DEFA14A

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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¨   Definitive Proxy Statement
x   Definitive Additional Materials
¨   Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12

    SPRINT NEXTEL CORPORATION    

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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  (1)  

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

     

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  (3)  

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  (4)  

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The following email was sent from Dan Hesse, Chief Executive Officer of Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”), to Sprint employees on June 11, 2013:

Subject line: Sprint and SoftBank pursuing amended merger agreement; discussions with DISH terminated

Dear Sprint Teammates,

Sprint’s Board of Directors has unanimously accepted an amended merger agreement with improved terms from SoftBank. The new agreement would increase upfront cash paid to Sprint shareholders by $1.48 per share or $4.5 billion. The total cash consideration available to Sprint stockholders would be $16.64 billion. Under this new agreement, SoftBank will own 78% of Sprint. For more details, see our company news release.

The Special Committee of the Sprint Board and its advisors conducted a lengthy due diligence process with Dish Corporation over many weeks. After numerous in-person meetings and conference calls across a wide variety of subjects, the Special Committee decided DISH’s unsolicited proposal to acquire Sprint was not reasonably likely to lead to an offer superior to the SoftBank agreement. The Special Committee has now terminated discussions with DISH, but has given a June 18th, 2013 deadline to provide a “best and final” offer.

Our shareholders need to vote on the amended SoftBank merger agreement. To allow ample time to evaluate the new agreement, we will move the special meeting of the shareholders from June 12th to June 25th. It is our expectation that the merger with SoftBank will be completed in July.

We believe the amended merger agreement with SoftBank is good for shareholders, customers and employees, and it can enhance Sprint’s long-term value by creating a company that’s stronger and more competitive.

We’ll update you as we can when more information is available. Thank you for all you do for Sprint.

Sincerely,

Dan

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This document includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. The words “may,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “target,” “plan,” “providing guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify information that is not historical in nature.

This document contains forward-looking statements relating to the proposed transactions between Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”) and SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”) and its group companies, including Starburst II, Inc. (“Starburst II”), and the proposed acquisition by Sprint of Clearwire Corporation (“Clearwire”). All statements, other than historical facts, including, but not limited to: statements regarding the expected timing of the closing of the transactions; the ability of the parties to complete the transactions considering the various closing conditions; the expected benefits of the transactions such as improved operations, enhanced revenues and cash flow, growth potential, market profile and financial strength; the competitive ability and position of SoftBank or Sprint; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, that (1) one or more closing conditions to the transactions may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transactions or that the required approval by Sprint’s stockholders for the SoftBank transaction or Clearwire’s stockholders for the Clearwire transaction may not be obtained; (2) there may be a material adverse change of Sprint or the business of Sprint may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transactions; (3) the transactions may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (4) the legal proceedings that may have been initiated, as well as any additional legal proceedings that may be initiated, related to the transactions; and (5) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Sprint’s, Starburst II’s and Clearwire’s reports filed with the SEC, including Sprint’s and Clearwire’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and Quarterly Reports on


Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, and other factors that are set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus contained in Starburst II’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, which was declared effective by the SEC on May 1, 2013, and in other materials that will be filed by Sprint, Starburst II and Clearwire in connection with the transactions. There can be no assurance that the transactions will be completed, or if completed, that such transactions will close within the anticipated time period or that the expected benefits of the transactions will be realized.

All forward-looking statements contained in this document and the documents referenced herein are made only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and none of Sprint, SoftBank or Starburst II undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.


The following presentation was first used on June 11, 2013.


