the total compensation that may become payable to executive officers in various hypothetical scenarios, the performance of our common stock and compensation levels at public peer companies.

 

Executive Compensation Program Components

 

Base Salary

 

We provide base salary as a fixed source of compensation for our executive officers, allowing them a degree of certainty when having a meaningful portion of their compensation “at risk” in the form of equity awards covering the shares of a company for whose shares there has been limited liquidity to date. The compensation committee recognizes the importance of base salaries as an element of compensation that helps to attract highly qualified executive talent.

 

Base salaries for our executive officers were established primarily based on individual negotiations with the executive officers when they joined us and reflect the scope of their anticipated responsibilities, the individual experience they bring, the board members’ experiences and knowledge in compensating similarly situated individuals at other companies, our then-current cash constraints, and a general sense of internal pay equity among our executive officers.

 

The compensation committee does not apply specific formulas in determining base salary increases. In determining base salaries for 2018 for our continuing named executive officers, no adjustments were made to the base salaries of any of our named executive officers as the compensation committee determined, in their independent judgment and without reliance on any survey data, that existing base salaries, taken together with other elements of compensation, provided sufficient fixed compensation for retention purposes.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at June 30, 2019

 

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity award holdings held by our directors at June 30, 2019:

 

Name  Shares
issuable upon
exercise of
options
   Option
exercise price
($)
   Option
expiration
date
David Watt*   1,334   $10.50   8-1-23
Yan Rozum**   5,000   $10.50   8-1-23
Chul Wong Lim   1,334   $10.50   8-1-23

 

* Mr. Watt resigned from the board of directors on June 5, 2020.

 

** Mr. Rozum resigned all of his positions with the Company on September 19, 2019.

 

Stock Incentive Plan

 

We currently have a Stock Incentive Plan which authorizes the issuance of up to 166,667 shares of common stock pursuant to options or shares of common stock granted pursuant to the 2017 Plan. The terms and conditions of any options granted, and the terms and conditions of any stock issued, including the price of the shares of common stock issuable on the exercise of options, are governed by the provisions of the 2017 Plan and any agreements with the 2017 Plan participants.

 

The following lists, as of June 30, 2019 the options and shares granted pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan. Each option represents the right to purchase one share of our common stock:

 

Name of Plan  Total Shares
Reserved
Under Plan
   Shares
Reserved for
Outstanding
Options
   Shares Issued
as Stock Bonus
   Remaining
Options/Shares
Under Plan
 
Stock Incentive Plan   166,667    51,942        114,726 

 

Pursuant to the Plan, awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or Stock Bonuses.

 

Incentive Stock Options

 

All of our employees are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options pursuant to the Plan as may be determined by our board of directors which administers the Plan.

 

Options granted pursuant to the Plan terminate at such time as may be specified when the option is granted.

 

The total fair market value of the shares of common stock (determined at the time of the grant of the option) for which any employee may be granted options which are first exercisable in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.

 

In the discretion of the board of directors, options granted pursuant to the Plan may include instalment exercise terms for any option such that the option becomes fully exercisable in a series of cumulating portions. The board of directors may also accelerate the date upon which any option (or any part of any option) is first exercisable. However, no option, or any portion thereof may be exercisable until one year following the date of grant. In no event shall an option granted to an employee then owning more than l0% of our common stock be exercisable by its terms after the expiration of five years from the date of grant, nor shall any other option granted pursuant to the Plan be exercisable by its terms after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

 

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Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

Our employees, directors and officers, and consultants or advisors are eligible to be granted Non-Qualified Stock Options pursuant to the Plan as may be determined by our board of directors which administers the Plan, provided however that bona fide services must be rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must not be in connection with a capital-raising transaction or promoting our common stock.

 

Options granted pursuant to the Plan terminate at such time as may be specified when the option is granted.

 

In the discretion of the board of directors options granted pursuant to the Plan may include instalment exercise terms for any option such that the option becomes fully exercisable in a series of cumulating portions. The board of directors may also accelerate the date upon which any option (or any part of any option) is first exercisable. In no event shall an option be exercisable by its terms after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

 

Stock Bonuses

 

Our employees, directors and officers, and consultants or advisors are eligible to receive a grant of our shares, provided however that bona fide services must be rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must not be in connection with a capital-raising transaction or promoting our common stock. The grant of the shares rests entirely with our board of directors which administers the Plan. It is also left to the board of directors to decide the type of vesting and transfer restrictions which will be placed on the shares.

 

Outstanding equity awards Securities Authorized for Issuance under our Stock Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2019:

 

Plan Category  Number of
Securities to
be Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options
   Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants, and
Rights
   Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation
Plan
 
Stock Incentive Plan   51,942   $10.50    114,726 

 

Employee Pension, Profit Sharing or other Retirement Plan

 

We do not have a defined benefit, pension plan, profit sharing or other retirement plan, although we may adopt one or more of such plans in the future.

