EX-10.1



 Exhibit 10.1 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

This Agreement is made and entered into December 15, 2014 and effective as of January 2, 2015 (the “Effective
Date”) by and between Spark Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Michael Egan, an individual resident in California (“Executive”). 

WITNESSETH: 
 WHEREAS, the
Company desires to retain Executive as a Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the Effective Date and Executive so desires to be retained. 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, covenant
and agree as follows: 
  

	1.	EMPLOYMENT 

 (a) The Company hereby employs Executive as of the Effective Date to render
services to the Company in the position of Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall perform such duties commensurate with his position, subject to the control of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), for the overall
strategic direction and leadership of the Company. Executive will report to the Board. 
 (b) Throughout the Term (as defined below),
Executive shall devote his full business time and undivided attention to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, except for reasonable vacations and except for illness or incapacity, but nothing in the Agreement shall preclude
Executive from engaging in charitable and public service activities provided such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. 

 

	2.	TERM 

 This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, and shall continue through
December 31, 2015, unless earlier terminated, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth (the “Term”). 
  

	3.	COMPENSATION 

 For services rendered by Executive during the Term of this Agreement, and for his
performance of all additional obligations of employment, the Company agrees to pay Executive and Executive agrees to accept the following salary, other compensation, and benefits: 

(a) Sign-on Incentive. Executive will be paid a one-time signing bonus of $45,000, to be paid ninety days after commencement of
employment; provided, that Executive has not been terminated for Cause (as defined in Section 4(f)) or has resigned without Good Reason (as defined in Section 4(f)) during such ninety day period. 

(b) Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the annual rate
of $300,000 to be paid evenly over the course of the year in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll policies. 
 (c)
Short-Term Annual Incentive. In addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to receive a short-term annual incentive (“STI”) based upon specific operational goals to be determined by the Board. These operational
goals will be set and mutually agreed upon with the Executive no later than 60 days following the Executive’s start date. Executive’s target STI for 2015 will be $150,000 with a minimum guaranteed payment of $75,000. Any STI payment above
$75,000 will be conditional on Executive’s achievement of specific operational goals, to be determined by the Board, with respect to product development, key hires, community engagement plans, system development (platforms) and marketing
testing related to product introductions. In the event of termination by the Company for Cause (as defined in Section 4(f)) or by Executive without Good Reason (as defined in Section 4(f)), Executive will not be eligible for any STI
payment. For all other terminations, payment of any STI beyond the $75,000 minimum payment, will be made at the discretion of the Board. 

  
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 (d) Economic Performance Incentive. Based upon Executive’s satisfaction of goals as
determined by the Compensation Committee, Executive shall be granted restricted stock units (“RSU’s”) in the Company under the Company’s 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) based upon annually set
tiered goals established by the Compensation Committee related to (1) revenue levels and (2) EBITDA levels. The goals determined by the Compensation Committee will be agreed upon with the Executive no later than 60 days following the
Executive’s start date. Executive will be required to have satisfied clauses (1) and (2) to be eligible for a grant of RSU’s. For 2015, the tiers for the number of RSU’s for which Executive may be eligible are as follows:

 (i) Base: 30,000 RSU’s 

(ii) Goal: 60,000 RSU’s 

(iii) Stretch: 100,000 RSU’s 
 Any such
grant of RSU’s will vest on the one year anniversary following the close of the 2015 fiscal year (December 31, 2015). In the event of termination of employment by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section 4(f)) or by Executive for
Good Reason (as defined in Section 4(f)), any granted but unvested RSU’s will continue to vest according to schedule. In the event of termination for any other reason, any granted but unvested RSU’s will be forfeited. 

(e) Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate, as long as he is an employee of the Company, in any and all of the
Company’s present or future employee benefit plans, including without limitation pension plans, thrift and savings plans, insurance plans, and other benefits that are generally applicable to the Company’s executives; provided, however,
that the accrual and/or receipt by Executive of benefits under and pursuant to any such present or future employee benefit plan shall be determined by the provisions of such plan. 

(f) Business Expenses. Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the conduct of the
Company’s business upon presentation of evidence of such expenditures, including but not limited to travel expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties and professional organization dues. 

