Item 1.01. Entry into A Material Definitive Agreement.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On September 2, 2022, GLP Capital, L.P. (“GLP”), the operating partnership of Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (“GLPI”), entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“Term Loan Agent”), and the other agents and lenders party thereto from time to time, providing for a $600 million delayed draw credit facility with a maturity date of September 2, 2027 (the “Term Loan Credit Facility”). The Term Loan Credit Facility is guaranteed by GLPI.
The availability of loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, and the receipt by Term Loan Agent of a conditional guarantee of the Term Loan Credit Facility by Bally’s Corporation (“Bally’s”) on a secondary basis, subject to enforcement of all remedies against GLP, GLPI and all sources other than Bally’s. The loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility may be used solely to finance a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of one or more specified properties of Bally’s in one or a series of related transactions (the “Acquisition”) and to pay fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Subject to customary conditions, including pro forma compliance with financial covenants, GLP can obtain additional term loan commitments and incur incremental term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all term loans outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Facility does not exceed $1.2 billion plus up to $60 million of transaction fees and costs incurred in connection with the Acquisition. There is currently no commitment in respect of such incremental loans and commitments.
Interest Rate and Fees
The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility are, at GLP’s option, equal to either a SOFR-based rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.85% to 1.7% per annum for SOFR loans and 0.0% to 0.7% per annum for base rate loans, in each case, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Term Loan Credit Facility. The current applicable margin is 1.30% for SOFR loans and 0.30% for base rate loans. In addition, GLP will pay a commitment fee on the unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility at a rate that ranges from 0.125% to 0.3% per annum, depending on the credit ratings assigned to the Credit Facility from time to time. The current commitment fee rate is 0.25%.
Amortization and Prepayments
The Term Loan Credit Facility is not subject to interim amortization. GLP is required to prepay outstanding term loans with 100% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance of other debt that is unconditionally guaranteed by GLPI and conditionally guaranteed by Bally’s (“Alternative Acquisition Debt”) that are received by GLPI, GLP or any of their subsidiaries after the funding date of the Term Loan Facility (other than any incremental term loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility (as defined below)) except to the extent such net cash proceeds are applied to repaying outstanding loans under the Bridge Revolving Facility. GLP is not otherwise required to repay any loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity. GLP may prepay all or any portion of the loans under the Term Loan Credit Facility prior to maturity without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of any SOFR breakage costs of the lenders and may reborrow loans that it has repaid. Unused commitments under the Term Loan Credit Facility automatically terminate on August 31, 2023.
Certain Covenants and Events of Default
The Term Loan Credit Facility contains customary covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of GLPI and its subsidiaries, including GLP, to grant liens on their assets, incur indebtedness, sell assets, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, or pay certain dividends and make other restricted payments. The financial covenants include the following, which are measured quarterly on a trailing four-quarter basis: (i) maximum total debt to total asset value ratio, (ii) maximum senior secured debt to total asset value ratio, (iii) maximum ratio of certain recourse debt to unencumbered asset value, and (iv) minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. GLPI is required to maintain its status as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and is permitted to pay dividends to its shareholders as may be required in order to maintain REIT status. GLPI is also permitted to make other dividends