New Put Option Agreement entered

RNS Number : 0624D

Sports Direct International Plc

23 January 2015

 

23 January 2015

Sports Direct International plc

Termination of Put Option Agreement in relation to 6.6% stake in Debenhams plc

New Put Option Agreement in relation to a 10.5% stake in Debenhams plc

Sports Direct International plc ("Sports Direct" or "the Group"), the UK's leading sports retailer, announces that it has terminated the put option over a 6.6 per cent stake in Debenhams plc ("Debenhams") that was announced on 16 January 2014 (comprising 81,224,081 ordinary shares in Debenhams) and has, at the same time, entered into a new Put Option Agreement (the "Put Option") with Goldman Sachs International referencing 128,927,113 ordinary shares of Debenhams (representing 10.5 per cent of the issued share capital of Debenhams).

To the extent that the market price of Debenhams' ordinary shares is less than an agreed exercise price (the "Exercise Price") on expiry of the Put Option, Sports Direct may be required to settle the Put Option by acquiring ordinary shares in Debenhams at the Exercise Price.

Pursuant to the terms of the Put Option, Sports Direct will receive a premium, which is payable on expiry of the Put Option.  To the extent that the market price of Debenhams' ordinary shares is greater than the Exercise Price on expiry of the Put Option, Sports Direct will receive the premium and will have no further obligations.

Sports Direct is required to transfer cash collateral to cover its obligations under the Put Option.  The amount of collateral required during the life of the Put Option can increase or decrease by reference to the underlying market price of Debenhams' ordinary shares.  After taking into account the premium it will receive, the Group's maximum exposure under the Put Option is limited to approximately £85m.

Sports Direct is making this announcement pursuant to Listing Rule 10.2.10(1)(b) which requires the aggregation of the Group's maximum exposure under the Put Option with Sports Direct's maximum exposure of approximately £46 million under the put option over a 6.1 per cent stake in Debenhams (referencing 74,185,742 ordinary shares) that was announced on 6 November 2014.  Collectively, these investments currently represent a 16.6 per cent interest in Debenhams' ordinary shares.

Sports Direct reiterates its intention to be a supportive stakeholder and create value in the interests of both Sports Direct's and Debenhams' shareholders. Sports Direct does not intend to make an offer for Debenhams and would encourage the Debenhams' leadership team to concentrate fully on delivering their strategic plans.

For further information, please contact:

Sports Direct International plc                                                                                   0845 129 9229

Dave Forsey - Chief Executive

Jeff Blue - Director, Strategic Development

Powerscourt                                                                                                                      020 7250 1446

Rory Godson

Victoria Palmer-Moore

Greg Lawless

Notes to Editors

Sports Direct is the UK's leading sports retailer by revenue and operating profit, with approximately 400 stores across the UK.  The Group provides an unrivalled range of products, offering exceptional quality and unbeatable value, from a wide variety of third-party and Group-owned brands, both in-store and online.  Sports Direct operates in 19 countries in Europe, including Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, Portugal and France.

The Group has an extensive brand portfolio, comprising 28 internationally recognised sports, fashion and lifestyle brands including Dunlop, Slazenger, Everlast, Lonsdale and Karrimor.

Sports Direct was founded in 1982, listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2007 and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.

For more information please visit www.sportsdirectplc.com

 

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