Document:

Exhibit 10.3

 

Social Award Agreement

 

This Social Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of May 7, 2019 by and between SciPlay Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“SciPlay”), and Barry L. Cottle (“Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, Scientific Games Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“SciGames”), and Executive entered into an Employment Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2018 and effective as of June 1, 2018 (the “Employment Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Executive was entitled to receive incentive compensation from SciGames pursuant to a 2018-2020 LTIP in return for Executive’s services on behalf of, and benefiting, SciGames’ Social Gaming business since January 1, 2018;

 

WHEREAS, SciGames and Executive entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of May 7 2019, that would cancel Executive’s right to the 2018-2020 LTIP conditioned upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, which provides the Social Award (as defined below) as a replacement award for the 2018-2020 LTIP, and the effectiveness of the grant of the Social Award;

 

WHEREAS, SciGames has been pursuing a potential initial public offering of a minority stake in its Social Gaming business, which would involve the issuance and sale of shares of Class A common stock of SciPlay (such shares, the “SciPlay Shares” and, such offering, the “Social IPO”);

 

WHEREAS, following the Social IPO, SciPlay will be the sole manager of SciPlay Parent Company, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“SciPlay Parent”);

 

WHEREAS, in anticipation of, and following, the Social IPO, Executive is expected to serve as Executive Chairman of SciPlay and provide substantial services on behalf of SciPlay and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including SciPlay Parent; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Social IPO, the parties desire to provide Executive with a long-term incentive award on the terms and conditions set forth below.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual benefits to be derived herefrom and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the consummation of the Social IPO (such date, the “Effective Date”). The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement is expressly contingent upon the consummation of the Social IPO and that in the event SciGames determines not to consummate the Social IPO, this Agreement shall be null and void ab initio.

 

2.                                      Definitions.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

a.              “2017 Adjusted EBITDA” means $100 million.

 

b.              “2017 Revenue” means $360 million.

 

1

 

c.               “2020 Adjusted EBITDA” means Adjusted EBITDA for SciPlay and its subsidiaries for the 2020 fiscal year excluding: (i) non-recurring or one-time financial results that the Committee determines must be excluded to ensure 2017 Adjusted EBITDA and 2020 Adjusted EBITDA are calculated on the same basis; (ii) the impact (positive or negative) of any acquisitions, joint ventures or other similar transactions completed on or after January 1, 2018 (collectively, “Transactions”), as determined by the Committee; and (iii) expenses that the Committee determines would not have been incurred by the Pre-IPO Business, such as expenses associated with being a public company. For the avoidance of doubt, 2020 Adjusted EBITDA shall be calculated on a basis consistent with 2017 Adjusted EBITDA both with respect to accounting principles and types of exclusions in a manner that is not to the benefit or the detriment of Executive; provided that the Committee shall retain discretion to provide for different treatment with respect to different Transactions, based on considerations such as the applicable Transaction’s structure or financing arrangements.

 

d.              “2020 Revenue” means the Revenue of SciPlay and its subsidiaries for the 2020 fiscal year excluding: (i) non-recurring or one-time financial results that the Committee determines must be excluded to ensure 2017 Revenue and 2020 Revenue are calculated on the same basis; and (ii) the impact (positive or negative) of any Transactions, as determined by the Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, 2020 Revenue shall be calculated on a basis consistent with 2017 Revenue both with respect to accounting principles and types of exclusions in a manner that is not to the benefit or the detriment of Executive; provided that the Committee shall retain discretion to provide for different treatment with respect to different Transactions, based on considerations such as the applicable Transaction’s structure or financing arrangements.

 

e.               “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of SciPlay.

 

f.                “Adjusted EBITDA” means earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization expense, adjusted to exclude:  (i) contingent acquisition consideration; (ii) restructuring and other, which includes charges or expenses attributable to: (1) employee severance; (2) management changes; (3) restructuring and integration; (4) M&A and other, which includes: (A) M&A transaction costs; (B) purchase accounting adjustments; (C) unusual items (including certain legal settlements); and (D) other non-cash items; and (5) cost-savings initiatives; (iii) stock-based compensation expense; (iv) loss (gain) on debt financing transactions; and (v) other non-operating expenses (income) including foreign currency (gains) and losses.

 

g.               “Plan” means the SciPlay Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan or, if by a different name, the long-term equity incentive plan of SciPlay in effect upon the consummation of the Social IPO.

 

h.              “Pre-IPO Business” means SciGames’ Social Gaming business, which for the 2017 fiscal year was comprised of SG Nevada Holding Company II, LLC (now known as SG Social Holding Company II, LLC) and all of its subsidiaries; provided that the Committee shall determine what constitutes the Pre-IPO Business.

 

i.                  “Qualifying SciPlay Termination” means a termination of Executive’s employment as Executive Chairman by SciPlay without Cause or a termination of Executive’s employment as Executive Chairman by Executive for Good Reason. Good Reason as used in this definition shall also include a termination of Executive’s employment as Executive

 

2

 

Chairman of SciPlay as a result of SciGames requiring Executive to resign his position as Executive Chairman of SciPlay in order to retain a position with SciGames or its affiliates.

 

j.                 “Revenue” means revenue, as determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

 

3.                                      Social Award Grant. The “Social Award” shall consist of performance-conditioned restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) with respect to SciPlay Shares.  The Social Award shall be granted effective as of the later of the consummation of the Social IPO and the first date on which the Plan has been approved by the Board of Directors of SciPlay and SciPlay’s stockholders. The target number of PRSUs subject to the Social Award shall be equal to the number of SciPlay Shares determined by dividing $12 million by the initial offering price of a SciPlay Share in the Social IPO, as determined by the Pricing Committee (or other applicable committee) of the Board of Directors of SciPlay.