 

Directors’ Compensation

 

The table below shows the compensation paid to our directors during the year ended June 30, 2019. Grant Johnson was not compensated for acting as a director during fiscal 2019 and 2018:

 

Name  Year    Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
   Stock
Awards(1)
    Option
Awards(2)
    Total 
David Watt(3)   2019   $25,000   $   $   $25,000 
    2018   $25,000   $   $10,609   $35,609 
Chul Woong Lim   2019   $20,000   $   $   $20,000 
    2018   $8,507   $   $10,609   $19,116 
Yan Rozum (4)   2019   $   $   $   $ 
    2018   $5,000   $   $39,784   $44,784 
Allan Alden   2019   $10,000   $   $   $10,000 
    2018   $   $   $   $ 
Christopher Malone   2019   $   $   $   $ 
    2018   $   $   $   $ 
Damian Mathews(5)   2019   $   $   $   $ 
    2018   $   $   $   $ 

 

 

(1) The fair value of stock issued for services computed in accordance with ASC718 on the date of grant.
(2) The fair value of options granted computed in accordance with ASC718 on the date of grant.
(3) Mr. Watt resigned from the board of directors on June 5, 2020.
(4) Mr. Rozum resigned from the board of directors on September 19, 2019.
(5) Was appointed to the board of directors on June 3, 2020.

 

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During the year ended June 30, 2019, no director was also an executive officer of another entity, which had one of our executive officers serving as a director of such entity or as a member of the compensation committee of such entity.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following tables set forth certain information regarding our voting shares beneficially owned as of June 29, 2020 and is based on 10,974,106 shares issued and outstanding, for (i) each stockholder known to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each named executive officer and director, and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. A person is considered to beneficially own any shares: (i) over which such person, directly or indirectly, exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or (ii) of which such person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days through an exercise of stock options or warrants. Unless otherwise indicated, voting and investment power relating to the shares shown in the tables for our directors and executive officers is exercised solely by the beneficial owner or shared by the owner and the owner’s spouse or children.

 

For purposes of these tables, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of common stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 29, 2020. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by each person or group of persons, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 29, 2020 is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the shareholders named in the table below, or his or her family members, has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares of our Common Stock. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the shareholders listed below is: 170 Pater House, Psaila Street, Birkirkara, Malta, BKR 9077.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner  Number   Percent 
Grant Johnson(1)
1370 Pilgrims Way
Oakville, ON, Canada
   3,333,334    30.37%
Daniel Marks        
Chul Woong Lim(2)
204-804 Susaek Rd.
100 Seodaemun-gu Seoul, Korea
   14,667    * 
Damian Mathews(3)
69 De Luen Avenue
Tindalls Beach, Whangaparaoa
Auckland 0930
   6,667    * 
Alan Alden        
All Officers and Directors as a group (five persons)   3,361,335    30.62%
Shawn Erickson(4)
122-201 Rua Figueiredo Magnalhaes
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
   600,000    5.46%
VG-SPV LLC(5)
50 South Steele, Suite 508
Denver, CO 80209
   597,463    5.44%
5% Beneficial Shareholders as a Group   1,197,463    10.90%

 

* less than 1%

 

(1) Second Generation Holdings Trust is a trust controlled by Grant Johnson and currently holds 3,333,334 shares of common stock.

 

(2) Includes 13,333 shares of common stock and 1,334 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.

 

(3) Includes 6,667 shares of common stock.

 

(4) Includes 600,000 shares of common stock.

 

(5) Includes 419,685 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 177,778 shares of common stock currently exercisable VG-SPV, LLC is an entity controlled by First Capital Ventures, LLC. Gary Graham is the manager of First Capital Ventures, LLC.

 

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OTHER BUSINESS

 

We have not received notice of and do not expect any matters to be presented for vote at the Annual Meeting, other than the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. If you grant a proxy, the person named as proxy holder, Mark Meller, or their nominees or substitutes, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If for any unforeseen reason, any of our nominees are not available as a candidate for director, the proxy holder will vote your proxy for such other candidate or candidates nominated by our Board.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith, we file periodic reports, documents and other information with the SEC relating to our business, financial statements and other matters. Such reports and other information may be inspected and are available for copying at the offices of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or may be accessed at www.sec.gov. Information regarding the operation of the public reference rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You are encouraged to review our Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with any subsequent information we filed or will file with the SEC and other publicly available information.

 

*************

 

It is important that the proxies be returned promptly and that your shares be represented. Stockholders are urged to mark, date, execute and promptly return the accompanying proxy card.

 

 

July 14, 2020 By Order of the Board of Directors,
   
  /s/ Grant Johnson
  Grant Johnson
  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

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Appendix A

 

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

2020 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN: DEFINITIONS

 

The name of the plan is the ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. 2020 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage, retain and enable the officers, employees, directors, Consultants and other key persons of ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation (including any successor entity, the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries, upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.

 

The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

“Affiliate” of any Person means a Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the first mentioned Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such first Person possesses directly or indirectly the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of the second Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”), Restricted Stock Awards (including preferred stock), Unrestricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or any combination of the foregoing.

 

“Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. Each Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan; provided, however, in the event of any conflict in the terms of the Plan and the Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall govern.

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Cause” shall have the meaning as set forth in the Award Agreement(s). In the case that any Award Agreement does not contain a definition of “Cause,” it shall mean (i) the grantee’s dishonest statements or acts with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any current or prospective customers, suppliers vendors or other third parties with which such entity does business; (ii) the grantee’s commission of (A) a felony or (B) any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud; (iii) the grantee’s failure to perform his assigned duties and responsibilities to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company which failure continues, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, after written notice given to the grantee by the Company; (iv) the grantee’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or insubordination with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; or (v) the grantee’s material violation of any provision of any agreement(s) between the grantee and the Company relating to noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure and/or assignment of inventions.

