Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |
Merger Agreement
On June 24, 2019, Eldorado Resorts, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Eldorado”), Colt Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Eldorado (“Merger Sub”), and Caesars Entertainment Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Caesars”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Caesars, with Caesars continuing as the surviving corporation and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Eldorado (the “Merger”). In connection with the Merger, Eldorado will change its name to Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the aggregate consideration paid by Eldorado in respect of outstanding shares of common stock of Caesars (“Caesars Common Stock”) will be (a) an amount of cash equal to (i) the sum of (A) $8.40 plus (B) if the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), has not expired or been terminated by March 25, 2020, an amount equal to $0.003333 for each day (subject to certain exceptions described in the Merger Agreement) from March 25, 2020 until the closing date of the Merger (the “Closing Date”), multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Caesars Common Stock outstanding at the effective time of the Merger (the “Aggregate Cash Amount”) and (b) a number of shares of common stock of Eldorado (“Eldorado Common Stock”) equal to 0.0899 multiplied by the number of shares of Caesars Common Stock outstanding at the effective time of the Merger (the “Aggregate Eldorado Share Amount”). Each holder of shares of Caesars Common Stock will be entitled to elect to receive, for each share of Caesars Common Stock held by such holder, either an amount of cash or a number of shares of Eldorado Common Stock with value equal to the Per Share Amount. The “Per Share Amount” is equal to (a) (i) the Aggregate Cash Amount, plus (ii) the product of (A) 0.0899 and (B) the Eldorado Common Stock VWAP and (C) the number of shares of Caesars Common Stock outstanding at the effective time of the Merger, divided by (b) the number of shares of Caesars Common Stock outstanding at the effective time of the Merger. Elections are subject to proration such that the aggregate amount of cash paid in exchange for outstanding shares of Caesars Common Stock in the Merger will not exceed the Aggregate Cash Amount and the aggregate number of shares of Eldorado Common Stock issued in exchange for shares of Caesars Common Stock in the Merger will not exceed the Aggregate Eldorado Share Amount. Outstanding options and other equity awards issued under Caesars’ stock plans will be treated in the manner set forth in the Merger Agreement and, to the extent entitled pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and the underlying equity awards, will receive the Per Share Amount (or applicable portion thereof) in cash. “Eldorado Common Stock VWAP” means the volume weighted average price of a share of Eldorado Common Stock for a ten (10) trading day period, starting with the opening of trading on the eleventh (11th) trading day prior to the anticipated Closing Date to the closing of trading on the second (2nd) to last trading day prior to the anticipated Closing Date.
Immediately following the closing, the board of directors of Eldorado will, subject to certain exceptions described in the Merger Agreement, consist of 11 directors, five of whom shall be selected by Eldorado from the board of directors of Caesars as of the time of mailing the joint proxy statement for the Merger
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties from each of Caesars and Eldorado, and each party has agreed to customary covenants, including, among others, covenants relating to (1) the conduct of its business prior to the closing, (2) the use of reasonable best efforts to consummate the Merger and obtain all required consents and approvals, including regulatory approvals, (3) the preparation and filing of a joint proxy statement andS-4 registration statement and (4) holding a meeting of shareholders to obtain their requisite approvals in connection with the Merger, including, among other approvals, the approval by Eldorado shareholders of the issuance of shares of Eldorado Common Stock in the Merger, certain amendments to the articles of incorporation of Eldorado, and the reincorporation of Eldorado in Delaware, and, subject to certain exceptions, the recommendation of the board of directors of each of Caesars and Eldorado that such approvals be provided. The Merger Agreement also prohibits Caesars and Eldorado from soliciting competing acquisition proposals, except that, subject to customary exceptions and limitations, prior to receiving shareholder approval, Caesars and Eldorado may, as applicable, provide information to, and negotiate with, a third party that makes an unsolicited acquisition proposal if the board of directors of Caesars or Eldorado, as applicable, determines that such acquisition proposal would reasonably be expected to result in a superior proposal with respect to an alternative transaction and failure to take such actions would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.