Amended SoftBank Agreement –
Maximizing Value and
Certainty
June 10, 2013


Cautionary Statement
2
This document includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. The words “may,” “could,” “should,”
“estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “target,” “plan,” “providing guidance” and similar expressions
are intended to identify information that is not historical in nature. 
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to the proposed transactions between Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”)
and SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”) and its group companies, including Starburst II, Inc. (“Starburst II”), and the proposed acquisition by
Sprint of Clearwire Corporation (“Clearwire”). All statements, other than historical facts, including, but not limited to: statements
regarding the expected timing of the closing of the transactions; the ability of the parties to complete the transactions considering the
various closing conditions; the expected benefits of the transactions such as improved operations, enhanced revenues and cash flow,
growth potential, market profile and financial strength; the competitive ability and position of SoftBank or Sprint; and any assumptions
underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon current plans, estimates and
expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a
representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others,
that (1) there may be a material adverse change of SoftBank; (2) the proposed financing may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or
delays or may not be completed on terms acceptable to SoftBank, if at all; and (3) other factors as detailed from time to time in
Sprint’s, Starburst II’s and Clearwire’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Sprint’s and Clearwire’s
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2013, and other factors that are set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus contained in Starburst II’s Registration
Statement on Form S-4, which was declared effective by the SEC on May 1, 2013, and in other materials that will be filed by Sprint,
Starburst II and Clearwire in connection with the transactions, which will be available on the SEC’s web site (www.sec.gov). There can
be no assurance that the transactions will be completed, or if completed, that such transactions will close within the anticipated time
period or that the expected benefits of such transactions will be realized. 
All forward-looking statements contained in this document and the documents referenced herein are made only as of the date of the
document in which they are contained, and none of Sprint, SoftBank or Starburst II undertakes any obligation to update any forward-
looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking
statements.
 


Amended Terms Maximize Value and
Certainty
Rigorous
Special
Committee
process
results
in
improved
terms
for
Sprint
shareholders
Greater value
$4.5 billion of additional cash to Sprint’s shareholders
Maintains July closing
June
25
th
vote
date
High
degree
of
certainty
-
CFIUS
&
DOJ
approvals
in-hand;
FCC
expected
shortly
Immediate participation in SoftBank upside (capital + synergies)
Special Committee and Sprint Board unanimously recommend FOR improved
SoftBank transaction
DISH proposal not likely to lead to a superior offer
3


Significantly
Improved
Transaction
Terms
Cash consideration up from $4.02 per share to $5.50 per share
Additional $4.5 billion of cash to Sprint Shareholders
Additional cash contribution of $1.5 billion from SoftBank
Reallocation of $3.0 billion of previously committed primary capital to
Sprint Shareholders
Cash purchase price paid to Sprint shareholders increased from $7.30 per
share to $7.65 per share, subject to proration, a 52% premium to
the
unaffected trading price prior to the deal announcement.
Cash portion of merger consideration increased from 55% to 72%
Purchase price of SoftBank primary investment in Sprint increased from $5.25 to
$6.25 per share
Sprint shareholders will own 22% of better capitalized, more competitive
company
4


Overview of Improved Terms
Original
Agreement
Amended
Agreement
Price Paid to Sprint
Shareholders
$7.30
$7.65
Primary Price
$5.25
$6.25
Primary Investment
$4.9bn
$1.9bn
Cash per Share
$4.02
$5.50
% Cash / % Stock Mix
55% / 45%
72% / 28%
Weighted Average
SoftBank Investment
(1)
$6.56
$7.48
Total SB Investment
(2)
$20.14bn
$21.64bn
Sprint Ownership
30% (FD)
22% (FD)
SoftBank Ownership
70% (FD)
78% (FD)
Source: Sprint Management and company filings.
Note: Dollars in billions, except per share data.
(1)
(2)
14% Increase from
Original Agreement
5
$1.48 Increase from
Original Agreement
On remaining investment.
Includes $3.1 billion convertible investment.
Does not include cost to exercise warrants.