 

“Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or, if there is no Chief Executive Officer, then the President of the Company.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

 

“Committee” means the Committee of the Board referred to in Section 2.

 

“Consultant” means any entity or natural person that provides bona fide services to the Company (including a Subsidiary), and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

 

“Disability” means such condition which renders a Person (A) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expect to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, (B) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company, (C) determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration, or (D) determined to be disabled under a disability insurance program which provides for a definition of disability that meets the requirements of this section.

 

 

 

 

“Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is adopted as set forth in this Plan.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

“Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Committee based on the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method that is consistent with Section 409A of the Code. If the Stock is admitted to trade on a national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to the closing price reported on such exchange. If there is no closing price for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there is a closing price. If the date for which Fair Market Value is determined is the first day when trading prices for the Stock are reported on a national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the “Price to the Public” (or equivalent).

 

“Good Reason” shall have the meaning as set forth in the Award Agreement(s). In the case that any Award Agreement does not contain a definition of “Good Reason,” it shall mean (i) a material diminution in the grantee’s base salary except for across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all or substantially all similarly situated employees of the Company or (ii) a change of more than 100 miles in the geographic location at which the grantee provides services to the Company, so long as the grantee provides at least 90 days’ notice to the Company following the initial occurrence of any such event and the Company fails to cure such event within 30 days thereafter.

 

“Grant Date” means the date that the Committee designates in its approval of an Award in accordance with applicable law as the date on which the Award is granted, which date may not precede the date of such Committee approval.

 

“Holder” means, with respect to an Award or any Shares, the Person holding such Award or Shares, including the initial recipient of the Award or any Permitted Transferee.

 

“Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

“Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.

 

“Permitted Transferees” shall mean any of the following to whom a Holder may transfer Shares hereunder (as set forth in Section 9(a)(ii)(A)): the Holder’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, step-parent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Holder’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons have more than fifty percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons own more than fifty percent of the voting interests; provided, however, that any such trust does not require or permit distribution of any Shares during the term of the Award Agreement unless subject to its terms. Upon the death of the Holder, the term Permitted Transferees shall also include such deceased Holder’s estate, executors, administrators, personal representatives, heirs, legatees and distributees, as the case may be.

 

“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership (limited or general), limited liability company, limited liability partnership, association, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or any similar entity.

 

“Restricted Stock Award” means Awards granted pursuant to Section 7 and “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to such Awards.

 

 

 

 

“Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award of phantom stock units to a grantee, which may be settled in cash or Shares as determined by the Committee, pursuant to Section 8.

 

“Sale Event” means the consummation of i) a change in the ownership of the Company, ii) a change in effective control of the Company, or iii) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company. The occurrence of a Sale Event shall be acknowledged by the plan administrator or board of directors, by strictly applying these provisions without any discretion to deviate from the objective application of the definitions provided herein. ; provided, however, that any capital raising event, or a merger effected solely to change the Company’s domicile shall not constitute a “Sale Event.”

 

Except as otherwise provided herein, a change in the ownership of the Company occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. However, if any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the Company (or to cause a change in the effective control of the Company). An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the corporation acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this section. This section applies only when there is a transfer of stock of the Company (or issuance of stock) which remains outstanding after the transaction.

 

A change in the effective control of the Company occurs only on either of the following dates: (1) The date any one person, or more than one person acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30 percent or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; (2) The date a majority of members of the Company’s board of directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors before the date of the appointment or election.

 

A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the 12- month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40 percent of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the corporation, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

“Service Relationship” means any relationship as a full-time employee, part-time employee, director or other key person (including Consultants) of the Company or any Subsidiary or any successor entity (e.g., a Service Relationship shall be deemed to continue without interruption in the event an individual’s status changes from full-time employee to part-time employee or Consultant).

 

“Shares” means shares of Stock.

 

“Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.

 

“Stock Appreciation Right” means any right to receive from the Company upon exercise by an optionee or settlement, in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof, the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise or settlement over (ii) the exercise price of the right on the date of grant, or if granted in connection with an Option, on the date of grant of the Option.

 

 

 

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has more than a 50 percent interest, either directly or indirectly.

 

“Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

“Termination Event” means the termination of the Award recipient’s Service Relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason whatsoever, regardless of the circumstances thereof, and including, without limitation, upon death, disability, retirement, discharge or resignation for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. The following shall not constitute a Termination Event: (i) a transfer to the service of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another Subsidiary or (ii) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Committee, if the individual’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing.

 

“Unrestricted Stock Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7 and “Unrestricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to such Awards.

 

SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; COMMITTEE AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS

 

(a) Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, comprised of not less than two directors. All references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the group then responsible for administration of the Plan at the relevant time (i.e., either the Board of Directors or a committee or committees of the Board, as applicable).

 

(b) Powers of Committee. The Committee shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

 

(i) to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

 

(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the amount, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;

 

(iii) to determine the number and types of Shares to be covered by any Award and, subject to the provisions of the Plan, the price, exercise price, conversion ratio or other price relating thereto;

 

(iv) to determine and, subject to Section 12, to modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the form of Award Agreements;

 

(v) to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;

 

(vi) to impose any limitations on Awards, including limitations on transfers, repurchase provisions and the like, and to exercise repurchase rights or obligations;

 

(vii) subject to Section 5(a)(ii) and any restrictions imposed by Section 409A, to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and

 

(viii) at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including Award Agreements); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

 

 

 

 

All decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and all Holders.

