Transferability –Common Stock and stock options, prior to their exercise, and the shares issuable upon exercise of such awards granted under the 2017 Plan generally are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Administration - The Board will initially administer the 2017 Plan. The Board, in the future, may appoint the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) to administer the 2017 Plan at such time as the directors comprising the Compensation Committee are prepared to administer the 2017 Plan.
Amendments - The Board may, at any time, suspend or terminate the 2017 Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever; provided, however, that shareholder approval shall be required if and to the extent required by Exchange Act Rule 16b-3 or by any comparable or successor exemption under which the Board believes it is appropriate for the 2017 Plan to qualify, or but may not, without the approval of a majority of those holders of the Company's Common Stock voting in person or by proxy, make any alteration or amendment thereof which operates to make any material change in the class of eligible or any applicable rule or listing standard of any stock exchange, automated quotation system or similar organization. Nothing in the 2017 Plan restricts the Board’s ability to exercise its discretionary authority to administer the 2017 Plan, which discretion may be exercised without amendment to the 2017 Plan.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC. 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
ACTION IV
PROPOSAL TO AMEND AND RESTATE OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Our current Articles of Incorporation do not currently include certain provisions that are commonly included in charters for public companies incorporated in Nevada, such as the ability to take action by a majority written consent of the shareholders in lieu of a meeting of the shareholders. Additionally, our Articles of Incorporation do not include the designation of blank check preferred stock and our Board wishes to provide for such class of securities in
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the Articles of Incorporation to allow the Board the flexibility to pursue transactions that may require the issuance of preferred stock without having to go back to the shareholders and cause delays that could derail those transactions.
On February 28, 2019, our board of directors approved the amendment and restatement of our Articles of Incorporation to make the changes described below. Pursuant to the NRS, the amendment and restatement of our Articles of Incorporation is required to be approved by a majority of the holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding voting securities, and pursuant to our current Articles of Incorporation, this action must be taken at a general or special meeting of the Company’s shareholders.
Text of the Amended and Restated Articles
The full text of the proposed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, which we refer to herein as the Amended and Restated Articles, is set forth in Appendix B to this proxy statement. This general description of the Amended and Restated Articles is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the proposed Amended and Restated Articles.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
The proposed Amended and Restated Articles will contain provisions for limiting liability of our directors and officers under certain circumstances and for requiring indemnification of directors, officers and certain other persons, to the maximum extent permitted by the NRS. The inclusion of these provisions could operate to the potential disadvantage of our shareholders. For example, their inclusion may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of our recovering monetary damages from directors and officers as a result of derivative litigation against directors for breach of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our shareholders. In addition, as a result of the limitation of liability provision, our shareholders would forego potential causes of action for breach of duty of care involving grossly negligent business decisions, including those relating to attempts to a change control.
Our current Bylaws include provisions allowing us to indemnify our directors, officers and certain other persons in certain circumstances. However, our Bylaws may be amended by the vote of either our board of directors or our shareholders. If we adopt these provisions in our Amended and Restated Articles, these provisions may only be amended by the vote of both the board of directors and our shareholders. Therefore, the future amendment of such provisions as part of our Articles of Incorporation will be more difficult to achieve.
Further, under the proposed Amended and Restated Articles with respect to the limitation of liability of our directors and officers or indemnification of our directors, officers and such other persons, neither any amendment or repeal of these provisions nor the adoption of any inconsistent provision of our Articles of Incorporation, will adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer existing prior to the date when such repeal or modification becomes effective.
The Amended and Restated Articles include provisions for limiting liability of our directors and officers under certain circumstances and for requiring us to indemnify directors, officers and certain other persons, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Nevada law, including that:
“[T]o the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the officers and directors of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer; provided, however, this limitation on personal liability shall not apply to acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud, knowing violation of law, or unlawful distribution prohibited by Section 78.300 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.”
