BHR - BRAEMAR HOTELS & RESORTS AND BLACKWELLS CAPITAL ENTER INTO COOPERATION AGREEMENT | Benzinga
Blackwells to Withdraw Proxy Solicitation and Vote in Favor of All Braemar Nominees and Proposals
Company to Add Independent Director with Input from Blackwells, Which Will Become a Significant Shareholder
DALLAS, July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:BHR) ("Braemar" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into a cooperation agreement (the "Cooperation Agreement") with Blackwells Capital LLC ("Blackwells").
Under the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, Blackwells will withdraw its director nomination notice and proposals, cease soliciting proxies and vote in favor of all Braemar directors and proposals at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). Braemar and Blackwells have agreed to release all legal claims arising prior to the settlement and dismiss their respective actions.
Richard J. Stockton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Braemar, stated: "We are pleased to have reached this outcome, which we believe is in the best interests of all our shareholders. We can now return our full focus to optimally managing our unique portfolio of world-class assets, enhancing our capital structure and financial flexibility, and maximizing shareholder value. We are extremely excited for Braemar's future, and look forward to working with Blackwells as a significant shareholder."
As part of the Cooperation Agreement, Blackwells has committed to purchase 3.5 million shares of Braemar's stock in the open market, financed in part by Braemar. Braemar will also add an additional independent director to its Board of Directors and will consider Blackwells' input in this selection.
Jason Aintabi, Chief Investment Officer of Blackwells, said, "We look forward to supporting Braemar's Board and leadership team, and to becoming one of Braemar's largest shareholders. We believe Braemar will execute their strategy to maximize the value of the Company's high-quality assets, and we look forward to continuing to build a constructive relationship with the Company moving forward."
Blackwells has entered into a multi-year standstill with voting commitments in connection with the Cooperation Agreement. The agreement will be filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a Current Report ...