4.        TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 4, either the Company or
Executive may terminate Executive’s employment at any time, with or without Cause (as defined in Section 4(f)), during the Term. Any termination of Executive’s employment during the Term shall be communicated by written notice of
termination from the terminating party to the other party (“Notice of Termination”). The Notice of Termination shall indicate the specific provision(s) of this Agreement relied upon in effecting the termination and a written
statement of the reason(s) for the termination. A Notice of Termination provided by either party shall not be effective for a period of thirty (30) days after receipt of such Notice of Termination by the other party. In the event
Executive’s employment is terminated by either party, for any reason, during the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay to Executive upon Executive’s termination of employment (i) the prorated Base Salary earned as of the date of
Executive’s termination of employment, plus (ii) the accrued but unused vacation as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment, plus (iii) such STI payment to which Executive is eligible, subject to the terms of
Section 3(c). Any unvested equity interests held by Executive shall be forfeited upon the employment termination date, except as otherwise provided herein. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4 or in any other agreement between
the Company and Executive, the Company shall have no further obligation to make or provide to Executive, and Executive shall have no further right to receive or obtain from the Company, any payments or benefits in respect of the termination of
Executive’s employment with the Company during the Term of Employment. 

  
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 (a) Severance upon Involuntary Termination without Cause and Termination by Executive with
Good Reason. In the event that the Company causes to occur an involuntary termination without Cause (as defined in Section 4(f)) or in the event that Executive resigns from employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined in
Section 4(f)) during the Term, Executive shall be entitled to a “Severance Package” that consists of the following: (a) a single cash lump-sum “Severance Payment” equal to $150,000, payment to be made on the
thirtieth (30th) day following termination, (b) reimbursement of any COBRA payments paid by Executive in the twelve (12) month period following Executive’s termination of employment, and (c) a pro-rata granting of RSU’s
pursuant to Executive’s Economic Performance Incentive based on the number of days worked during the period of employment and on the Board’s good faith evaluation of Executive’s performance. If any plan pursuant to which severance
benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5) or the Company is otherwise unable
to continue to cover Executive under its group health plans without substantial adverse tax consequences, then an amount equal to each remaining premium payment shall thereafter be paid to Executive as currently taxable compensation in substantially
equal monthly installments over the continuation coverage period (or the remaining portion thereof). Executive’s eligibility for any Severance Package will be conditional on Executive executing, within the thirty (30)-day period following
termination, a Separation Agreement that includes a general mutual release by the Company and Executive in favor of the other and their successors, affiliates and estates to the fullest extent permitted by law, drafted by and in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and Executive, and Executive not revoking the mutual general release within any legally required revocation period, if applicable. All legally required and authorized deductions and tax withholdings shall be made from the
Severance Payment, including for wage garnishments, if applicable, to the extent required or permitted by law. Effective immediately upon termination of employment, Executive shall no longer be eligible to contribute to or to receive additional
Company contributions as an active participant in any retirement or benefit plan covering employees of the Company, but shall continue to have all rights under each such plan that are afforded to terminated employees and inactive participants. 

(b) Effect of Death or Disability. In the event that Executive dies or terminates employment by reason of a Disability (as defined in
Section 4(f)) during the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to (i) payment of the unpaid prorated Base Salary earned as of the date of Executive’s death or Disability (the “Measurement Date”), and
(ii) reimbursement of any COBRA payments paid by Executive or his estate or beneficiaries in the twelve (12) month period following the Measurement Date; provided, however, that if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is
not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5) or the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover
Executive under its group health plans without substantial adverse tax consequences, then an amount equal to each remaining premium payment shall thereafter be paid to Executive or his estate or beneficiaries as currently taxable compensation in
substantially equal monthly installments over the continuation coverage period (or the remaining portion thereof). All legally required and authorized deductions and tax withholdings shall be made from the payments described in the previous
sentence, including for wage garnishments, if applicable, to the extent required or permitted by law. Payment under this Section 4(b) shall be made not more than once, if at all. In addition, Executive or Executive’s estate shall have such
rights with respect to Executive’s Membership Units as provided for in the Operating Agreement. 
 (c) Statement Regarding
Termination of Employment. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause, or Executive resigns for Good Reason, Executive and the Company will negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement on a statement reflecting a
benign reason for termination or resignation. 
 (d) Ineligibility for Severance. Executive shall not be entitled to any Severance
Package under this Agreement, if at any time during the Term of Employment, either (a) Executive voluntarily resigns or otherwise terminates employment with the Company other than for Good Reason, or (b) the Company properly terminates
Executive’s employment with Cause. Effective immediately upon termination of employment, Executive shall no longer be eligible to contribute to or to be an active participant in any retirement or benefit plan covering employees of the Company.

 (e) Taxes and Withholdings. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement, including any benefits or
Severance Payment, such federal, state or local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to applicable law or regulations, which amounts shall be deemed to have been paid to Executive. 

  
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 (f) Definitions. 