The members of our Board of Directors and our officers have a personal interest in seeing that the limitation on liability and indemnification provisions are included as a part of the proposed Amended and Restated Articles.
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers
Article IX of the proposed Amended and Restated Articles limits the liability of our directors and officers under certain circumstances. Article IX provides that no director or officer shall be liable to us or our shareholders for any damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, provided that the foregoing clause shall not apply to acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law or, unlawful distribution in violation of the NRS. If the NRS are amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of a director or officer, then the liability of a director or officer to us will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by such amendments.
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Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Certain Other Persons
Article IX of the proposed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will require us to indemnify our directors, officers and such other persons to the fullest extent permitted under Nevada law. Our current Bylaws include provisions for the indemnification of our directors, officers and certain other persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Nevada law.
Section 78.7502 of the NRS permits a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers and certain other persons, as follows:
1. A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person:
(a) Is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or
(b) Acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful.
The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful.
2. A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if the person:
(a) Is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or
(b) Acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.
3. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections 1 and 2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation shall indemnify him or her against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense.
In addition, Section 78.751 of the NRS permits a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers and certain other persons, as follows:
1. Any discretionary indemnification pursuant to NRS 78.7502, unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to subsection 2, may be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances. The determination must be made:
(a) By the shareholders;
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(b) By the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding;
(c) If a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or
(d) If a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
2. The articles of incorporation, the bylaws or an agreement made by the corporation may provide that the expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The provisions of this subsection do not affect any rights to advancement of expenses to which corporate personnel other than directors or officers may be entitled under any contract or otherwise by law.
3. The indemnification pursuant to NRS 78.7502 and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to this section:
(a) Does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in the person’s official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to NRS 78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses made pursuant to subsection 2, may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final adjudication establishes that the director’s or officer’s acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law and was material to the cause of action. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the articles of incorporation or any bylaw is not eliminated or impaired by an amendment to such provision after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.
(b) Continues for a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and inures to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Effect of Future Amendments to or Repeal of Articles of Incorporation
Under the proposed Amended and Restated Articles with respect to the limitation of liability of our directors and officers or indemnification of our directors, officers and certain other persons, any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions will not adversely affect any right or protection of a director existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
Summary of Other Changes
The most significant changes that would result from the adoption of the Amended and Restated Articles, and the reasons our Board is recommending such changes are set forth below.
Corporate Purpose. Although not required under the NRS, corporations generally list a business purpose in their charters. Our board of directors believes that the Amended and Restated Articles should clarify that we may engage in any lawful activity for which a corporation may be organized under the NRS.
Inclusion of and Description of Blank Check Preferred Authority. Our current Articles of Incorporation does not grant our board of directors the authority to issue shares of “blank check” preferred stock in one or more series. Further, it does not authorize our board of directors to fix the number of shares of any series of preferred stock, to determine the designation of any such shares and to determine or alter the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series (but not below the number of shares in such series then outstanding).
It is common practice for corporations to include more detailed descriptions of the terms of blank check preferred stock that may be fixed by their boards of directors. Our Board believes the Amended and Restated Articles should include a series of stock that is designated as “blank check preferred” the terms of which may be fixed by the Board in its discretion, including voting rights, dividends, redemption provisions, sinking fund provisions, rights upon
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liquidation, the ability to convert into other securities, and other rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions as the Board deems advisable and not inconsistent with the Amended and Restated Articles or the NRS.
The Board and the holder of 57% of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock have determined that having “blank check” preferred stock would facilitate corporate financing and other plans of the Company, which are intended to foster its growth and flexibility. After the effective date of the Amended and Restated Articles, the blank check preferred stock could be issued by the Board without further shareholder approval, in one or more series, and with such dividend rates and rights, liquidation preferences, voting rights, conversion rights, rights and terms of redemption and other rights, preferences, and privileges as determined by the Board. That is the reason the preferred stock is referred to as “blank check preferred stock.” The Board believes that the complexity of modern business financing and possible future transactions require greater flexibility in the Company's capital structure than currently exists. The Board is permitted to issue preferred stock from time to time for any proper corporate purpose, including acquisitions of other businesses or properties and the raising of additional capital. Shares of preferred stock could be issued publicly or privately, in one or more series that could rank senior to our Common Stock with respect to dividends and liquidation rights.