 

(c) Award Agreement. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award.

 

(d) Indemnification. Neither the Board nor the Committee, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Committee (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Company’s governing documents, including its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.

 

(e) Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and any Subsidiary operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries, if any, shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals, if any, outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Committee determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitation contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Committee determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals.

 

SECTION 3. STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS; SUBSTITUTION

 

(a) Stock Issuable. The maximum number of Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 1,500,000 Shares (the “Share Reserve”), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b) and the following sentence regarding the annual increase. In addition, the Share Reserve will automatically increase on January 1st of each year, for a period of not more than nine years, commencing on January 1, 2021 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2029, in an amount equal to 233,968 shares (which is the equivalent of 4% of the 5,849,207 shares of Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2019). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the Share Reserve for such year or that the increase in the Share Reserve for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. If a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), the Shares subject to such Stock Award, to the extent of any such expiration, termination or settlement, will again be available for issuance under the Plan. If any shares of Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Stock Award or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will again become available for issuance under the Plan. For purposes of this limitation, the Shares underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled, reacquired by the Company prior to vesting, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, Shares may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award, and no more than 200,000 Shares may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options. The value of any Shares granted to a non-employee director of the Company, when added to any annual cash payments or awards, shall not exceed an aggregate value of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in any calendar year.

 

 

 

 

(b) Changes in Stock. Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company’s capital stock, the outstanding Shares are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional Shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such Shares or other securities, in each case, without the receipt of consideration by the Company, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding Shares are converted into or exchanged for other securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Committee shall make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, (ii) the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per Share subject to each outstanding Award, and (iv) the exercise price for each Share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options) as to which such Stock Options remain exercisable. The Committee shall in any event make such adjustments as may be required by the laws of Nevada and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The adjustment by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional Shares shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Committee in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

 

(c) Sale Events.

 

(i) Options.

 

(A) In the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, the Plan and all outstanding Options and SARs issued hereunder shall become one hundred percent (100%) vested upon the effective time of any such Sale Event. New stock options or other awards of the successor entity or parent thereof shall be substituted therefor, with an equitable or proportionate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder and/or pursuant to the terms of any Award Agreement).

 

(B) In the event of the termination of the Plan and all outstanding Options and SARs issued hereunder pursuant to Section 3(c), each Holder of Options shall be permitted, within a period of time prior to the consummation of the Sale Event as specified by the Committee, to exercise all such Options or SARs which are then exercisable or will become exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event; provided, however, that the exercise of Options not exercisable prior to the Sale Event shall be subject to the consummation of the Sale Event.

 

(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3(c)(i)(A), in the event of a Sale Event, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make or provide for a cash payment to the Holders of Options, without any consent of the Holders, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A) the value as determined by the Committee of the consideration payable per share of Stock pursuant to the Sale Event (the “Sale Price”) times the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options being cancelled (to the extent then vested and exercisable, including by reason of acceleration in connection with such Sale Event, at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding vested and exercisable Options.

 

(ii) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

 

(A) In the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, all unvested Restricted Stock and unvested Restricted Stock Unit Awards issued hereunder shall become one hundred percent (100%) vested, with an equitable or proportionate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares subject to such awards as such parties shall agree (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder and/or pursuant to the terms of any Award Agreement).

 

 

 

 

 

(B) Such Restricted Stock shall be repurchased from the Holder thereof at the then Fair Market Value of such shares, (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b)) for such Shares.

 

(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3(c)(ii)(A), in the event of a Sale Event, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make or provide for a cash payment to the Holders of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards, without consent of the Holders, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the Sale Price times the number of Shares subject to such Awards, to be paid at the time of such Sale Event or upon the later vesting of such Awards.

 

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY

 

Grantees under the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other employees, directors, Consultants and key persons of the Company and any Subsidiary who are selected from time to time by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that Awards shall be granted only to those individuals described in Rule 701(c) of the Securities Act.

 

SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS

 

Upon the grant of a Stock Option, the Company and the grantee shall enter into an Award Agreement. The terms and conditions of each such Award Agreement shall be determined by the Committee, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.

 

Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(a) Terms of Stock Options. The Committee in its discretion may grant Stock Options to those individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of Section 4. Stock Options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable.

 

(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Shares covered by a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the exercise price per share for the Shares covered by such Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date.

 

(ii) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years from the Grant Date. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the Grant Date.

 

(iii) Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable and/or vested at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Committee at or after the Grant Date. The Award Agreement may permit a grantee to exercise all or a portion of a Stock Option immediately at grant; provided that the Shares issued upon such exercise shall be subject to restrictions and a vesting schedule identical to the vesting schedule of the related Stock Option, such Shares shall be deemed to be Restricted Stock for purposes of the Plan, and the optionee may be required to enter into an additional or new Award Agreement as a condition to exercise of such Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to Shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options. An optionee shall not be deemed to have acquired any Shares unless and until a Stock Option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement and this Plan and the optionee’s name has been entered on the books of the Company as a stockholder.

