S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2020

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-2733559

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

625 Westport Parkway

Grapevine, Texas 76051

(817) 424-2800

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

James A. Bell

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

GameStop Corp.

625 Westport Parkway

Grapevine, Texas 76051

(817) 424-2000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

Michael H. Friedman, Esquire

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP

3000 Two Logan Square

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2799

(215) 981-4000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be Registered/Proposed Maximum Offering

Price per Unit/Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering

Price/Amount of Registration Fee (1)

Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value

  —  

Preferred Stock, $.001 par value

  —  

Depositary Shares(2)

  —  

Warrants(3)

  —  

Stock Purchase Contracts

  —  

Units(4)

  —  

Subscription Rights

  —  

Total

  —  

 

 

(1)

The securities covered by this registration statement may be sold by the registrant separately or in any combination with other securities covered by this registration statement. The amount of securities being registered consist of an indeterminate number of securities of each type covered by this registration statement as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. The amount of each class of securities being registered under this registration statement is not specific pursuant to General Instruction II.E. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the securities being registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of securities as may be issuable with respect to the securities being registered hereunder as a result of share splits, anti-dilution adjustments, share distributions, share combinations or similar transactions. In accordance with Rule 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fees.

(2)

Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement, will represent an interest in a fractional share of preferred stock or multiple shares of preferred stock and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

(3)

The warrants may be exercisable for Class A common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares.

(4)

Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in two or more other securities registered under this registration statement, which may or may not be separable from one another.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

GAMESTOP CORP.

Class A Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Units

Subscription Rights

 

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time, one or any combination of the securities we describe in this prospectus. The preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, purchase contracts, units and subscription rights may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, our preferred stock or our other securities. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms and conditions of any securities offered, any net proceeds that we expect to receive from the sale of such securities and the specific manner in which the securities will be offered. The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the information in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.

Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GME.” Any Class A common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange. If we decide to list or seek a quotation for any other securities, we may offer and sell from time to time, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange or market on which those securities will be listed or quoted.

Our principal executive offices are located at 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051, and our telephone number is (817) 424-2000. Our internet address is www.gamestop.com.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus. You should carefully read and consider the information in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the risk factors included in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or in our periodic and other reports and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission before investing in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is December 8, 2020.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     1  

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

     2  

GAMESTOP CORP.

     3  

RISK FACTORS

     3  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

     6  

CAPITAL STOCK

     6  

DEPOSITARY SHARES

     7  

WARRANTS

     11  

STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

     12  

UNITS

     13  

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

     14  

BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

     15  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     16  

LEGAL MATTERS

     19  

EXPERTS

     19  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a shelf registration process for the delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell any of the securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is an inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference herein or therein. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, and this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is correct on any date after the respective dates of the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements, as applicable, even though this prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements are delivered or securities are sold pursuant to the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements at a later date. Since the respective dates of the prospectus contained in this registration statement and any accompanying prospectus supplement, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed. We may only use this prospectus to sell the securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “GameStop,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or comparable terms are to GameStop Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains our reports, proxy statements and other information regarding us and other issuers that file electronically with the SEC, at http://www.sec.gov. Unless specifically listed under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below, the information contained on the SEC website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus. Information about us is also available on our website at https://www.gamestop.com. Information on our website does not constitute part of, and is not incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered hereby, reference is also made to such registration statement.


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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to the documents that contain such information. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information set forth in this prospectus and/or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, (i) after the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, and (ii) on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering made pursuant to this prospectus:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 27, 2020 (“Annual Report”);

 

   

The information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 27, 2020;

 

   

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended May 2, 2020, August  1, 2020 and October 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on June 9, 2020, September 9, 2020 and December 8, 2020, respectively;

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 9, 2020, April  21, 2020, May 19,  2020, June  4, 2020, June  5, 2020, June  18, 2020, June  18, 2020, July  2, 2020, July  6, 2020, September  2, 2020, November  10, 2020 and December 8, 2020; and

 

   

The description of our Class  A common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed October 3, 2005, including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to but not filed with the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit to Form 8-K).

We encourage you to read our periodic and current reports. We think these reports provide additional information about our company which prudent investors find important. We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, at no cost, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus, upon written or telephonic request to us at our principal executive offices at the following telephone number and address: 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051, (817) 424-2800, Attn: Investor Relations.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus or any other offering materials we may use. We have not authorized any person to provide information other than that provided in this prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus or any other offering materials we may use. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any other offering materials we may use is accurate only as of the date on its cover page and that any information in a document we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference.