There are no present plans, understandings or agreements for, and the Company is not engaged in any negotiations that will involve the issuance of preferred stock.
Even though not intended by the Board, the possible overall effect of the existence of preferred stock on the holders of Common Stock may include the dilution of their ownership interests in the Company, the continuation of the current management of Company, prevention of mergers with or business combinations by the Company and the discouragement of possible tender offers for shares of Common Stock. Upon the conversion into Common Stock of shares of the Company preferred stock issued with conversion rights, if any, the Common Stock holders’ voting power and percentage ownership of the Company would be diluted and such issuances could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Common Stock. Additionally, the issuance of shares of preferred stock with certain rights, preferences and privileges senior to those held by the Common Stock could diminish the Common Stock holders’ rights to receive dividends if declared by the Board and to receive payments upon the liquidation of the Company.
If shares of preferred stock are issued, approval by holders of such shares, voting as a separate class, could be required prior to certain mergers with or business combinations by the Company. These factors could discourage attempts to purchase control of the Company even if such change in control may be beneficial to the Common Stock holders. Moreover, the issuance of the preferred stock having general voting rights together with the Common Stock to persons friendly to the Board could make it more difficult to remove incumbent management and directors from office even if such changes would be favorable to shareholders generally.
If shares of preferred stock are issued with conversion rights, the attractiveness of the Company to a potential tender offeror for the Common Stock may be diminished. The purchase of the additional shares of Common Stock or preferred stock necessary to gain control of the Company may increase the cost to a potential tender offeror and prevent the tender offer from being made even though such offer may have been desirable to many of the Common Stock holders.
The ability of the Board, without any additional shareholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock with such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as determined by the Board could be employed as an anti-takeover device. The amendment is not presently intended for that purpose and is not proposed in response to any specific takeover threat known to the Board. Furthermore, this proposal is not part of any plan by the Board to adopt anti-takeover devices and the Board currently has no present intention of proposing anti-takeover measures in the near future. In addition, any such issuance of preferred stock in the takeover context would be subject to compliance by the Board with applicable principles of fiduciary duty.
The Board believes that the financial flexibility offered by the preferred stock outweighs any of its disadvantages. To the extent the proposal may have anti-takeover effects, the proposal may encourage persons seeking to acquire the Company to negotiate directly with the Board, enabling the Board to consider the proposed transaction in a non-disruptive atmosphere and to discharge effectively its obligation to act on the proposed transaction in a manner that best serves all the shareholders' interests. It is also the Board's view that the existence of preferred stock should not discourage anyone from proposing a merger or other transaction at a price reflective of the true value of the Company and which is in the interests of its shareholders.
Amendment of Charter. Consistent with the NRS, the Amended and Restated Articles clarify that all rights, preferences and privileges of shareholders, directors and other persons conferred by our Articles of Incorporation are subject to our right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision in the Articles of Incorporation and add or insert
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any other provision authorized by the NRS. Additionally, the right of shareholders to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles by a written consent in lieu of a meeting has been added.
Perpetual Existence. The Amended and Restated Articles also add a provision to clarify that Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. has a perpetual existence, consistent with common practice.
Effect of the Amendment
If the shareholders approve the Amended and Restated Articles, the Amended and Restated Articles will become effective on the date they are filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada, or such later date as is specified in the filing. We expect the Amended and Restated Articles to become effective as soon as practicable following the Meeting.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on such amendment and restatement is required for the approval of the proposed amendment and restatement of our Articles of Incorporation.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDED AND RESTATED OF OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. PROPERLY AUTHORIZED PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT UNLESS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE GIVEN.