 

(iv) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised by an optionee in whole or in part, by the optionee giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods (or any combination thereof) to the extent provided in the Award Agreement:

 

 

 

 

(A) In cash, by certified or bank check, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, or other instrument acceptable to the Committee;

 

(B) If permitted by the Committee, by the optionee delivering to the Company a promissory note, if the Board has expressly authorized the loan of funds to the optionee for the purpose of enabling or assisting the optionee to effect the exercise of his or her Stock Option; provided, that at least so much of the exercise price as represents the par value of the Stock shall be paid in cash if required by state law;

 

(C) If permitted by the Committee, through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of Shares that have been purchased by the optionee on the open market or that are beneficially owned by the optionee and are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan. To the extent required to avoid variable accounting treatment under applicable accounting rules, such surrendered Shares if originally purchased from the Company shall have been owned by the optionee for at least six months. Such surrendered Shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date;

 

(D) If permitted by the Committee and by the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or

 

(E) If permitted by the Committee, and only with respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of Shares issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of Shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.

 

Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. No certificates for Shares so purchased will be issued to the optionee or, with respect to uncertificated Stock, no transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company will take place, until the Company has completed all steps it has deemed necessary to satisfy legal requirements relating to the issuance and sale of the Shares, which steps may include, without limitation, (i) receipt of a representation from the optionee at the time of exercise of the Option that the optionee is purchasing the Shares for the optionee’s own account and not with a view to any sale or distribution of the Shares or other representations relating to compliance with applicable law governing the issuance of securities, (ii) the legending of the certificate (or notation on any book entry) representing the Shares to evidence the foregoing restrictions, and (iii) obtaining from optionee payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the exercise of the Option. The delivery of certificates representing the shares of Stock (or the transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company with respect to uncertificated Stock) to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon (A) receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his or her stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such Shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws and (B) if required by the Company, the optionee shall have entered into any stockholders agreements or other agreements with the Company and/or certain other of the Company’s stockholders relating to the Stock. In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned Shares through the attestation method, the number of Shares transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of Shares attested to by the Optionee.

 

(b) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Grant Date) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and any Subsidiary that become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000 or such other limit as may be in effect from time to time under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

 

 

 

(c) Termination. Any portion of a Stock Option that is not vested and exercisable on the date of termination of an optionee’s Service Relationship shall immediately expire and be null and void. Once any portion of the Stock Option becomes vested and exercisable, the optionee’s right to exercise such portion of the Stock Option (or the optionee’s representatives and legatees as applicable) in the event of a termination of the optionee’s Service Relationship shall continue until the earliest of: (i) the date which is: (A) 12 months following the date on which the optionee’s Service Relationship terminates due to death or Disability (or such longer period of time as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement), or (B) three months following the date on which the optionee’s Service Relationship terminates if the termination is due to any reason other than death or Disability (or such longer period of time as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement), or (ii) the Expiration Date set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, an Award Agreement may provide that if the optionee’s Service Relationship is terminated for Cause, the Stock Option shall terminate immediately and be null and void upon the date of the optionee’s termination and shall not thereafter be exercisable.

 

SECTION 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to optionees with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions, in either case not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine –

 

(a) SARs may be granted under the Plan to optionees either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan and may, but need not, relate to specific Option granted under Section 5.

 

(b) The exercise price per Share under a SAR shall be determined by the Committee, provided, however, that except in the case of a substitute Award, such exercise price shall not be less than the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant of such SAR.

 

(c) The term of each SAR shall be fixed by the Committee but shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant of such SAR.

 

(d) The Committee shall determine the time or times at which a SAR may be exercised or settled in whole or in part. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or unless otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement, the provisions set forth in Section 5 above with respect to exercise of an Award following termination of service shall apply to any SAR. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that an “in-the-money” SAR shall be automatically exercised on its expiration date.

 

SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such other purchase price determined by the Committee) to an eligible individual under Section 4 hereof a Restricted Stock Award under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Award at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on the type of stock upon which restrictions are placed, continuing employment (or other Service Relationship), achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives and/or such other criteria as the Committee may determine. Upon the grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Company and the grantee shall enter into an Award Agreement. The terms and conditions of each such Award Agreement shall be determined by the Committee, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.

 

(b) Rights as a Stockholder. Upon the grant of the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee of Restricted Stock shall be considered the record owner of and shall be entitled to vote the Restricted Stock if, and to the extent, such Shares are entitled to voting rights, subject to such conditions contained in the Award Agreement. The grantee shall be entitled to receive all dividends and any other distributions declared on the Shares; provided, however, that the Company is under no duty to declare any such dividends or to make any such distribution. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Stock is vested as provided in subsection (d) below of this Section, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company a stock power endorsed in blank and such other instruments of transfer as the Committee may prescribe.

 

 

 

 

(c) Restrictions. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Award Agreement. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee either in the Award Agreement or, subject to Section 12 below, in writing after the Award Agreement is issued, if a grantee’s Service Relationship with the Company and any Subsidiary terminates, the Company or its assigns shall have the right, as may be specified in the relevant instrument, to repurchase some or all of the Shares subject to the Award at such purchase price as is set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

(d) Vesting of Restricted Stock. The Committee at the time of grant shall specify in the Award Agreement the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the substantial risk of forfeiture imposed shall lapse and the Restricted Stock shall become vested, subject to such further rights of the Company or its assigns as may be specified in the Award Agreement.

 

SECTION 8. UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such other purchase price determined by the Committee) to an eligible person under Section 4 hereof an Unrestricted Stock Award under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.