Transaction Overview
Pre-
Transaction
~3.0 billion
Sprint shares
outstanding
SoftBank
invested $3.1
billion in
convertible
debt @ $5.25 /
share
at signing
SoftBank
invests $1.9
billion in
newly issued
shares @
$6.25/share
Shares
O/S*
3.1B
4.0B
3.6B
78% SoftBank
(3.1B shares)
22% existing
Sprint
shareholders
(0.9B shares)
Step 2a
Step 1
Post-close
ownership
$5B cash infusion
into Sprint
SoftBank
4.0B
Step2b
$16.6B cash
to Sprint
shareholders
Sprint shareholders
Shortly after signing
At close
6
* Fully diluted pro forma shares outstanding
Converts into equity immediately prior to closing of Steps 2a and 2b
††
In addition, SoftBank receives five-year warrant to purchase 54.6M shares in newly recapitalized Sprint at $5.25 per share for total additional consideration of $287M
0.0B
0.9B
0.6B
3.1B
0%
23%
16%
78%
Total SB
Shares
Total SB
Owner-
ship


Stronger, Better Capitalized Competitor
SoftBank total primary investment of $5 billion
Strengthens Sprint’s balance sheet and provides capital for continued network
build-out
Transaction allows Sprint to implement SoftBank's operational and technology
expertise
Synergies and performance improvements allow for reallocation of
cash to
stockholders:
Eight months of cooperative efforts between Sprint and SoftBank management
has resulted in high visibility to operating and capital expenditure reductions
New Sprint will retain financial flexibility to compete with large, well capitalized
competitors
7


SoftBank Subscriber Growth
(millions)
2012 Wireless EBITDA Margins
’06
’13
CAGR:
+
17%
Source: Company filings, investor presentations
Source: Company filings, investor presentations
Note: Includes SoftBank Mobile (including communication modules), Willcom, and EMOBILE’s accumulated subscribers.
SoftBank acquired
Vodafone Japan
in March 2006
SoftBank Has Extensive Wireless Experience
Driving Growth and Margin
8


SoftBank Transaction Provides Global
Scale Benefits
Sprint + SoftBank will be the world’s third largest seller of smartphones (significant economies of scale)
Sprint will leverage SoftBank’s experience in building out LTE on 2.5 GHz spectrum to improve the
customer experience: (1) accelerated expansion of nationwide footprint (2) faster data speeds
(3) increased capacity
Given the complementary nature of Sprint and SoftBank’s businesses, including a shared history of
technical and marketing innovations and the potential for purchasing power synergies, the transaction
provides the opportunity to further enhance Sprint’s standalone record of consumer service and
innovation in the telecommunications market
99mm
86mm
78mm
58mm
38mm
35mm
Verizon
Softbank + Sprint
AT&T
NTT Docomo
KDDI
T-mobile + Metro
Softbank
39mm
Sprint
47mm
(1)
Note: SoftBank subscribers as of 4/31/2013 and all others as of 3/31/2013.
(1) Total wireless subscribers excluding communication modules. Softbank subscribers pro forma for Mobile, Willcom, and EMOBILE’s accumulated subscribers.
(1)
Retail Wireless Subscribers
9


Process Led by Experienced and
Independent Special Committee
10
Larry Glasscock
Chairman of
Special Committee
Former Chairman of
WellPoint, Inc.
James H. Hance
Chairman of
Sprint Nextel Board
Senior Advisor to
The Carlyle Group
V. Janet Hill
Director
Principal of Hill
Family Advisors
William R. Nuti
Director
Chairman, CEO &
President of NCR
Corporation
Rodney O’Neal
Director
President & CEO of
Delphi Automotive
Other Experience:
Director of Simon
Property Group,
Sysco Corporation
and Zimmer Holdings
Sprint director since
August 2007
Other Experience:
Previous Vice
Chairman of BAML
Director of Duke
Energy Corporation,
Cousins Properties
Incorporated, Ford
Motor Company and
The Carlyle Group
Sprint director since
February 2005
Other Experience:
Prior VP Alexander &
Associates, Inc.
Director of The
Carlyle Group, The
Wendy’s Company,
Dean Foods, Inc. and
Nextel
Communications, Inc.
Sprint director since
2005
Other Experience:
Prior President, CEO
and COO of Symbol
Technologies, Inc
Prior dual Sr. VP of
Worldwide Service
Provider Operations
and U.S. Theater
Operations at Cisco
Systems
Sprint director since
June 2008
Other Experience:
Exec. VP of the
former Delphi Safety,
Thermal & Electrical
Architecture Sector,
President of
Dynamics, Propulsion,
and Thermal Sector of
Delphi Automotive
Sprint director since
August 2007
Financial
Advisor:
BofA
Merrill
Lynch;
Legal
Counsel:
Shearman
&
Sterling
LLP;
Network
&
Spectrum
Consultant: Spectrum Management Consulting; Regulatory Counsel: Bingham McCutchen LLP