GENERAL
The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of our Board of Directors, whose Notice of Meeting is attached to this proxy statement, and the entire cost of such solicitation will be borne by us. Our officers and selected employees may solicit proxies from shareholders. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone and telegram by our directors, officers and other employees who will not be specially compensated for these services. We will also request that brokers, nominees, custodians and other fiduciaries forward soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such brokers, nominees, custodians and other fiduciaries. We will reimburse such persons for their reasonable expenses in connection therewith
Certain information contained in this proxy statement relating to the occupations and security holdings of our directors and officers is based upon information received from the individual directors and officers.
SHAREHOLDERS’ PROPOSALS
Pursuant to our Bylaws, our shareholders may propose business to be brought at the Meeting.
HOUSEHOLDING OF SPECIAL MEETING MATERIALS
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements. This means that only one (1) copy of our proxy statement may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of our proxy statement to you if you call or write us at the following address or phone number: Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., 170 Pater House, Psaila Street, Birkirkara, Malta, BKR 9077, 268-562-9111. If you want to receive separate copies of the proxy statement (and any other documents sent therewith) in the future or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one (1) copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holders, or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.
OTHER MATTERS
Our board is not aware of any matter to be presented for action at the Meeting other than the matters referred to above and does not intend to bring any other matters before the Meeting. However, if other matters should come before the Meeting, it is intended that holders of the proxies will vote thereon in their discretion.
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WE WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF OUR SEC REPORTS TO EACH OF OUR SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD ON THE RECORD DATE AND TO EACH BENEFICIAL SHAREHOLDER ON THAT DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST MADE TO OUR SECRETARY. A REASONABLE FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR COPIES OF REQUESTED EXHIBITS.
WHERE YOU CAN OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Information Statement should be read in conjunction with certain reports that we previously filed with the SEC. The Company files reports and other information including annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q with the SEC. Reports and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained at the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of such material can be obtained upon written request addressed to the SEC, Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The SEC maintains a web site on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (also known as “EDGAR”). Copies of such filings may also be obtained by writing to the Company at 170 Pater House, Psaila Street, Birkirkara, Malta, BKR 9077.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Information Statement and the documents to which we refer you in this Information Statement may contain forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties which may be difficult to predict. The statements contained in this Information Statement that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, the management of the Company and the Company’s expectations, beliefs, strategies, objectives, plans, intentions and similar matters. All forward-looking statements included in this Information Statement are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “outlook,” “continue,” “preliminary,” “guidance,” or variations of such words, similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results or events may differ materially from those projected or implied in those statements.
We caution against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which contemplate our current beliefs and are based on information currently available to us as of the date a particular forward-looking statement is made. Any and all such forward-looking statements are as of the date of this Information Statement. We undertake no obligation to revise such forward-looking statements to accommodate future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, except as required by law. In the event that we do update any forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to that particular forward-looking statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements. Any corrections or revisions and other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements may appear in the Company’s public filings with the SEC, which are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. For additional information, please see the section titled “Where You Can Obtain Additional Information” above.
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE OR VOTE VIA TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET. A PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR PROXY CARD WILL BE APPRECIATED AS IT WILL SAVE THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER MAILINGS.
| |
| By Order of the Board of Directors |
| |
April 5, 2019 | /s/ Grant Johnson |
| Grant Johnson |
| Chief Executive Officer |
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Appendix A
ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Purpose. This is intended to advance the interests of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (the "Company") and its shareholders, by encouraging and enabling selected officers, directors, consultants and key employees upon whose judgment, initiative and effort the Company is largely dependent for the successful conduct of its business, to acquire and retain a proprietary interest in the Company by ownership of its stock.
Definitions.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Bonus Shares" shall mean the shares of Common Stock of the Company issued to a Recipient pursuant to this Plan.