 

SECTION 9. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

 

(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant to an eligible person under Section 4 hereof Restricted Stock Units under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Unit at the time of grant. Vesting conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other Service Relationship), achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives which may be based on targets for revenue, revenue growth, EBITDA, net income, earnings per share and/or other such criteria as the Committee may determine. Upon the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the grantee and the Company shall enter into an Award Agreement. The terms and conditions of each such Award Agreement shall be determined by the Committee and may differ among individual Awards and grantees. On or promptly following the vesting date or dates applicable to any Restricted Stock Unit, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year in which such vesting occurs, such Restricted Stock Unit(s) shall be settled in the form of cash or shares of Stock, as specified in the Award Agreement. Restricted Stock Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of.

 

(b) Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to Shares, if any, acquired upon settlement of Restricted Stock Units. A grantee shall not be deemed to have acquired any such Shares unless and until the Restricted Stock Units shall have been settled in Shares pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the Award Agreement, the Company shall have issued and delivered a certificate representing the Shares to the grantee (or transferred on the records of the Company with respect to uncertificated stock), and the grantee’s name has been entered in the books of the Company as a stockholder.

 

(c) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee either in the Award Agreement or in writing after the Award Agreement is issued, a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s cessation of Service Relationship with the Company and any Subsidiary for any reason.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS; COMPANY RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL; COMPANY REPURCHASE RIGHTS

 

(a) Restrictions on Transfer.

 

(i) Non-Transferability of Stock Options. Restricted Stock awards granted under Section 7, Stock Options, SARs and, prior to exercise, the Shares issuable upon exercise of such Stock Option, shall not be transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will, or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee’s lifetime, only by the optionee, or by the optionee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the optionee’s incapacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement regarding a given Stock Option or Restricted Stock award that the optionee may transfer by gift, without consideration for the transfer, his or her Non-Qualified Stock Options to his or her family members (as defined in Rule 701 of the Securities Act), to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners (to the extent such trusts or partnerships are considered “family members” for purposes of Rule 701 of the Securities Act), provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, including the execution of a stock power upon the issuance of Shares. Stock Options, SARs and the Shares issuable upon exercise of such Stock Options, shall be restricted as to any pledge, hypothecation, or other transfer, including any short position, any “put equivalent position” (as defined in the Exchange Act) or any “call equivalent position” (as defined in the Exchange Act) prior to exercise.

 

(ii) Shares. No Shares shall be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, given away or in any other manner disposed of or encumbered, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, unless (i) the transfer is in compliance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, all applicable securities laws (including, without limitation, the Securities Act), and with the terms and conditions of this Section 9, (ii) the transfer does not cause the Company to become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and the transferee consents in writing to be bound by the provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement, including this Section 10. In connection with any proposed transfer, the Committee may require the transferor to provide at the transferor’s own expense an opinion of counsel to the transferor, satisfactory to the Committee, that such transfer is in compliance with all foreign, federal and state securities laws (including, without limitation, the Securities Act). Any attempted transfer of Shares not in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section 9 shall be null and void, and the Company shall not reflect on its records any change in record ownership of any Shares as a result of any such transfer, shall otherwise refuse to recognize any such transfer and shall not in any way give effect to any such transfer of Shares. The Company shall be entitled to seek protective orders, injunctive relief and other remedies available at law or in equity including, without limitation, seeking specific performance or the rescission of any transfer not made in strict compliance with the provisions of this Section 10. Subject to the foregoing general provisions, and unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, Shares may be transferred pursuant to the following specific terms and conditions (provided that with respect to any transfer of Restricted Stock, all vesting and forfeiture provisions shall continue to apply with respect to the original recipient):

 

(A) Transfers to Permitted Transferees. The Holder may transfer any or all of the Shares to one or more Permitted Transferees; provided, however, that following such transfer, such Shares shall continue to be subject to the terms of this Plan (including this Section 9) and such Permitted Transferee(s) shall, as a condition to any such transfer, deliver a written acknowledgment to that effect to the Company and shall deliver a stock power to the Company with respect to the Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder may not transfer any of the Shares to a Person whom the Company reasonably determines is a direct competitor or a potential competitor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(B) Transfers Upon Death. Upon the death of the Holder, any Shares then held by the Holder at the time of such death and any Shares acquired after the Holder’s death by the Holder’s legal representative shall be subject to the provisions of this Plan, and the Holder’s estate, executors, administrators, personal representatives, heirs, legatees and distributees shall be obligated to convey such Shares to the Company or its assigns under the terms contemplated by the Plan and the Award Agreement.

 

 

 

 

(b) Right of First Refusal. In the event that a Holder desires at any time to sell or otherwise transfer all or any part of his or her Shares (other than shares of Restricted Stock which by their terms are not transferrable), the Holder first shall give written notice to the Company of the Holder’s intention to make such transfer. Such notice shall state the number of Shares that the Holder proposes to sell (the “Offered Shares”), the price and the terms at which the proposed sale is to be made and the name and address of the proposed transferee. At any time within 30 days after the receipt of such notice by the Company, the Company or its assigns may elect to purchase all or any portion of the Offered Shares at the price and on the terms offered by the proposed transferee and specified in the notice. The Company or its assigns shall exercise this right by mailing or delivering written notice to the Holder within the foregoing 30-day period. If the Company or its assigns elect to exercise its purchase rights under this Section 9(b), the closing for such purchase shall, in any event, take place within 45 days after the receipt by the Company of the initial notice from the Holder. In the event that the Company or its assigns do not elect to exercise such purchase right, or in the event that the Company or its assigns do not pay the full purchase price within such 45-day period, the Holder shall be required to pay a transaction processing fee of $10,000 to the Company (unless waived by the Committee) and then may, within 60 days thereafter, sell the Offered Shares to the proposed transferee and at the same price and on the same terms as specified in the Holder’s notice. Any Shares not sold to the proposed transferee shall remain subject to the Plan. If the Holder is a party to any stockholders agreements or other agreements with the Company and/or certain other of the Company’s stockholders relating to the Shares, (i) the transferring Holder shall comply with the requirements of such stockholders agreements or other agreements relating to any proposed transfer of the Offered Shares, and (ii) any proposed transferee that purchases Offered Shares shall enter into such stockholders agreements or other agreements with the Company and/or certain of the Company’s stockholders relating to the Offered Shares on the same terms and in the same capacity as the transferring Holder.