The statements that we make in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus about the contents of any other documents are not necessarily complete, and are qualified in their entirety by referring you to copies of those documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, or as an exhibit to the documents incorporated by reference. You can obtain copies of these documents from the SEC or from us, as described above.

 

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GAMESTOP CORP.

We are a global, digital-first omni-channel video game, consumer electronics, toys, games and collectibles retailer. We were established in 1996 and, as of October 31, 2020, operated approximately 5,000 stores across 10 countries, and offer a broad selection of new and pre-owned video gaming consoles, accessories, monitors, TVs and other consumer electronics and video game titles, in both physical and digital formats. We also offer a wide variety of POP! vinyl figures, collectibles and board games. Through our buy-sell-trade program, gamers can trade in video game consoles, games, and accessories, as well as consumer electronics for cash or in-store credit. Our consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com and Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication. We operate our business in four geographic segments: United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.

Our principal executive office is located at 625 Westport Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051, and our telephone number is (817) 424-2000. Our website address is www.gamestop.com. None of the information on, or accessible through, our website is incorporated in or constitutes a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in the securities involves risks. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors contained in our annual, quarterly and current reports. Additional risk factors specific to particular securities will be detailed in one or more supplements to this prospectus. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects, the market price of our common stock and our ability to satisfy any debt service obligations may be materially and adversely affected. This could cause the value of our securities to decline and you could lose part or all of your investment. These risks are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that as of the date of this prospectus we deem immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on us. Some statements included in this prospectus, in the documents incorporated by reference herein and in any prospectus supplement constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the sections entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” You should consult your financial, legal, tax and other professional advisors as to the risks associated with an investment in our securities and the suitability of the investment for you.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents that we incorporate by reference herein and therein, each contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” and variations of such words or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about our future financial condition, results of operations, our business strategy and objectives, including our acquisition strategy, our value-add initiatives, occupancy and leasing rates and trends, and expected liquidity needs and sources (including capital expenditures and the ability to obtain financing or raise capital). Our forward-looking statements reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects as reflected in or suggested by our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies or prospects will be

 

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attained or achieved and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and may be affected by a variety of risks, including, without limitation:

 

   

macroeconomic pressures, including the effects of COVID-19 on consumer spending;

 

   

the impact of COVID-19, including government restrictions, on our business and financial results;

 

   

the impact of COVID-19 on costs and availability of capital;

 

   

the cyclicality of the video game industry;

 

   

our dependence on the timely delivery of new and innovative products from our vendors;

 

   

the impact of technological advances in the video game industry and related changes in consumer behavior on our sales;

 

   

our ability to keep pace with changing industry technology and consumer preferences;

 

   

the economic, social and political conditions in the U.S. and certain international markets;

 

   

the impact of international crises and trade restrictions and tariffs on the delivery of our products;

 

   

our ability to obtain favorable terms from our suppliers;

 

   

the international nature of our business;

 

   

our dependence on sales during the holiday selling season;

 

   

fluctuations in our results of operations from quarter to quarter;

 

   

our ability to de-densify our global store base;

 

   

our ability to renew or enter into new leases on favorable terms;

 

   

the competitive nature of our industry;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain executive officers and key personnel;

 

   

the adequacy of our management information systems;

 

   

our reliance on centralized facilities for refurbishment of our pre-owned products;

 

   

our ability to react to trends in pop culture with regard to our sales of collectibles and our dependence on licensed products for a substantial portion of such sales;

 

   

our ability to maintain security of our customer, employee or company information;

 

   

potential harm to our reputation;

 

   

our ability to maintain effective control over financial reporting;

 

   

our vendors’ ability to provide marketing and merchandise support at historical levels;

 

   

restrictions on our ability to purchase and sell pre-owned video games;

 

   

potential decrease in popularity of certain types of video games;

 

   

changes in our tariff, import/export regulations and global tax rate;

 

   

potential future litigation and other legal proceedings;

 

   

potential future actions by activist stockholders;

 

   

changes in accounting rules and regulations; and

 

   

our ability to comply with federal, state, local and international law.