(i) “Cause” shall mean the occurrence during the Term of any of the following: (i) formal admission to (including a plea
of guilty or nolo contendere to), or conviction of a felony, or any criminal offence involving Executive’s moral turpitude under any applicable law, (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct by Executive in the performance of
Executive’s material duties required by this Agreement and such negligence or misconduct has been communicated to Executive in the form of a written notice from the Board, and that Executive has not substantially cured within thirty
(30) days following receipt by Executive of such written notice; or (iii) material breach of this Agreement by Executive which breach has been communicated to Executive in the form of a written notice from the Board, and that Executive has
not substantially cured within thirty (30) days following receipt by Executive of such written notice. 
 (ii)
“Disability” shall mean, to the extent consistent with applicable federal and state law (including, without limitation Section 409A), Executive’s inability by reason of physical or mental illness to fulfill his obligations
hereunder for ninety (90) consecutive days or for a total of one hundred and eighty (180) days in any twelve (12) month period which, in the reasonable opinion of an independent physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative, renders Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his job, even after reasonable accommodations are made by the Company. The Company is not, however, required
to make unreasonable accommodations for Executive or accommodations that would create an undue hardship on the Company. 
 (iii)
“Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence during the Term of Employment of any of the following: (i) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company which is not cured by the Company within thirty (30) days following the
Company’s receipt of written notice by Executive to the Company describing such alleged breach; (ii) Executive’s Base Salary, Annual Bonus target or other bonus opportunity is reduced by the Company or the terms and conditions for
equity agreements are not fully complied with by the Company; (iii) a reduction in Executive’s title, or a material reduction in Executive’s duties, authorities, and/or responsibilities; or (iv) a requirement by the Company,
without Executive’s consent, that Executive relocate to a location greater than thirty-five (35) miles from Executive’s place of residence. Notwithstanding the above, the occurrence of any of the events described in the foregoing
sentence shall not constitute Good Reason unless Executive gives the Company written notice, within thirty (30) calendar days after Executive has knowledge of the occurrence of any of the events described in the foregoing sentence, that such
circumstances constitute Good Reason and the Company thereafter fails to cure such circumstances within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice. 

(iv) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (“Code”) and all
applicable guidance promulgated thereunder. 
 (g) Nonduplication of Benefits. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or in
any other Company benefit plan or compensatory arrangement to the contrary, (a) any payments due under either Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) shall be made not more than once, if at all, (b) payments may be due under either
Section 4(a) or Section 4(b), but under no circumstances shall payments be made under both Section 4(a) and Section 4(b), and (c) Executive shall not be entitled to severance benefits from the Company other than as
contemplated under this Agreement, unless such other severance benefits provide for larger benefits than under this Agreement. 
  

	5.	NON-SOLICIT. 

 (a) During Executive’s employment with the Company, and for a period of
twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive will not knowingly, separately or in association with others, materially and substantially interfere with, impair, disrupt or damage the Company’s relationship with any of the customers of the
Company with whom Executive has had contact by contacting them for the purpose of inducing or encouraging any of them to divert or take away business from the Company and to an enterprise that is in direct competition with the Company Business;
provided, however, that none of the foregoing restrictions shall preclude Executive from being employed by a consulting, financial or advisory firm that provides any advice or services to a person, enterprise or business that is in competition with
the Company so long as Executive does not personally provide such advice or services to the competing person, enterprise or business. 

  
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 (b) During Executive’s employment with the Company, and for a period of twelve
(12) months thereafter, Executive will not, knowingly, separately or in association with others, materially and substantially, interfere with, impair, disrupt or damage the Company’s business by directly contacting any Company officers or
key employees for the purpose of inducing or encouraging them to discontinue their employment with the Company; provided, however, that the foregoing provisions shall not (i) restrict Executive from directly or indirectly making any general
solicitation for employees, making a public advertising or participating in any job fairs or recruiting workshops or (ii) preclude Executive from soliciting and/or hiring any officer, key employee or other person at any time (A) in the
case of voluntary terminations, later than six (6) months after such person’s termination of employment from the Company and (B) in the case of all other terminations, after such person’s termination of employment from the
Company. 
  

	6.	WITHHOLDING 

 All amounts payable hereunder which are or may become subject to withholding under
pertinent provisions of law or regulation shall be reduced for applicable income and/or employment taxes required to be withheld. 
  

	7.	INSURANCE 

 (a) During the Term of this Agreement and thereafter, the Company shall indemnify
Executive to the fullest extent permitted under California law from and against any expenses (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, expenses of investigation and preparation and fees and disbursements of Executive’s accountants or
other experts), judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Executive in connection with any proceeding in which Executive was or is made party or was or is involved (for example, as a witness) by
reason of the fact Executive was or is employed by or serving as an officer or director of the Company or any of its affiliates. Such indemnification shall continue as to Executive during the Term of this Agreement and for so long thereafter as
Executive may have exposure with respect to acts or omissions which occurred prior to his cessation of employment with the Company and shall inure to the benefit of Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall advance to
Executive all costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with any proceeding covered by this provision within 20 calendar days after receipt by the Company of a written request for such advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by
Executive to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses. 