Key Special Committee Considerations in
Evaluating DISH Preliminary Proposal
Economic
terms
have
not
changed
since
April
15th
Uncertainty surrounding the DISH proposal, including:
DISH has not submitted an actionable offer despite Special Committee deadline of June 6th
The increased time to close (1H14)
DISH’s not providing a combined operational and financial plan
The status of DISH’s funding commitments
The interim funding needs of the company
The risks inherent in the leverage of the pro forma combined DISH/Sprint
11


Transaction Process Highlights
12
Established
objective process
Special Committee promptly formed upon receiving April 15 DISH proposal
Promptly retained independent advisors
Ensured
comprehensive &
rigorous review by
staying proactive &
responsive
Obtained waivers and non-disclosure agreements that allowed Sprint to furnish
non-public information to, and to engage with, DISH
Sprint has complied with nearly all of DISH’s voluminous diligence requests
Sprint management and Special Committee advisors have had 9 face-to-face
meetings and numerous conference calls with DISH to try to advance their offer
Sprint completed due diligence on DISH
Dedicated to
thorough
consideration
of options to
maximize
shareholder value
Special Committee met 15 times since inception
Special Committee met with, and provided information to, DISH and listened to
their explanation and plans
Special Committee also engaged with Softbank to garner improved terms


Frequently Asked Process Questions
13
Why did it take so
long to engage DISH?
Original DISH proposal (4/15/13) was a letter (no merger agreement or
commitment letters)
In order to engage in discussions, the board/special committee needed
to establish that the proposal was reasonably likely to lead to a
superior proposal
To make this determination, any required financing must be found
to be fully committed or reasonably determined to be available
DISH provided a draft merger agreement on 5/2/13
DISH provided unsigned draft commitment letter on 5/13/13
Ultimately, Sprint was able to secure a waiver under the SoftBank
merger agreement in order to have discussions with DISH on 5/20/13
Did DISH get access
to the diligence
information it needed?
DISH had originally requested a two-week confirmatory diligence
period
9 in-person and over 12 telephonic meetings with DISH
Made available more than 2,000 documents


Special Committee Ran a Robust Process That
Delivered Additional Value For Stockholders
14
4/15
DISH proposal announced
Did not include financing commitments or mark-up of merger agreement
Special Committee is formed
Retains independent financial and legal advisors
4/20
Special
Committee
request
additional
details
about
DISH
proposal
in
order
to be able to evaluate it
4/24
DISH provides limited response to Special Committee request.
DISH sends letter to Special Committee, states confirmatory due diligence
should be completed in two weeks from receiving access.
4/26
To facilitate DISH’s ability to provide information to it, Special Committee
obtains
waiver
from
Softbank
to
permit
Special
Committee
to
meet
with
DISH and obtain information.
4/27
Special Committee provides confidentiality agreement to DISH, but doesn’t
receive any reaction until late the following day
4/30
DISH and Sprint execute confidentiality agreement