 

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The risks identified above are not exhaustive, and you should be aware that there may be other risks that could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all risks on our business or the extent to which any risk, or combination of risks, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” for additional information as to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events, or otherwise, and investors should not rely upon these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we otherwise specify in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. We may also invest the proceeds in certificates of deposit, United States government securities or certain other interest-bearing securities. If we decide to use the net proceeds from a particular offering of securities for a specific purpose, we will describe that in the related prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our shares of Class A common stock and shares of preferred stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the shares of Class A common stock and shares of preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The terms of our charter and bylaws are more detailed than the general information provided below. Therefore, you should carefully consider the actual provisions of these documents, which are incorporated by reference as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, within this registration statement on Form S-3.

Common Stock

Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 300,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share (our “common stock”), and up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share (our “preferred stock”). As of December 1, 2020, there were 69,746,960 shares of our common stock outstanding.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors from time to time out of assets or funds legally available for payment, subject to the rights of the holders of our preferred stock, if any.

Each share of our common stock entitles the holder of record to one vote at all meetings of stockholders, and the votes are noncumulative. For business to be properly brought by a stockholder before the annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholder must give timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice of intention to make a nomination or to propose other business at the annual meeting must either (i) be sent to the Company in compliance with the requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8, if the proposal is submitted under such rule, or (ii) if not, be mailed and received by, or delivered to, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the 120th day and not later than the 90th day prior to the anniversary of the date the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders or, if the date of the annual meeting of stockholders is more than 25 days earlier or later than such anniversary date, then not later than the close of business on the 10th day after public disclosure of the meeting date.

Our bylaws may be amended or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted, either by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock.

In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in any of the assets available for distribution after we have paid in full all of our debts and after holders of our outstanding shares of preferred stock, if any, have been paid in full their liquidation preferences.

Our outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive or preferential rights. Shares of our common stock are not convertible into shares of any other class of capital stock.

 

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Preferred Stock

Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to determine the voting powers, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. Subject to the determination of our board of directors in any certificate or designation for a series of preferred stock, our preferred stock would generally have preference over common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event we were to liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs. We currently have no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Charter

Our charter and bylaws may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders. Our charter contains a provision expressly stating that we are not subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would otherwise restrict certain transactions with an interested stockholder.

Stockholder Action; Special Meeting Of Stockholders

Our charter and bylaws further provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the board of directors.

Authorized But Unissued Shares

The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description contains general terms and provisions of depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such depositary shares. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the deposit agreement, a form of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the depositary shares. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of a series of preferred stock as depositary shares, rather than full shares of preferred stock. In such event, we will issue depositary receipts for those depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular class or series of preferred stock, as described in the related prospectus supplement.

Shares of any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement, between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. We refer to this entity as a Preferred Stock Depositary. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will set forth the name and address of the Preferred Stock Depositary with respect to those depositary shares. Subject to the terms of the

 

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deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all of the rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, conversion, exchange, redemption, and liquidation rights, if any).

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional interests in shares of preferred stock as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of a series of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of the depositary receipts owned by those holders on the relevant record date (subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the Preferred Stock Depositary). The Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and the balance not so distributed will be held by the Preferred Stock Depositary and added to and treated as part of the next sum received by such Preferred Stock Depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares then outstanding.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of such depositary shares owned by those holders, unless the Preferred Stock Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the Preferred Stock Depositary may, with our approval, adopt a method it deems equitable and practicable to effect the distribution, including the public or private sale of such property and distribution of the net proceeds therefrom to holders of depositary shares.

The amount so distributed to record holders of depositary receipts in any of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the Preferred Stock Depositary on account of taxes. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights offered by us to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to holders of depositary shares.

No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any preferred stock converted into other securities.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the Preferred Stock Depositary resulting from redemption, in whole or in part, of such class or series of preferred stock held by the Preferred Stock Depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price and other amounts per share, if any, payable in respect of such class or series of preferred stock. Whenever we redeem preferred stock held by the Preferred Stock Depositary, the Preferred Stock Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares), or by any other methods that may be determined to be equitable by the Preferred Stock Depositary.

 

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From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the preferred stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares with respect to those depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the redemption price upon that redemption. Any funds deposited by us with the Preferred Stock Depositary for any depositary shares which the holders thereof fail to redeem shall be returned to us after a period of two years from the date those funds are so deposited.