 

(c) Company’s Right of Repurchase.

 

(i) Right of Repurchase for Unvested Shares Issued Upon the Exercise of an Option. Upon a Termination Event, the Company or its assigns shall have the right and option to repurchase from a Holder of Shares acquired upon exercise of a Stock Option which is still subject to a risk of forfeiture as of the Termination Event. Such repurchase rights may be exercised by the Company within the later of (A) six months following the date of such Termination Event or (B) seven months after the acquisition of Shares upon exercise of a Stock Option. The repurchase price shall be equal to the lower of the original per share price paid by the Holder, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b) of the Plan, or the current Fair Market Value of such Shares as of the date the Company elects to exercise its repurchase rights.

 

(ii) Right of Repurchase With Respect to Restricted Stock. Upon a Termination Event, the Company or its assigns shall have the right and option to repurchase from a Holder of Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award any Shares that are still subject to a risk of forfeiture as of the Termination Event. Such repurchase right may be exercised by the Company within six months following the date of such Termination Event. The repurchase price shall be the lower of the original per share purchase price paid by the Holder, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b) of the Plan, or the current Fair Market Value of such Shares as of the date the Company elects to exercise its repurchase rights.

 

(iii) Procedure. Any repurchase right of the Company shall be exercised by the Company or its assigns by giving the Holder written notice on or before the last day of the repurchase period of its intention to exercise such repurchase right. Upon such notification, the Holder shall promptly surrender to the Company, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances, any certificates representing the Shares being purchased, together with a duly executed stock power for the transfer of such Shares to the Company or the Company’s assignee or assignees. Upon the Company’s or its assignee’s receipt of the certificates from the Holder, the Company or its assignee or assignees shall deliver to him, her or them a check for the applicable repurchase price; provided, however, that the Company may pay the repurchase price by offsetting and canceling any indebtedness then owed by the Holder to the Company.

 

(d) Escrow Arrangement.

 

(i) Escrow. In order to carry out the provisions of this Section 9 of this Plan more effectively, the Company shall hold any Shares issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan in escrow together with separate stock powers executed by the Holder in blank for transfer. The Company shall not dispose of the Shares except as otherwise provided in this Plan. In the event of any repurchase by the Company (or any of its assigns), the Company is hereby authorized by the Holder, as the Holder’s attorney-in-fact, to date and complete the stock powers necessary for the transfer of the Shares being purchased and to transfer such Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. At such time as any Shares are no longer subject to the Company’s repurchase and first refusal rights, the Company shall, at the written request of the Holder, deliver to the Holder a certificate representing such Shares with the balance of the Shares to be held in escrow pursuant to this Section.

 

 

 

 

(ii) Remedy. Without limitation of any other provision of this Plan or other rights, in the event that a Holder or any other Person is required to sell a Holder’s Shares pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9(b) or (c) hereof and in the further event that he or she refuses or for any reason fails to deliver to the Company or its designated purchaser of such Shares the certificate or certificates evidencing such Shares together with a related stock power, the Company or such designated purchaser may deposit the applicable purchase price for such Shares with a bank designated by the Company, or with the Company’s independent public accounting firm, as agent or trustee, or in escrow, for such Holder or other Person, to be held by such bank or accounting firm for the benefit of and for delivery to him, her, them or it, and/or, in its discretion, pay such purchase price by offsetting any indebtedness then owed by such Holder as provided above. Upon any such deposit and/or offset by the Company or its designated purchaser of such amount and upon notice to the Person who was required to sell the Shares to be sold pursuant to the provisions of Sections 9(b) or (c), such Shares shall at such time be deemed to have been sold, assigned, transferred and conveyed to such purchaser, such Holder shall have no further rights thereto (other than the right to withdraw the payment thereof held in escrow, if applicable), and the Company shall record such transfer in its stock transfer book or in any appropriate manner.

 

(e) Lockup Provision. If requested by the Company, a Holder shall not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Shares (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act) held by him or her for such period following the effective date of a public offering by the Company of Shares as the Company shall specify reasonably and in good faith. If requested by the underwriter engaged by the Company, each Holder shall execute a separate letter confirming his or her agreement to comply with this Section.

 

(f) Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. If, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Common Stock, the outstanding Shares are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company, the restrictions contained in this Section 9 shall apply with equal force to additional and/or substitute securities, if any, received by Holder in exchange for, or by virtue of his or her ownership of, Shares.