"Committee" means the directors duly appointed to administer the Plan.
"Common Stock" means the Company's Common Stock.
"Date of Grant" means the date on which an Option or Stock Bonus is granted under the Plan.
"Option" means an Option granted under the Plan.
"Optionee" means a person to whom an Option, which has not expired, has been granted under the Plan.
"Recipient" shall mean any individual rendering services for the Company to whom shares are granted pursuant to this Plan.
"Successor" means the legal representative of the estate of a deceased Optionee or the person or persons who acquire the right to exercise an Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of any Optionee.
Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Company's Board of Directors or in the alternative, by a committee of two or more directors appointed by the Board (the "Committee"). If a Committee should be appointed, the Committee shall report all action taken by it to the Board. The Committee shall have full and final authority in its discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to determine the individuals to whom and the number of Options or Bonus Shares which will be granted; to construe and interpret the Plan; to establish any vesting provisions for Options or Bonus Shares, to determine the terms and provisions of each Option (which need not be identical), including, but without limitation, terms covering the payment of the Option Price; and to make all other determinations and take all other actions deemed necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. For purposes of this Plan, vesting means the period during which the Recipient must remain an employee, provide services for the Company or otherwise satisfy any other conditions specified by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Bonus Shares. All such actions and determinations shall be conclusively binding for all purposes and upon all persons.
Common Stock Subject to Plan. The aggregate number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed 2,500,000 (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand) of which any number may be used for Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options or Stock Bonuses. The shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares, shares issued and reacquired by the Company or shares bought on the market for the purposes of the Plan. In the event any Option shall, for any reason, terminate or expire or be surrendered without having been exercised in full, the shares subject to such Option but not purchased thereunder shall again be available for Options to be
granted under the Plan. In the event any Bonus Shares shall be cancelled, due to any forfeiture or vesting provisions, the Bonus Shares subject to such grant shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.
Incentive Stock Options.
Participants. Options will be granted only to persons who are employees of the Company or subsidiaries of the Company and only in connection with any such person's employment. The term "employees" shall include officers as well as other employees, and the officers and other employees who are directors of the Company. The Committee will determine the employees to be granted options and the number of shares subject to each option.
Option Price. The purchase price of each option shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock at the time of the granting of the option provided, however, if the Optionee, at the time the option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the purchase price of the option shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the stock at the time of the granting of the option.
Period of Option. The maximum period for exercising an option shall be 10 years from the date upon which the option is granted, provided, however, if the Optionee, at the time the option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the maximum period for exercising an option shall be five years from the date upon which the option is granted and provided further, however, that these periods may be shortened in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 7 below.
Subject to the foregoing, the period during which each option may be exercised, and the expiration date of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee.
If an Optionee shall cease to be employed by the Company due to disability, as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, he may, but only within the one year next succeeding such cessation of employment, exercise his option to the extent that he was entitled to exercise it on the date of such cessation. The Plan will not confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company, nor will it interfere in any way with his right, or his employer's right, to terminate his employment at any time.
Vesting of Shareholder Rights. Neither an Optionee nor his successor shall have any rights as a shareholder of the Company until the certificates evidencing the shares purchased are properly delivered to such Optionee or his successor.
Exercise of Option. Each Option shall be exercisable from time to time during a period (or periods) determined by the Committee and ending upon the expiration or termination of the Option; provided, however, the Committee may, by the provisions of any Option Agreement, limit the number of shares purchasable thereunder in any period or periods of time during which the Option is exercisable. An Option shall not be exercisable in whole or in part prior to the date of shareholder approval of the Plan.
Nontransferability of Option. No Option shall be transferable or assignable by an Optionee, otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each Option shall be exercisable, during the Optionee's lifetime, only by him. No Option shall be pledged or hypothecated in any way and no Option shall be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process except with the express consent of the Committee.
Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee while in the employ of the Company, the option theretofore granted to him shall be exercisable only within the three months succeeding such death and then only (i) by the person or persons to whom the Optionee's rights under the option shall pass by the Optionee's will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and (ii) if and to the extent that he was entitled to exercise the option at the date of his death.
Assumed Options. In connection with any transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code is applicable, options may be granted pursuant hereto in substitution of existing options or existing options may be assumed as prescribed by that Section and any regulations issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, options granted pursuant to this Paragraph shall be at prices and shall contain such terms, provisions, and conditions as may be determined by the Committee and shall include such provisions and conditions as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.
(i). Certain Dispositions of Shares. Any options granted pursuant to this Plan shall be conditioned such that if, within the earlier of (i) the two-year period beginning on the date of grant of an option or (ii) the one-year period beginning on the date after which any share of stock is transferred to an individual pursuant to his exercise of an option, such an individual makes a disposition of such share of stock by way of sale, exchange, gift, transfer of legal title, or otherwise, such individual shall promptly report such disposition to the Company in writing and shall furnish to the Company such details concerning such disposition as the Company may reasonably request.
Non-Qualified Stock Options.
Participants. Options may be granted under the Plan to employees, directors and officers, and consultants or advisors to the Company (or the Company's subsidiaries), provided however that bona fide services shall be rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must not be in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction.
Option Price. The Option Price per share with respect to each Option shall be determined by the Committee.
Period of Option. The period during which each option may be exercised, and the expiration date of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, such expiration date shall not be more than ten years from the date of Grant.
Vesting of Shareholder Rights. Neither an Optionee nor his successor shall have any rights as a shareholder of the Company until the certificates evidencing the shares purchased are properly delivered to such Optionee or his successor.
Exercise of Option. Each Option shall be exercisable from time to time during a period (or periods) determined by the Committee and ending upon the expiration or termination of the Option; provided, however, the Committee may, by the provisions of any Option Agreement, limit the number of shares purchasable thereunder in any period or periods of time during which the Option is exercisable.
Nontransferabiltiv of Option. No Option shall be transferable or assignable by an Optionee, otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each Option shall be exercisable, during the Optionee's lifetime, only by him. No Option shall be pledged or hypothecated in any way and no Option shall be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process except with the express consent of the Committee.
Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee, an option theretofore granted to the Optionee shall be exercisable only (i) by the person or persons to whom the Optionee's rights under the option shall pass by the Optionee' s will or by the laws of descent and distribution; and (ii) if and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the option at the date of death.
Stock Bonus Awards.
Participants. Bonus Shares may be granted under the Plan to the Company's (or the Company's subsidiaries) employees, directors and officers, and consultants or advisors to the Company (or its subsidiaries), provided however that bona fide services shall be rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must not be in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction.
Grants. The Committee, in its sole discretion, is empowered to grant to an eligible Participant a number of Bonus Shares as it shall determine from time to time. Each grant of these Bonus Shares shall become vested according to a schedule to be established by the Committee directors at the time of the grant.
Reclassification, Consolidation, or Merger. In the event the shares of Common Stock of the Company should, as a result of a stock split or stock dividend, or combination of shares or any other change, or exchange for other securities by reclassification, reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or otherwise, be increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for, a different number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Company or of another corporation, the number of shares then remaining in the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such action, and the number of shares subject to any Option and the Option exercise price per share shall be proportionately adjusted by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive. If the Corporation is reorganized or consolidated or merged with another corporation, an Optionee granted an Option hereunder shall be entitled to receive Options covering shares of such reorganized, consolidated, or merged company in the same proportion, at an equivalent price, and subject to the same conditions. The new Option or assumption of the old Option shall not give Optionee additional benefits which he did not have under the old Option, or deprive him of benefits which he had under the old Option.