Voting of the Shares of Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of a class or series of preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares are entitled to vote, the Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares of such class or series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the related class or series of preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Stock Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The Preferred Stock Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock represented by those depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the Preferred Stock Depositary in order to enable the Preferred Stock Depositary to do so. The Preferred Stock Depositary will abstain from voting the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holder of depositary shares representing those shares of preferred stock. The Preferred Stock Depositary will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is taken in good faith and does not result from the negligence or willful misconduct of the Preferred Stock Depositary.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of related preferred stock as set forth in the related prospectus supplement.

Conversion and Exchange of Preferred Stock

The depositary shares are not convertible into common stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the related prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, a record holder of depositary receipts may have the right or obligation to surrender such depositary receipts to the Preferred Stock Depositary, with written instructions to the Preferred Stock Depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares, as evidenced by such depositary receipts, into whole shares of common stock, and we agree that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.

Withdrawal of Preferred Shares

Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the Preferred Stock Depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), upon

 

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payment of any unpaid amount due to the Preferred Stock Depositary, and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, the owner of the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such owner’s order, of the number of whole shares of preferred shares and all money and other property, if any, represented by the depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of preferred stock represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. Partial shares of preferred shares will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred shares to be withdrawn, the Preferred Stock Depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred shares that are withdrawn will not be entitled to deposit the shares that have been withdrawn under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any time by agreement between us and the Preferred Stock Depositary. However, amendments, if any, which materially and adversely alter the rights of holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights of holders of the underlying preferred stock, will be ineffective unless the amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding under the deposit agreement. Every holder of outstanding depositary receipts at the time of any such amendment, if any, becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold its depositary receipts, to consent to the amendment and to be bound by the applicable deposit agreement as amended thereby.

We may terminate a deposit agreement upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the Preferred Stock Depositary if a majority of each class or series of preferred stock subject to the deposit agreement consents to its termination, whereupon the Preferred Stock Depositary will deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by those depositary receipts, together with any other property held by the Preferred Stock Depositary with respect to those depositary receipts. Additionally, a deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

 

   

all outstanding depositary shares related thereto have been redeemed;

 

   

there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock underlying those depositary shares in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and the distribution has been distributed to the holders of the related depositary receipts; or

 

   

each share of related preferred stock has been converted into our capital stock not so represented by depositary shares.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay the Preferred Stock Depositary’s fees and charges in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and initial issuance of depositary receipts and any redemption or conversion of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay all other transfer and other taxes, governmental charges, and fees and expenses of the Preferred Stock Depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

A Preferred Stock Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove any Preferred Stock Depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect

 

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upon the appointment of a successor Preferred Stock Depositary and that successor Preferred Stock Depositary’s acceptance of the appointment. The successor Preferred Stock Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company.

Miscellaneous

The Preferred Stock Depositary will forward all reports and communications which we deliver to the Preferred Stock Depositary and which we are required or otherwise determine to furnish to holders of the preferred stock.

Neither we nor any Preferred Stock Depositary will be liable if we are or it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our or its control in performing our or its obligations under a deposit agreement. Our obligations and the obligations of any Preferred Stock Depositary under a deposit agreement will be limited to performing in good faith our and its respective duties thereunder (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of a class or series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares), without negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct. We and any Preferred Stock Depositary will not be obligated under the deposit agreement to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of any preferred stock represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the Preferred Stock Depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed and presented by the proper party or parties.

In the event the Preferred Stock Depositary receives conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the Preferred Stock Depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.

WARRANTS

The following description contains general terms and provisions of warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant, forms of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the warrants. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

We may offer, by means of this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplements, warrants for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities by means of this prospectus, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified therein or the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms may include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

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the currencies in which the price or prices of the warrants may be payable;

 

   

the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

   

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

 

   

a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for cash the amount of our common stock, preferred stock and/or depositary shares, as the case may be, at the exercise price stated or determinable in the applicable prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the common stock, preferred stock and/or depositary shares that the warrant holder has purchased, as the case may be. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.

STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

The following description contains general terms and provisions of stock purchase contracts to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the stock purchase contracts offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the stock purchase contracts so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such stock purchase contracts. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the stock purchase contract, a form of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the stock purchase contracts. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

 

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We may issue stock purchase contracts representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a specified or varying number of shares of our common stock or preferred stock at a future date or dates. Alternatively, the stock purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specified or varying number of shares of common stock or preferred stock. The price per share and the number of shares may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are entered into or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be entered into separately or as a part of a unit that consists of a stock purchase contract and warrants. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the units or require the holders of the units to make periodic payments to us. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded and may be paid on a current or on a deferred basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the contracts in a specified manner.

UNITS

The following description contains general terms and provisions of units to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the units offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the units so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such units. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the unit agreement and unit certificate, forms of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the units. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

We may issue units from time to time in such amounts and in as many distinct series as we determine. We will issue each series of units under a unit agreement to be entered into between us and a unit agent to be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement. When we refer to a series of units, we mean all units issued as part of the same series under the applicable unit agreement.

We may issue units consisting of any combination of two or more securities described in this prospectus. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable as, a single security only, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the units offered pursuant to it, including one or more of the following:

 

   

the title of any series of units;

 

   

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units;

 

   

the aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the units and any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units;

 

   

the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

 

   

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form;

 

   

a description of the terms of any unit agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as unit agent, governing the units;

 

   

a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

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whether the units will be listed on any securities exchange; and

 

   

any other material terms of the units and their constituent securities.

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

The following description contains general terms and provisions of subscription rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the subscription rights offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the subscription rights so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such subscription rights. For more information, please refer to the provisions of the subscription rights agreement and subscription rights certificate, forms of which we will file with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the subscription rights. For information on incorporation by reference, and how to obtain copies of these documents, see the sections of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”

We may issue subscription rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from such securities. These subscription rights may be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that particular issue of subscription rights, pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering. The subscription rights will be issued under a separate subscription agreement, to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as specified in the prospectus supplement relating to that particular issue of subscription rights.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

 

   

the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

 

   

the exercise price payable for each share of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares upon the exercise of the subscription rights;

 

   

the number of subscription rights being issued;

 

   

the number and terms of the shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares which may be purchased per each subscription right;

 

   

the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable, including the date, if any, on and after which the subscription rights may be transferrable;

 

   

any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;

 

   

the minimum or maximum number of subscription rights which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

 

   

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

We may issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. If securities are issued in book entry form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company is expected to serve as depository. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by the depository or any nominee of such depository to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depository for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depository, who are called “participants.” Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the securities or by us if the securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to the depository’s participants or persons that may hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depository or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) and records of the participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.

So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable instrument defining the rights of a holder of the securities. Except as provided below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable instrument defining the rights of the holders of the securities.

Payments of amounts payable with respect to individual securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such securities. None of us, our officers and directors or any trustee, paying agent or security registrar for an individual series of securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depository for a series of securities offered by means of this prospectus or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest, dividend or other amount in respect of a permanent global security representing any of such securities, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts with

 

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payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security for such securities as shown on the records of such depository or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

If a depository for a series of securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of securities. In addition, we may, at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such securities, determine not to have any securities of such series represented by one or more global securities and, in such event, will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security or securities representing such series of securities.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways:

 

   

directly to investors, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process;

 

   

to investors through agents;

 

   

directly to agents;

 

   

to or through brokers or dealers;

 

   

to the public through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters;

 

   

to one or more underwriters acting alone for resale to investors or to the public;

 

   

in “at-the-market offerings” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, or a securities exchange or otherwise;

 

   

through forward or other derivative transactions relating to the securities being registered hereunder; or

 

   

through a combination of any such methods of sale.

If we sell securities to a dealer acting as principal, the dealer may resell such securities at varying prices to be determined by such dealer in its discretion at the time of resale without consulting with us and such resale prices may not be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis. We may also offer securities through subscription rights distributed to our stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

Sales of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

 

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Any of the prices may represent a discount from the then prevailing market prices.

In the sale of the securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive compensation from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.

Discounts, concessions and commissions may be changed from time to time. Dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions or commissions they receive from us and any profit on the resale of securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under applicable federal and state securities laws.

The applicable prospectus supplement will, where applicable:

 

   

describe the terms of the offering;

 

   

identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent;

 

   

describe any compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, commissions or otherwise received from us by each such underwriter or agent and in the aggregate by all underwriters and agents;

 

   

describe the purchase price or the public offering price of the securities;

 

   

identify the amounts underwritten; and

 

   

identify the nature of the underwriter’s or underwriters’ obligation to take the securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, each series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than shares of our common stock, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to list any series of preferred stock on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any offered securities.