 

(g) Termination. The terms and provisions of Section 9(b) and Section 9(c) (except for the Company’s right to repurchase Shares still subject to a risk of forfeiture upon a Termination Event) shall terminate upon consummation of any Sale Event, in either case as a result of which Shares are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and publicly-traded on any national security exchange.

 

SECTION 11. TAX WITHHOLDING

 

(a) Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Shares or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such income. The Company and any Subsidiary shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s obligation to deliver stock certificates (or evidence of book entry) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on any such tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

 

(b) Payment in Stock. The Company’s minimum required tax withholding obligation may be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the Company withholding from Shares to be issued pursuant to an Award a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount due.

 

SECTION 12. SECTION 409A AWARDS

 

To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as may be specified by the Committee from time to time. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to any grantee under the Plan or any other Person with respect to any penalties or taxes under Section 409A that are, or may be, imposed with respect to any Award. It is the intent of the Board that payments and benefits under the Plan comply with or be exempt from Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted the Plan shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith or exempt therefrom. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed upon a Participant by Section 409A or damages to a Participant for failing to comply with Section 409A.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

 

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Committee may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the consent of the holder of the Award. The Committee may exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or effect repricing through cancellation of outstanding Stock Options and by granting such holders new Awards in replacement of the cancelled Stock Options. To the extent determined by the Committee to be required either by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code or otherwise, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Nothing in this Section 12 shall limit the Board’s or Committee’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(c). The Board reserves the right to amend the Plan and/or the terms of any outstanding Stock Options to the extent reasonably necessary to comply with the requirements of the exemption pursuant to Rule 12h-1 of the Exchange Act.

 

SECTION 14. STATUS OF PLAN

 

With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Committee shall otherwise expressly so determine in connection with any Award.

 

SECTION 15. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a) No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements. The Committee may require each person acquiring Shares pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the Shares without a view to distribution thereof. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange or similar requirements have been satisfied. The Committee may require the placing of such stop-orders and restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards, as it deems appropriate.

 

(b) Delivery of Stock Certificates. Stock certificates to grantees under the Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company; provided that stock certificates to be held in escrow pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan shall be deemed delivered when the Company shall have recorded the issuance in its records. Uncertificated Stock shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book entry” records).

 

(c) No Employment Rights. The adoption of the Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any Person any right to continued employment or Service Relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(d) Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s insider trading policy-related restrictions, terms and conditions as may be established by the Committee, or in accordance with policies set by the Committee, from time to time.

 

(e) Designation of Beneficiary. Each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award on or after the grantee’s death or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Committee and shall not be effective until received by the Committee. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.

 

 

 

 

(f) Legend. Any certificate(s) representing the Shares shall carry substantially the following legend (and with respect to uncertificated Stock, the book entries evidencing such shares shall contain the following notation):

 

The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions (including repurchase and restrictions against transfers contained in the Plan and any agreements entered into thereunder by and between the company and the holder of this certificate (a copy of which is available at the offices of the company for examination).

 

(g) Information to Holders of Options. In the event the Company is relying on the exemption from the registration requirements of Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act contained in paragraph (f)(1) of Rule 12h-1 of the Exchange Act, the Company shall provide the information described in Rule 701(e)(3), (4) and (5) of the Securities Act to all holders of Options in accordance with the requirements thereunder. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Company shall not be required to provide such information unless the option holder has agreed in writing, on a form prescribed by the Company, to keep such information confidential.

 

SECTION 16. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

The Plan shall become effective upon adoption by the Board and shall be approved by stockholders in accordance with applicable state law and the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws within 12 months thereafter. If the stockholders fail to approve the Plan within 12 months after its adoption by the Board of Directors, then any Awards granted or sold under the Plan shall be rescinded and no additional grants or sales shall thereafter be made under the Plan. Subject to such approval by stockholders and to the requirement that no Shares may be issued hereunder prior to such approval, Stock Options and other Awards may be granted hereunder on and after adoption of the Plan by the Board. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders, whichever is earlier.

 

SECTION 17. GOVERNING LAW

 

This Plan, all Awards and any controversy arising out of or relating to this Plan and all Awards shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada as to matters within the scope thereof, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Nevada.

 

DATE ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: June 29, 2020

 

DATE ADOPTED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS:_______________________________                             .

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

170 PATER HOUSE, PSAILA ST

BIRKIRKARA BKR 9077 MALTA

 

 

   

 

 

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The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR”              
the following nominees:              
               
  For Against Abstain        
               
1. To approve the adoption of the Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan;        
               
               
               
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” proposal 1.              
               
               
               
2. To approve the adjournment of the special meeting to solicit additional proxies;        
               
               
               
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” proposal 2.              
               
               
               
For address change/comments, mark here.            
(see reverse for instructions)              
               
  Yes No          
               
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting          
               

  

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.  

 

             
               

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

   
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date       Signature (Joint Owners) Date  

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting:

 

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ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

Special Meeting of Shareholders

August 13, 2020 10:00 AM

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Grant Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., as Proxy with full power of substitution to vote all the shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on August 13, 2020, at 10:00 A.M. EST at 101 S Wood Ave, Iselin, NJ 08830, or at any postponement or adjournment thereof, and upon any and all matters which may properly be brought before the Special Meeting or any postponement or adjournments thereof, hereby revoking all former proxies.

 

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.

 

 

Address change/comments:  

 

     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

(If you noted any Address Changes and/or Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

 

Continued and to be signed on reverse side