Restrictions on Issuing Shares. The exercise of each Option or the grant of any Bonus Shares shall be subject to the condition that if at any time the Company shall determine in its discretion that the satisfaction of withholding tax or other withholding liabilities, or that the listing, registration, or qualification of any shares otherwise deliverable upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or that the consent or approval of any regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, such exercise or the delivery or purchase of shares, then in any such event, such exercise or grant shall not be effective unless such withholding, listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.
Unless the shares of stock covered by the Plan have been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, each Optionee or Recipient shall, represent and agree, for himself and his transferees by will or the laws of descent and distribution, that all shares of stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option or received as Bonus Shares will be acquired for investment and not for resale or distribution. Upon the exercise of option, the person entitled to exercise the same shall, upon request of the Company, furnish evidence satisfactory to the Company (including a written and signed representation) to the effect that the shares of stock are being acquired in good faith for investment and not for resale or distribution. Furthermore, the Company may, if it deems appropriate, affix a legend to certificates representing shares of stock pursuant to the Plan indicating that such shares have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and may so notify the Company's transfer agent. Such shares may be disposed of by an Optionee in the following manner only: (1) pursuant to an effective registration statement covering such resale or reoffer, (2) pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration as indicated in a written opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company, or (3) in a transaction that meets all the requirements of Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. If shares of stock covered by the Plan have been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, no such restrictions on resale shall apply, except in the case of Optionees or Recipients who are directors, officers, or principal shareholders of the Company. Such persons may dispose of shares only by one of the three aforesaid methods.
Amendment, Suspension, and Termination of Plan. The Board of Directors may alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, but may not, without the approval of a majority of those holders of the Company's Common Stock voting in person or by proxy, make any alteration or amendment thereof which operates to make any material change in the class of eligible employees, extend the term of the Plan or the maximum option periods provided, decrease the minimum option price provided, except as provided Section 8, or materially increase the benefits accruing to employees participating under this Plan.
Unless the Plan shall theretofore have been terminated by the Board, the Plan shall terminate ten years after the adoption of the Plan. No Option or Bonus Shares may be granted during any suspension or after the termination of the Plan. No amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall, without an Optionee's
consent, alter or impair any of the rights or obligations under any Option theretofore granted to such Optionee under the Plan.
Limitations. Every right of action by any person receiving options pursuant to this Plan against any past, present or future member of the Board, or any officer or employee of the Company arising out of or in connection with this Plan shall, irrespective of the place where such action may be brought and irrespective of the place of residence of any such director, officer or employee cease and be barred by the expiration of one year from the date of the act or omission in respect of which such right of action arises.
Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada.
Expenses of Administration. All costs and expenses incurred in the operation and administration of this Plan shall be borne by the Company.
Appendix B
FORM OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.
ARTICLE I
NAME OF CORPORATION
The name of the Corporation is Esports Entertainment Group, Inc.
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE AND RESIDENT AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the state of Nevada is 1112 North Curry Street, Carson City, Nevada 89703 and the Corporation’s resident agent at such address is State Agent and Transfer Syndicate, Inc.
ARTICLE III
DURATION
The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.
ARTICLE IV
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be incorporated and organized under Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, and to do all other things incidental thereto which are not forbidden by law or by these Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE V
POWERS
The Corporation has been formed pursuant to Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. The powers of the Corporation shall be those powers granted under the Nevada Revised Statues, including Sections 78.060 and 78.070 thereof. In addition, the Corporation shall have the following specific powers:
(a) to elect or appoint officers and agents of the Corporation and to fix their compensation; (b) to act as an agent for any individual, association, partnership, corporation or other legal entity; (c) to receive, acquire, hold, exercise rights arising out of the ownership or possession of, sell, or otherwise dispose of, shares or other interests in, or obligations of, individuals, associations, partnerships, corporations, governments or other legal entities; (d) to receive, acquire, hold, pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose of shares of the Corporation in accordance with Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes; and (e) to make gifts or contributions for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific or educational purposes.