Special Committee Ran a Robust Process That
Delivered Additional Value For Stockholders
15
5/2
DISH provides draft merger agreement
5/3
Special Committee advisors and Sprint management meet with DISH
DISH presents financing plan and analysis of regulatory issues
5/9
DISH presents high level business plan and synergy estimates
DISH represents that financing commitments are prepared, but will only
be delivered as “final item”
5/13
DISH provides “redacted”
forms of financing commitments (unsigned)
5/16
DISH represents that executed financing commitments will be delivered
5/17; commitments not actually delivered until 5/23
5/20
Special Committee obtains waiver from Softbank to allow it to provide
non-public information to, and to negotiate with, DISH
Special Committee provides draft confidentiality agreement to DISH
Special Committee requests definitive proposal by June 6
5/21
Confidentiality
agreement
signed;
DISH
initial
diligence
request
not
provided to Sprint until late the following day


Special Committee Ran a Robust Process That
Delivered Additional Value For Stockholders
16
5/22
Sprint begins to provide written information in an electronic data room
5/24 -
6/10
9 in person diligence meetings in New York, Kansas City, Denver and
Washington D.C.
5/28
Special Committee advisers have conference call with DISH advisors
to raise issues with DISH draft merger agreement
5/29
Sprint makes management presentation to DISH regarding its network
plans
Later that day, DISH announces tender offer for Clearwire
5/31
DISH advises that it will not respond to merger agreement issues
raised by Special Committee, but requests mark-up
Numerous conference calls to provide information to DISH
DISH has continued to make additional diligence requests to Sprint
throughout this time period; Sprint has complied with substantially all
of these requests
Special Committee completes due diligence on DISH


Special Committee Ran a Robust Process That
Delivered Additional Value For Stockholders
17
6/1
DISH requests in-person meeting with Special Committee
6/3
Sprint provides mark up of merger agreement.
Special Committee sends letter to DISH confirming request for
definitive proposal by June 6 and agrees to meet with DISH on June 7
to discuss proposal.
6/6
DISH
sends
letter
to
Special
Committee
advising
that
it
will
not
provide
proposal that day
6/7
Special Committee meets with DISH
DISH does not put forward firm proposal


Revised offer maximizes value and certainty for Sprint shareholders, including:
Increased pro-rata cash consideration from $4.02 to $5.50 / share
On track to regulatory approval and closing in July
Sprint + Softbank positions New Sprint better than ever before vis-à-vis key
competitors in the market
Significant capital to accelerate network build out
Enhanced scale
Expertise in deployment of 2.5GHz spectrum for LTE
Sprint shareholders will own 22% of New Sprint, providing shareholders an
opportunity to participate in the upside created by a better capitalized and more
capable New Sprint
Sprint
board
of
directors
unanimously
recommends
shareholders
vote
‘FOR’
the
merger
18


Appendix
19


Share Calculation
Today
@ Closing
5-Year Warrant
Sprint @
Common
Step 2a
(1)
Purchase to
Step 2b
55mm
Step 2c
(2)
($ in billions, shares in millions)
Market
issuance
Sprint
$12.14bn Secondar
Sprint
Warrant
Sprint
Existing common shares
3,023
--
3,023
(2,175)
848
--
848
Common shares issued to Softbank
--
304
304
--
304
--
304
Purchase outstanding Sprint shares
--
--
--
2,175
2,175
--
2,175
Total common shares
3,023
304
3,327
--
3,327
--
3,327
Dilution
(3)
34
--
34
--
35
--
35
Conversion shares / Warrant
590
--
590
--
590
55
645
Fully-diluted shares
3,647
304
3,951
--
3,952
55
4,007
Softbank beneficial shares
590
894
3,070
3,124
Softbank beneficial ownership %
16%
23%
78%
78%
Cumulative investment
$3.1
$5.0
$21.6
$21.9
Price
$5.25
$6.25
$7.65
$5.25
Shares per Step
590
304
2,175
55
(1) Per share amount under Step 2a is implied based on contemplated amount of total equity contribution.
(2) Per share amount under Step 2c is implied based on warrant exercisable for shares of Parent (Sprint post-merger).
(3) Dilution based on treasury stock method.  Sprint at market, Steps 1 and 2a assume $7.24 stock price (6/7/2013 close).  Steps 2b and 2c assume $7.65 stock price.
20