Introductory Note
On May 30, 2023, Viasat, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Viasat”), purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of Connect Topco Limited, a private company limited by shares and incorporated in Guernsey (“Inmarsat”), pursuant to the previously announced Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2021 (as amended, the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among Viasat, the shareholders of Inmarsat and the other parties thereto (collectively, the “Sellers”) in exchange for (i) cash consideration equal to $550.7 million, subject to adjustments, and (ii) approximately 46.36 million unregistered shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Viasat (“Common Stock”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the “Acquisition”).
The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Viasat with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 8, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference, and the letter agreement, dated as of April 11, 2023, by and among Viasat and the shareholders of Inmarsat party thereto, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 2.1(A) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Viasat with the SEC on May 22, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The events described in this Current Report on Form 8-K took place in connection with the closing of the Acquisition.
Item 1.01. | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
2023 Term Loan Facility
On May 30, 2023, Viasat entered into a Credit Agreement by and among Viasat (as borrower), Bank of America, N.A. (as administrative agent and collateral agent) and the other lenders party thereto (the “2023 Term Loan Facility”), providing for a $616.7 million term loan facility, which was fully drawn at closing and matures in May 2030. Viasat received $565.0 million in proceeds from borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility, net of issue discount and underwriting, arrangement and commitment fees. Borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility are required to be repaid in quarterly installments of approximately $1.5 million each, which commence on December 31, 2023, followed by a final installment of approximately $576.6 million at maturity.
Borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility bear interest, at Viasat’s option, at either (i) a base rate equal to the greater of the administrative agent’s prime rate as announced from time to time, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and the forward-looking SOFR term rate administered by CME for a one-month interest period plus 1.00%, subject to a floor of 1.50% for the initial term loans, plus an applicable margin of 3.50%, or (ii) the forward-looking SOFR term rate administered by CME for the applicable interest period, subject to a floor of 0.50% for the initial term loans, plus an applicable margin of 4.50%, plus a credit spread adjustment ranging from 0.11% to 0.43%.
Borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility are required to be guaranteed by certain significant domestic subsidiaries of Viasat (as defined in the 2023 Term Loan Facility) and secured by substantially all of Viasat’s and any such subsidiary’s assets (which include a pledge of a portion of the Inmarsat shares acquired in the Acquisition). The 2023 Term Loan Facility contains covenants that restrict, among other things, the ability of Viasat and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt, grant liens, sell assets, make investments, pay dividends and make certain other restricted payments. The 2023 Term Loan Facility also contains customary events of default. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the administrative agent may declare all outstanding amounts under the 2023 Term Loan Facility immediately due and payable.
Certain of the lenders under the 2023 Term Loan Facility, and their respective affiliates, have performed, and may in the future perform, for Viasat and its affiliates various commercial banking, investment banking, financial advisory or other services (including in connection with the Bridge Facility (as defined below) and Viasat’s existing term loan facility and revolving credit facility (collectively, the “Existing Credit Facilities”)) for which they have received and/or may in the future receive customary compensation and expense reimbursement.