We may offer the securities into an existing trading market on the terms described in a prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with those derivative transactions third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and such prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or from others to settle those short sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivative transactions to close out any related open borrowings of securities. If the third party is or may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act, it will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplements.

Until the distribution of the securities is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of any underwriters and selling group members to bid for and purchase the securities. As an exception to these rules, underwriters are permitted to engage in some transactions that stabilize the price of the securities. Such transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

 

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Underwriters may engage in overallotment. If any underwriters create a short position in the securities in an offering in which they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing the securities in the open market.

The lead underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on other underwriters and selling group members participating in an offering. This means that if the lead underwriters purchase securities in the open market to reduce the underwriters’ short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they may reclaim the amount of any selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those securities as part of the offering.

In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that it were to discourage resales of the security before the distribution is completed.

We do not make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above might have on the price of the securities. In addition, we do not make any representation that underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against or contribution towards certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the applicable securities laws.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, perform services for us or be our tenants in the ordinary course of business.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by particular institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount no less than, and the aggregate amounts of securities sold under delayed delivery contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with which such contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that (a) the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to the underwriters the total amount of the securities less the amount thereof covered by the contracts. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.

To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

Underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the offer of securities, or their affiliates or associates, may have engaged or engage in transactions with and perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they may have received or receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to the securities to be offered by us by means of this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 52 week period ended February 1, 2020, for the 52 week period ended February 2, 2019 and for the 53 week period ended February 3, 2018, and the effectiveness of GameStop Corp. internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered are set forth in the following table. All of the amounts shown are estimates, except the SEC registration fee which is deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

 

Item

   Amount  

SEC Registration Fee

   $  

Legal Fees and Expenses

     ** 

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     ** 

Blue Sky and Legal Investment Fees and Expenses

     ** 

Printing and Engraving Fees

     ** 

Rating Agency Fees

     ** 

Listing Fees

     ** 

Miscellaneous

     ** 
     ** 
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

   $               ** 
  

 

 

 

 

*

Under Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under this registration statement.

**

Estimated expenses are not presently known. The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that we anticipate we will incur in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Pursuant to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), a corporation may indemnify any person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than a derivative action by or in the right of such corporation) who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation in such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of such corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

The DGCL also permits a corporation to indemnify any person who is or was a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or settlement of a derivative action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to such corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in

 

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which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

To the extent a director, officer, employee or agent is successful in the defense of such an action, suit or proceeding, the corporation is required by the DGCL to indemnify such person for actual and reasonable expenses incurred thereby. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such persons in defending any action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be so indemnified.

The DGCL provides that the indemnification described above shall not be deemed exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation pursuant to its bylaws, disinterested directors’ vote, stockholders’ vote, agreement or otherwise. The indemnification provided for by Section 145 of the DGCL shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

The DGCL also provides corporations with the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation in a similar capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability as described above.

GameStop’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, to indemnify all persons whom GameStop shall have power to indemnify under Section 145. In addition, the amended and restated bylaws of GameStop require GameStop to indemnify each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of GameStop or is or was serving at the request of GameStop as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The amended and restated bylaws also provide that, subject to stated exceptions, GameStop will indemnify such a director or officer who initiates an action, suit or proceeding only if the action, suit or proceeding was authorized by the board of directors of GameStop.

Section 102 of the DGCL permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his or her duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. GameStop’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to GameStop or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to GameStop or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL (relating to unlawful dividends or distributions); or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of GameStop shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this provision of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation would be prospective only and would not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of GameStop existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

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Item 16.

Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

   Description of Exhibit
  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
  3.1    Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on September 11, 2013).
  3.2    Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2017).
  4.3    Form of specimen Stock Certificate for the Company’s Class  A Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on October 3, 2005 (Registration No.  333-125161)).
  4.4    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.*
  4.5    Form of Deposit Agreement.*
  4.6    Form of Depositary Share (included in Exhibit 4.6).*
  4.7    Form of Warrants.*
  4.8    Form of Stock Purchase Contract.*
  4.9    Form of Unit Agreement.*
  4.10    Form of Subscription Rights Agreement and Certificate.*
  5.1    Opinion of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP as to the legality of securities being registered.**
23.1    Consent of Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).**
23.2    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.**
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on signature page).**

 

*

To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the offered securities.

**

Filed herewith.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings

(a)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)    To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

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(iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)    That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)    Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)    Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)    That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)    Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)    Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)    The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

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(iv)    Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(h)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Grapevine, State of Texas, on the 8th day of December, 2020.

 

GAMESTOP CORP.
By:  

/s/ George E. Sherman

  George E. Sherman
  Chief Executive Officer and Director

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint George E. Sherman and James A. Bell, and each and any one of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

  

Capacity

 

Date

/s/ George E. Sherman

George E. Sherman

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  December 8, 2020

/s/ James A. Bell

James A. Bell

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   December 8, 2020

/s/ Diana Jajeh

Diana Jajeh

   Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   December 8, 2020

/s/ Kathy P. Vrabeck

Kathy P. Vrabeck

   Director   December 8, 2020

/s/ Carrie W. Teffner

Carrie W. Teffner

   Director   December 8, 2020

/s/ Raul J. Fernandez

Raul J. Fernandez

   Director   December 8, 2020


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Name

  

Capacity

 

Date

/s/ Lizabeth Dunn

Lizabeth Dunn

   Director   December 8, 2020

/s/ James Symancyk

James Symancyk

   Director   December 8, 2020

/s/ Reginald Fils-Aimé

Reginald Fils-Aimé

   Director   December 8, 2020
EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP

3000 Two Logan Square

Eighteenth and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103-2799

 

troutman.com

   LOGO

December 8, 2020

GameStop Corp.

625 Westport Parkway

Grapevine, 76051

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to GameStop Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing by the Company of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), including the prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof, relating to the registration of an indeterminate amount of: (a) Class A common stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), (b) one or more series of preferred stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”), (c) one or more series of Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares (“Depositary Shares”), (d) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares (“Warrants”), (e) stock purchase contracts representing contracts for the purchase and/or sale of Common Stock or Preferred Stock at a future date or dates (“Stock Purchase Contracts”), (f) units consisting of any combination of two or more securities covered by the Registration Statement (“Units”) and (g) subscription rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares (“Subscription Rights” and together with the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts and Units, collectively, the “Securities”). The Securities may be offered and sold, from time to time, as set forth in the Prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as may be set forth in one or more supplements to the Prospectus, after the Registration Statement becomes effective. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Registration Statement.

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Documents”):

1.    the Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein in the form in which it was transmitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), on the date hereof;


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2.    the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended through the date hereof (the “Charter”), certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

3.    the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended through the date hereof (the “Bylaws”), certified as of a recent date by an officer of the Company;

4.    resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to the registration of the Securities, certified as of a recent date by an officer of the Company;

5.    a certificate of good standing of the Company from the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and

6.    such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth in this letter, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed, and so far as is known to us there are no facts inconsistent with, the following:

1.    each individual executing or delivering any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so;

2.    each individual executing or delivering any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so;

3.    each of the parties (other than the Company) executing or delivering any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms;

4.    all Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; all Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies that conform to the original documents; all signatures on all such Documents are genuine; all public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete; all statements and information contained in the Documents and in the factual representations to us by officers of the Company are true and complete; there has been no oral or written modifications or amendments to the Documents and there has been no waiver of any provisions of any of the Documents, by action or conduct of the parties or otherwise;

5.    the form of certificate, receipt or other instrument or document representing the Securities approved subsequent to the date hereof will conform in all respects to the requirements applicable under Delaware law; and

6.    the Securities will be issued against payment of valid consideration under applicable law and consistent with the authorization of such issuance by the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof.


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For the purposes of the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that the issuance of, and certain terms of, the Securities that may be issued from time to time will have been duly authorized and established by proper action of the Board, consistent with the procedures and terms described in the Registration Statement and, in each case, in accordance with (a) the applicable Delaware law, and (b) the Charter and Bylaws, and in a manner that does not violate any law, government or court-imposed order or restriction or agreement or instrument then binding on the Board, respectively (the “Authorizing Proceedings”).