ARTICLE VI
CAPITAL STOCK
A. CLASSES OF STOCK
The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, Common Stock and blank check preferred stock. The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 510,000,000 shares. 500,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, par value of $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”). 10,000,000 shares shall be blank check preferred stock, par value of $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock” or “Blank Check Preferred Stock”).
B. ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Blank Check Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the Nevada Revised Statutes. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.
C. RIGHTS, PREFERENCES, PRIVILEGES AND RESTRICTIONS OF COMMON STOCK.
1. Dividend Rights. Subject to the prior or equal rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding having prior or equal rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.
2. Voting Rights. Each holder of the Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock standing in his, her or its name on the books of the Corporation.
3. Stock Rights and Options. The Corporation shall have the power to create and issue rights, warrants or options entitling the holders thereof to purchase from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, upon such terms and conditions and at such time and prices as the board of directors or a committee thereof may approve, which terms and conditions shall be incorporated in an instrument or instruments evidencing such rights, warrants or options. In the absence of fraud, the judgment of the board of directors or a committee thereof as to the adequacy of consideration for the issuance of such rights, warrants or options and the sufficiency thereof shall be conclusive.
ARTICLE VII
PLACE OF MEETINGS; CORPORATE BOOKS
Subject to the laws of the State of Nevada, the shareholders and the directors shall have power to hold their meetings and to maintain the books of the Corporation outside the state of Nevada, at such place or places as may from time to time be designated in the Corporation’s Bylaws or by appropriate resolution.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES
The provisions of these Articles of Incorporation may be amended, altered or repealed from time to time to the extent and in the manner prescribed by the laws of the state of Nevada, and additional provisions authorized by such laws as are then in force may be added. All rights herein conferred on the directors, officers and shareholders are granted subject to this reservation.
ARTICLE IX
LIMITED LIABILITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the officers and directors of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer; provided, however, this limitation on personal liability shall not apply to acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud, knowing violation of law, or unlawful distribution prohibited by Section 78.300 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.
Appendix C
ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC.
CERTIFICATE OF VALIDATION
________ __, 2019
This Certificate of Validation (this “Certificate”) is filed on behalf of ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Corporation”), pursuant to NRS Section 78.0296, which provides that, if a corporate act ratified or validated pursuant to NRS Section 78.0296 would have required any filing with the Nevada Secretary of State pursuant to NRS Chapter 78, or if such ratification or validation would cause any such filing to be inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, then the corporation shall make, amend or correct each such filing in accordance with NRS Chapter 78 (including NRS Section 78.0296), and that any such filing, amendment or correction must be accompanied by a certificate of validation indicating that the filing, amendment or correction is being made in connection with a ratification or validation of a corporate act in accordance with NRS Section 78.0296 and specifying the effective date and time of the filing, amendment or correction, which may be before the date and time of filing.
I, [_________________], [_______________] of the Corporation, hereby certify on behalf of the Corporation as follows:
1. This Certificate accompanies, and has been appended to, those certain Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Articles”), which are being concurrently filed on the date hereof with the Nevada Secretary of State in accordance with NRS Chapter 78.
2. The Articles are a filing, amendment or correction being made in connection with a ratification or validation of a corporate act in accordance with NRS Section 78.0296. Such ratification or validation was adopted and approved by unanimous written consent of the Corporation’s board of directors at a duly called teleconference meeting of the board of directors held on February __, 2019, and by the requisite majority of the Corporation’s shareholders entitled to vote at a duly called and held special meeting of stockholders held on ______________, 2019.
3. The effective date and time of the Articles is [___________], at 12:01 a.m. (_____Time).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate on behalf of the Corporation as of the date set forth above.
ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC.,
a Nevada corporation
By:__________________________
Name:
Title
The undersigned hereby certifies that the person named above is the duly elected, qualified and acting [__________] of the Corporation, and that the signature appearing above is his true and genuine signature.
____________________________
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