Tribune Company has reached a settlement that will remove an objection to its Chapter 11 reorganization by Centerbridge Partners, which holds about 37% of Tribune’s senior notes. The agreement proposes to settle all potential claims arising from the company’s going-private transactions in 2007.
Tribune said on Thursday that the agreement is supported by major creditors J.P. Morgan and Angelo Gordon, lenders under the company’s prepetition senior credit facility, and Centerbridge Partners.
The terms of the agreement, which also has the support of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, will be incorporated into a plan of reorganization for Tribune and its debtor affiliates, to be filed with the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
“The company supports the resolution of our bankruptcy through a plan of reorganization that implements the terms of this agreement. The plan will allow us to resolve these cases without the distraction, expense and delay of protracted litigation, and is in the best interests of Tribune and all of our constituents,” said Don Liebentritt, Tribune’s Chief Legal Officer.
“We’re very pleased that an agreement has been reached, and we appreciate the support we’ve received from J.P. Morgan, Angelo Gordon, Centerbridge and the Committee,” said Tribune CEO Randy Michaels. “This will enable us to file our plan prior to next Tuesday’s court hearing. It is another significant step forward as we continue to transform our media businesses, attract and retain talented people, and seize opportunities to grow,” he added.
Under the plan, the holders of the senior notes would receive 7.4% of the company’s distributable value, which would be paid in a combination of cash, debt and stock. The company’s senior credit facility lenders would receive cash and debt, and stock representing in excess of 91% of the equity of the reorganized company. Under the plan, the company would emerge from bankruptcy, significantly deleveraged, with its business units intact and with adequate liquidity for operating and capital needs. Once filed, the plan will be subject to a creditor vote and approval by the bankruptcy court.