In expressing the opinions set forth below, we have further assumed that: (i) prior to any issuance of Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, such Preferred Stock shall be classified in accordance with the Bylaws, Charter, and applicable Delaware law; (ii) all Depositary Shares will be issued by a Depositary (as defined below) under one or more deposit agreements (each, a “Deposit Agreement”), each between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as depositary (each, a “Depositary”), that creates legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto (other than the Company), and evidenced by a depositary receipt; (iii) all Warrants offered and sold will be issued under a warrant agreement (a “Warrant Agreement”) that creates legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto (other than the Company); (iv) all stock purchase contracts offered and sold will be issued under purchase contracts that create legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto (other than the Company) (“Stock Purchase Contract”); (v) all Units offered and sold will be issued under a unit agreement that creates legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto (other than the Company) (“Unit Agreement”); and (vi) all Subscription Rights offered and sold will be issued under a subscription agreement (a “Subscription Agreement”) that creates legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto (other than the Company).

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.    Upon the completion of all Authorizing Proceedings relating to the Securities that are shares of Common Stock, or Securities of which shares of Common Stock are a component, and assuming that at the time of any offering or sale of such shares of Common Stock or Securities of which shares of Common Stock are a component, the Company shall have such number of shares of Common Stock as are included in such offering or sale, authorized and available for issuance, the shares of Common Stock will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the resolutions of the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof, authorizing their issuance, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2.    Upon the completion of all Authorizing Proceedings relating to the Securities that are shares of Preferred Stock, or of which shares of Preferred Stock are a component, and upon the classification of such shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with applicable law, the filing of a Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences or an amendment to the Charter authorizing and establishing the terms of the Preferred Stock and the due execution, and assuming that at the time of any offering or sale of such shares of Preferred Stock or Securities of which shares of Preferred Stock are a component, the Company shall have such number of shares of Preferred Stock as are included in such offering or sale, authorized and available for issuance, the shares of Preferred Stock will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the resolutions of the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof, authorizing their issuance, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


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3.    Upon the completion of all Authorizing Proceedings relating to a Deposit Agreement and a series of Preferred Stock underlying a series of Depositary Shares (and subject to the assumption expressed in opinion paragraph 2 above), and upon the classification of such Preferred Stock in accordance with applicable law and the filing of a Certificate of Designations, Rights and Preferences or an amendment to the Charter and the due execution, countersignature, and delivery of the Deposit Agreement and depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares in the form provided by the Deposit Agreement, such Depositary Shares will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the resolutions of the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof, authorizing their issuance, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).

4.    Upon the completion of all Authorizing Proceedings relating to Securities that are Warrants and the due execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement for the Warrants and assuming that at the time of any offering or sale of such Warrants, the Company shall have such number of shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock as are issuable upon exercise of such Warrants, authorized and available for issuance, the Warrants and Warrant Agreement will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the resolutions of the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof, authorizing their issuance, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).

5.    Upon the completion of all Authorizing Proceedings relating to Securities that are Stock Purchase Contracts and the due execution and delivery of the Stock Purchase Contracts, and assuming that at the time of any offering or sale of such Stock Purchase Contracts the Company shall have such number of shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock as are issuable or deliverable by the Company under such Stock Purchase Contracts authorized and available for issuance, the Stock Purchase Contracts will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the resolutions of the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof, authorizing their issuance, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).

6.    Upon the completion of all Authorizing Proceedings relating to Securities that are Units and the due execution and delivery of the Unit Agreement for the Units and assuming that at the time of any offering or sale of such Units the Company shall have such number of shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock as are issuable upon exercise or conversion of Securities that are components of such Units authorized and available for issuance, the Units and Unit Agreement will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the resolutions of the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof, authorizing their issuance, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).


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7.    Upon the completion of all Authorizing Proceedings relating to Securities that are Subscription Rights and the due execution and delivery of the Subscription Agreement for the Subscription Rights, and assuming that at the time of any offering or sale of such Subscription Rights, the Company shall have such number of shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock as are issuable upon exercise of such Subscription Rights, authorized and available for issuance, the Subscription Rights will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the resolutions of the Board, or a duly authorized and empowered committee thereof, authorizing their issuance, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).

We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Delaware, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion letter if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

This opinion letter is being furnished to you for your submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein and under the section “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated March 27, 2020 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of GameStop Corp. and the effectiveness of GameStop Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of GameStop Corp., for the year ended February 1, 2020. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Dallas, Texas

December 8, 2020