Material Agreement · Security-Holder Rights

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549       FORM  8-K       CURRENT REPORT   Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934   Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 24, 2021       LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED (Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)        Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   1-6227 (Commission File Number)   42-0823980 (IRS Employer Identification No.)     4600 East 53rd Street Davenport , Iowa 52807 (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)   ( 563 ) 383-2100   (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)   Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:   ¨   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)     x   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)     ¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))     ¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share LEE The Nasdaq Global Select Market   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).   Emerging growth company ¨   If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨             Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.   On November 24, 2021, the Board of Directors of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (the “Company”) declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”), payable on December 6, 2021, for each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Shares”) outstanding on December 6, 2021 (the “Record Date”) to the stockholders of record on that date. In connection with the distribution of the Rights, the Company entered into a Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”), dated as of November 24, 2021, between the Company and Equiniti Trust Company, as rights agent. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series B Participating Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value (the “Preferred Shares”), of the Company at a price of $120.00 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share represented by a Right (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment.   The Rights are in all respects subject to and governed by the provisions of the Rights Agreement. The following description of the Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and incorporated herein by reference.   Distribution Date; Exercisability; Expiration   Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Share certificates and no separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“Right Certificates”) will be issued. Until the Distribution Date (as defined below), the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Shares. As long as the Rights are attached to the Common Shares, the Company will issue one Right with each new Common Share so that all such Common Shares will have Rights attached.   The Rights will separate and begin trading separately from the Common Shares, and Right Certificates will be caused to evidence the Rights, on the earlier to occur of (i) the Close of Business (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) on the tenth day following a public announcement, or the public disclosure of facts indicating (or the Board of Directors becoming aware), that a Person (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) or group of affiliated or associated Persons has acquired Beneficial Ownership (as defined below) of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (an “Acquiring Person”) (or, in the event the Board of Directors determines to effect an exchange in accordance with Section 24 of the Rights Agreement and the Board of Directors determines that a later date is advisable, then such later date) or (ii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the Beneficial Ownership by a Person or group of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (the earlier of such dates, the “Distribution Date”). As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, unless the Rights are recorded in book-entry or other uncertificated form, the Company will prepare and cause the Right Certificates to be sent to each record holder of Common Shares as of the Distribution Date.         An “Acquiring Person” will not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, (iv) any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit plan or (v) any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) of such Person, at the time of the first public announcement of the Rights Agreement, is a Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding (a “Grandfathered Stockholder”). However, if a Grandfathered Stockholder becomes, after such time, the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares (regardless of whether, thereafter or as a result thereof, there is an increase, decrease or no change in the percentage of Common Shares then outstanding Beneficially Owned (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) by such Grandfathered Stockholder) then such Grandfathered Stockholder shall be deemed to be an Acquiring Person unless, upon such acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of additional Common Shares, such person is not the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding. In addition, upon the first decrease of a Grandfathered Stockholder’s Beneficial Ownership below 10%, such Grandfathered Stockholder will no longer be deemed to be a Grandfathered Stockholder. In the event that after the time of the first public announcement of the Rights Agreement, any agreement, arrangement or understanding pursuant to which any Grandfathered Stockholder is deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of Common Shares expires, is settled in whole or in part, terminates or no longer confers any benefit to or imposes any obligation on the Grandfathered Stockholder, any direct or indirect replacement, extension or substitution of such agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the same or different Common Shares that confers Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares shall be considered the acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of additional Common Shares by the Grandfathered Stockholder and render such Grandfathered Stockholder an Acquiring Person for purposes of the Rights Agreement unless, upon such acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of additional Common Shares, such person is not the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.   “Acquiring Person” shall not include any Person which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, is the Beneficial Owner of Common Shares representing less than 20% of the Common Shares then outstanding, and which is entitled to file, and files, a statement on Schedule 13G pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) or Rule 13d(1)(c) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to the Common Shares Beneficially Owned by such Person (a “13G Investor”); provided, that a Person who was a 13G Investor shall no longer be a 13G Investor if it either (i) files a statement on Schedule 13D pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a), 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act or (ii) becomes no longer entitled to file a statement on Schedule 13G (the earlier to occur of (i) and (ii), the “13D Event”), and such Person shall be an Acquiring Person if it is the Beneficial Owner (together with all Affiliates and Associates) of 10% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding at any point from and after the time of the 13D Event; provided however, such Person shall not be an Acquiring Person if (i) on the first Business Day after the 13D Event such Person notifies the Company of its intent to reduce its Beneficial Ownership to below 10% as promptly as practicable and (ii) such Person reduces its Beneficial Ownership (together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person) to below 10% of the Common Shares as promptly as practicable (but in any event not later than 10 days from such time); provided, further, that such Person shall become an “Acquiring Person” if after reducing its Beneficial Ownership to below 10% it subsequently becomes the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Shares or if, prior to reducing its Beneficial Ownership to below 10%, it increases (or makes any offer or takes any other action that would increase) its Beneficial Ownership of the then-outstanding Common Shares above the lowest Beneficial Ownership of such Person at any time during such 10-day period.         “Beneficial Ownership” is defined in the Rights Agreement to include any securities (i) which a Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 or 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act or has the right or ability to vote, or the right to acquire, pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (except under limited circumstances), (ii) which are directly or indirectly Beneficially Owned by any other Person with which a Person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of such securities, or cooperating in changing, obtaining or influencing control of the Company, or (iii)  which are the subject of, or reference securities for, or that underlie, certain derivative positions of any Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates.   The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will expire on the Close of Business on November 23, 2022 (the “Final Expiration Date”).   Exempt Persons and Transactions   The Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine that a Person is exempt from the Rights Agreement (an “Exempt Person”), so long as such determination is made prior to such time as such Person becomes an Acquiring Person. Any Person will cease to be an Exempt Person if the Board of Directors makes a contrary determination with respect to such Person regardless of the reason therefor. In addition, the Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, exempt any transaction from triggering the Rights Agreement, so long as the determination in respect of such exemption is made prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person.   Flip-in Event   If a Person or group becomes an Acquiring Person at any time after the date of the Rights Agreement (with certain limited exceptions), the Rights will become exercisable for Common Shares having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. From and after the announcement that any Person has become an Acquiring Person, if the Rights evidenced by a Right Certificate are or were acquired or Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become void, and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right to exercise such Rights. If the Board of Directors so elects, the Company may deliver upon payment of the exercise price of a Right an amount of cash, securities, or other property equivalent in value to the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of a Right.   Exchange   At any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by any Person which have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right (subject to adjustment). The Company may issue, transfer or deposit such Common Shares (or other property as permitted under the Rights Agreement) to or into a trust or other entity created upon such terms as the Board of Directors may determine and may direct that all holders of Rights receive such Common Shares or other property only from the trust. In the event the Board of Directors determines, before the Distribution Date, to effect an exchange, the Board of Directors may delay the occurrence of the Distribution Date to such time as it deems advisable.         Flip-over Event   If, at any time after a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, (i) the Company consolidates with, or merges with, any other Person (or any Person consolidates with, or merges with, the Company) and, in connection with such consolidation or merger, all or part of the Common Shares are or will be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person or cash or any other property; or (ii) 50% or more of the Company’s consolidated assets or Earning Power (as defined in the Rights Agreement) are sold, then proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.   Redemption   At any time prior to the time any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right (the “Redemption Price”). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.   Amendment   The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that from and after such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights (other than the Acquiring Person and its Affiliates and Associates).   Preferred Stock Rights   Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 1,000 multiplied by the dividend declared per Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1,000 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 1,000 multiplied by the payment made per Common Share. Each Preferred Share will have one vote, voting together with the Common Shares. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 1,000 multiplied by the amount received per Common Share.         Rights of Holders   Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.   Item 3.03. Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.   The information set forth in Items 1.01 and 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.   Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.   In connection with the adoption of the Rights Agreement, on November 24, 2021, the Company filed a Certificate of Designations of Series B Participating Convertible Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. A copy of the Certificate of Designations of Series B Participating Convertible Preferred Stock is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.   Item 8.01. Other Events.   On November 24, 2021, the Company issued a press release, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.   Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.   (d) Exhibits.   Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit       3.1   Certificate of Designations of Series B Participating Convertible Preferred Stock of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 24, 2021.       4.1   Rights Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2021, between Lee Enterprises, Incorporated and Equiniti Trust Company, as rights agent.   99.1     Press Release dated November 24, 2021.        104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL).         SIGNATURES   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.     LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED       Date: November 24, 2021 By: /s/ Timothy R. Millage   Name: Timothy R. Millage   Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer