# Sports Direct International Plc Update on offer Offer re Game Digital plc

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/sports-direct-international-plc-update-on-offer-offer-re-game-digital-plc/412787746
- Published: 2019-07-15T07:35:06+01:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

On 5 June 2019, **Sports Direct International plc** (LON:SPD) announced, pursuant
to Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code, that it had unconditionally agreed to acquire 
14,869,666 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of GAME Digital plc and,
as a result, was required under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code to make a mandatory 
cash offer to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital 
of GAME other than the shares already held by Sports Direct (or any persons acting
in concert with it). The full terms and condition of the Offer, together with the
procedures for acceptance of the Offer, were set out in the offer document issued
by Sports Direct on 20 June 2019 and, in respect of certificated GAME Shares, the
accompanying Form of Acceptance.

On 9 July 2019, Sports Direct announced that the Offer had been declared unconditional
in all respects and that it would remain open for acceptance until 1:00pm (London
time) on 30 July 2019.

Capitalised terms used in this announcement, unless otherwise defined, have the 
same meanings as set out in the Offer Document.

**Level of acceptances**

As at 1:00pm (London time) on 12 July 2019, Sports Direct had received valid acceptances
of the Offer in respect of a total of 77,826,370 GAME Shares, representing approximately
45.00 per cent. of GAME’s existing issued share capital, which may count towards
the satisfaction of the acceptance condition to the Offer.

Sports Direct holds 66,569,666 GAME Shares, representing approximately 38.49 per
cent. of GAME’s entire issued share capital.  In addition, as at 1:00pm (London 
time) on 12 July 2019, Sports Direct had agreed to purchase 661,659 GAME Shares (
representing approximately 0.38 per cent. of GAME’s entire issued share capital).
Such transaction will settle by 16 July 2019.

Accordingly, as at 1:00pm (London time) on 12 July 2019, Sports Direct owned, had
agreed to acquire, or had received valid acceptances in respect of a total of 145,057,695
GAME Shares, representing approximately 83.88 per cent. of GAME’s entire issued 
share capital.

The percentages listed in this announcement are based on a current issued share 
capital of 172,938,108 GAME Shares.

**Cancellation of trading and listing**

Since the Offer has been declared wholly unconditional, and having received acceptances
of the Offer which, when taken with GAME Shares already owned and/or otherwise agreed
to be acquired by Sports Direct, exceed 75 per cent. of the issued share capital
of GAME, Sports Direct intends to procure the making of an application by GAME for
the cancellation of trading in the GAME Shares on the London Stock Exchange’s main
market for listed securities and listing of the GAME Shares on the premium listing
segment of the Official List.  A notice period of not less than 20 Business Days
before these cancellations become effective will commence on the date of this announcement.

GAME Shareholders are urged to accept the Offer, as the cancellation of trading 
and listing would significantly reduce the liquidity and marketability of any GAME
Shares not acquired by Sports Direct.

**Compulsory acquisition**

If Sports Direct receives acceptances under the Offer in respect of, and/or otherwise
acquires or contracts to acquire, 90 per cent. or more in nominal value of the GAME
Shares to which the Offer relates and of the voting rights carried by those GAME
Shares, Sports Direct intends to exercise its rights in accordance with sections
974 to 991 of the Companies Act 2006 to acquire compulsorily the remaining GAME 
Shares on the same terms as the Offer.

**Acceptance procedure**

If you hold your GAME Shares in Certificated Form (that is, not in CREST), to accept
the Offer you must complete the Form of Acceptance enclosed with the Offer Document
in accordance with the instructions printed on it. Return the completed Form of 
Acceptance (along with your share certificate(s) and/or other documents of title)
by post to Computershare Investor Services PLC, Corporate Actions Projects, Bristol,
BS99 6AH, or by hand (during normal business hours only) to Computershare Investor
Services PLC, the Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 8AE as soon as possible
and, in any event, so as to be received by no later than 1:00pm (London time) on
30 July 2019. If you are posting in the UK, a reply-paid envelope has been provided
for your convenience.

If you hold your GAME Shares in Uncertificated Form (that is, in CREST), to accept
the Offer you must follow the procedure set out in paragraph 14.2 of the Letter 
from Sports Direct in Part I of the Offer Document so that the TTE Instruction settles
no later than 1:00pm (London time) on 30 July 2019. If you hold your GAME Shares
as a Crest Sponsored Member, you should refer to your CREST Sponsor as only your
CREST Sponsor will be able to send the necessary instruction to Euroclear.

If you require assistance in completing your Form of Acceptance (or wish to obtain
an additional Form of Acceptance), or have questions in relation to making an electronic
acceptance, please contact the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services 
PLC, on +44(0) 370 707 4040. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm (London time) Monday
to Friday (excluding public holidays). Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored
for security and training purposes. The helpline cannot provide advice on the merits
of the Offer nor give any financial, legal or tax advice. Calls are charged at the
standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the UK will be
charged at the applicable international rate.

**Further copies**

Further copies of this announcement, the Offer Document and the Form of Acceptance
may be obtained from the Receiving Agent, Computershare Investor Services PLC, on
0370 707 4040. Lines are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm (London time) Monday to Friday(
excluding public holidays). Calls may be recorded and randomly monitored for security
and training purposes. The helpline cannot provide advice on the merits of the Offer
nor give any financial, legal or tax advice. Calls are charged at the standard geographic
rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged
at the applicable international rate.  A hard copy of this announcement will not
be sent unless requested. Any such person may request that all future documents,
announcements and information in relation to the Offer should be sent to them in
hard copy form.

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