(b) The Company agrees to purchase and maintain adequate Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance from a reputable, nationally
recognized and financially sound insurer with provisions that will provide coverage for Executive as a director, officer and employee as well as coverage as a former director, officer and employee following any termination of this Agreement or
Executive’s employment and service on the Board. Such insurance shall inure to the benefit of Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators. 
  

	8.	CHANGE IN CONTROL. 

 (a) In the event of a Change in Control (as defined below), 100% of any
RSU’s granted to Executive under Section 3(d) that are not yet vested shall vest immediately upon such Change in Control. If such Change of Control occurs prior to Executive being awarded any RSU’s under Section 3(d), Executive
shall be granted, and fully vested in, the “Stretch” number of RSU’s (100,000 RSU’s) immediately prior to such Change of Control becoming effective. 

(b) “Change in Control” shall mean (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
1934 Securities Exchange Act) or group becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Securities Exchange Act) or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; (ii) the consummation of the sale, lease or other disposition by the Company of all or


  
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substantially all of the Company’s assets (including any equity interests in subsidiaries); (iii) the consummation of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iv) the
consummation of a merger, consolidation, business combination, scheme of arrangement, share exchange or similar transaction involving the Company and any other corporation (“Business Combination”), other than a Business Combination
which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least
fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such Business Combination or (v) any combination of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely as a result of (x) a repurchase or redemption of securities (which is open to all stockholders) by the Company done in the ordinary course of business and
the purpose of which is not to effect a Change of Control or (y) a rights issue, recapitalization, capitalization, sub-division or consolidation or a share capital reduction and any other variation of the capital of the Company and/or rights in
respect thereof, or capital distribution (being any distribution, whether in cash or in other specie, out of capital profits or capital reserves (including share premium account and any capital redemption reserve fund)) so long as in each instance
it is done either as part of a reincorporation merger or in the ordinary course of business and in any event is not done to effect a Change of Control. 
  

	9.	MISCELLANEOUS 

 (a) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Executive shall not be entitled to assign any of Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without the Company’s written consent, provided that upon
Executive’s death, Executive’s named beneficiaries, estate or heirs, as the case may be, shall succeed to all of Executive’s rights under this Agreement. 

(a) Nonexclusivity Rights. Executive is not prevented from continuing or future participation in any Company benefit, bonus, incentive
or other plans, programs, policies or practices provided by the Company subject to the terms and conditions of such plans, programs, or practices. 

(b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, oral or written, with respect to employment of
Executive and constitutes the entire Agreement with respect thereto. This Agreement cannot be altered or terminated orally and may be amended only by a subsequent written agreement executed by both of the parties hereto or their legal
representatives, and any material amendment must be approved by a majority of the voting shareholders of the Company. 
 (c) Waiver.
Either party’s failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, or prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement 

(d) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. 

(e) Litigation Costs and Expenses. In any action to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be reimbursed by
the non-prevailing party for such prevailing party’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, including the costs of enforcing a judgment. 

(f) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of any other provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect. 
 (g) Interpretation; Construction. The headings set forth in
this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement. This Agreement has been drafted by legal counsel representing the Company, but Executive has participated in the negotiation of its terms. Furthermore,
Executive acknowledges that Executive has had an opportunity to review and revise the Agreement and have it reviewed by legal counsel, if desired, and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved
against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement. 

  
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 (h) Arbitration. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by arbitration in Los Angeles, California before
three arbitrator(s). The arbitration shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. Judgment on the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. This clause shall not preclude parties from
seeking provisional remedies in aid of arbitration from a court of appropriate jurisdiction, in which case each party consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Los Angeles, California. All forum costs related
to such arbitration shall be borne by the Company. 
 (i) Notices. Any notices, requests or other communications provided for by this
Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent by registered or certified mail to Executive at the last address he has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its principal offices. 

 

	10.	COMPLIANCE WITH CODE SECTION 409A 

 With respect to any compensation payable or benefits to be
provided under this Agreement that are subject to Section 409A, this Agreement is intended to comply with the provisions of Section 409A. In furtherance of this intent, to the extent that any compensation payable or benefits to be provided
under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A, this Agreement shall be interpreted, operated, and administered in a manner consistent with these intentions, and the parties agree to amend this Agreement further (if necessary) in order to
avoid the adverse tax consequences of Section 409A. 
 [Signature Page Follows] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above
written. 
  

			
	SPARK NETWORKS, INC.
		
	By:	 	/s/ Michael J. McConnell
	Name:	 	Michael J. McConnell
	Title:	 	Executive Chairman
	
	MICHAEL EGAN
	
	/s/ Michael Egan