MGM announced this morning that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved the studio’s plan of reorganization so that it can emerge soon from Chapter 11. The full announcement:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the Court) has approved the companys pre-packaged plan of reorganization (the Plan), clearing the way for MGM and its subsidiaries to emerge from Chapter 11 in short order. In confirming the Plan, Judge Stuart M. Bernstein found that it satisfied the various requirements of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Todays ruling is an important milestone for MGM, said Co-Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cooper. Thanks to the support of our lenders and the hard work of our employees, we have moved through the restructuring process quickly. By dramatically reducing MGMs debt load and providing MGM with access to new capital, the reorganization plan the Court confirmed today will enable MGM to emerge from this process with a solid financial foundation and will position MGM to be a successful studio going forward.
MGM expects the Plan to become effective by mid-December, once the conditions of effectiveness have been met. Upon its emergence, the Companys secured lenders will exchange approximately $5 billion, including accrued interest and fees, for most of the equity in MGM. MGM will be led by Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, who will serve as Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officers of MGM Inc. MGM previously received approval, on November 12, 2010, from the Court on its motion to retain JPMorgan Chase to arrange $500 million in exit financing to fund operations, including production of a new slate of films and television series, and expects to have that exit financing funded by mid-December.
The Companys restructuring counsel are Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern LLP, its restructuring advisor is Zolfo Cooper, and its financial advisor is Moelis & Company.