 

4.                                      Vesting. Provided (x) Executive remains an employee or director of SciPlay or any of its subsidiaries or of SciGames or any of its subsidiaries, in either case, through December 31, 2020 or (y) if Executive’s employment is terminated earlier by SciPlay and SciGames and their respective subsidiaries without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason (in the case of (y), subject to Executive’s compliance with Section 4(k) of the Employment Agreement), one-third of the target number of PRSUs subject to the Social Award shall vest and become payable based on 2020 Revenue (the “Revenue PRSUs”) and two-thirds of the target number of PRSUs subject to the Social Award shall vest and become payable based on 2020 Adjusted EBITDA (the “AEBITDA PRSUs”), in each case, as set forth below; provided that, in the event that Executive receives a notice of termination without Cause from either SciPlay or SciGames and not from the other entity, then Executive shall also be deemed to have been terminated without Cause from such other entity if (1) Executive has incurred a “separation from service” (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)) from such other entity as a result of such other entity reducing the scope of services to be provided by Executive and (2) there has not been a finding by such other entity that grounds for termination of Executive’s employment for Cause exist.

 

a.              The Revenue PRSUs shall be forfeited in their entirety if 2020 Revenue does not exceed 2017 Revenue, and shall vest at target if 2020 Revenue equals or exceeds $720 million.  If 2020 Revenue is between 2017 Revenue and $720 million, the number of Revenue PRSUs that vest shall be determined based on linear interpolation from 0% of the target number of Revenue PRSUs if 2020 Revenue equals 2017 Revenue to 100% of the target number of Revenue PRSUs if 2020 Revenue equals or exceeds $720 million.

 

b.              The AEBITDA PRSUs shall be forfeited in their entirety if 2020 Adjusted EBITDA does not exceed 2017 Adjusted EBITDA, and shall vest at target if 2020 Adjusted EBITDA equals or exceeds $250 million.  If 2020 Adjusted EBITDA is between 2017 Adjusted EBITDA and $250 million, the number of AEBITDA PRSUs that vest shall be determined based on linear interpolation from 0% of the target number of AEBITDA PRSUs if 2020 Adjusted EBITDA equals 2017 Adjusted EBITDA to 100% of the target number of AEBITDA PRSUs if 2020 Adjusted EBITDA equals or exceeds $250 million.

 

c.               Notwithstanding anything in the award agreement to the contrary, the Committee may adjust the number of PRSUs that vest if it determines that, because of changes in the value of SciPlay Shares from the initial offering price of the Social IPO, vesting as set forth above would result in Executive receiving substantially more or less in value than contemplated by the parties. For example, if the stock price at the time of vesting is three times the initial

 

3

 

offering price, such that if the Social Award fully vests Executive would receive SciPlay Shares worth $36 million, the Committee may reduce the number of PRSUs that vest. In no event, however, shall any such increase or reduction in the number of PRSUs that vest result in Executive receiving more or less in value than if the price per share of SciPlay Shares at the time of vesting is unchanged from the initial offering price of the Social IPO.

 

5.                                      Payment. The SciPlay Shares underlying the PRSUs that vest in accordance with Section 4 shall be delivered to Executive as soon as practicable following the date on which SciPlay’s 2020 fiscal year results are audited and approved by the Committee, but in no event later than March 15, 2021.

 

6.                                      The Plan; Change in Control.

 

a.              The Social Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, except to the extent otherwise provided herein, and evidenced by the execution of an award agreement pursuant thereto, but in all respects consistent with the terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no terms of this Agreement shall be altered or diminished in any manner without the written consent of Executive.

 

b.              In the event a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Plan) occurs prior to the determination of the Committee of the number of PRSUs that vest pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement or a forfeiture of the PRSUs in accordance with this Agreement, then (i) if a Qualifying SciPlay Termination occurred prior to such Change in Control, then 2020 Revenue and 2020 Adjusted EBITDA shall be deemed achieved at $720 million and $250 million, respectively, such that Executive shall vest in the target number of PRSUs or (ii) in all other cases, the Social Award shall be treated in accordance with Section 9(a) of the Plan (i.e., vest based on a performance level determined by the Committee); provided that the Committee shall have full discretion to adjust the form of consideration that may be payable in respect of the Social Award in connection with a Change in Control into cash or equity of the successor to, or parent entity of, SciPlay following such Change in Control on a basis providing for equal value at the time of such adjustment.  In the event the PRSUs vest in accordance with this Section 6(b), the consideration underlying such PRSUs shall be delivered to Executive within 15 business days following the occurrence of the Change in Control.

 

7.                                      Taxes and Internal Revenue Code 409A.  All payments made to Executive will be subject to and made in accordance with Section 3(f) of the Employment Agreement. Unless otherwise elected by Executive, with respect to any tax obligation (whether federal, state, local, foreign or otherwise) of Executive arising with respect to the Social Award, SciPlay shall reduce the number of SciPlay Shares due with respect to the Social Award by a number of SciPlay Shares having a fair market value (as determined by the Committee and measured as of the date on which the tax obligation is incurred) sufficient to cover the amount of any applicable tax obligation. To the extent all or a portion of the Social Award constitutes deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, Section 4(g) of the Employment Agreement shall apply to the Social Award, in each case, mutatis mutandis.

 

8.                                      Forfeiture; “Clawback” Policies.  Section 5.6 of the Employment Agreement shall apply to the Social Award, mutatis mutandis.

 

4

 

9.                                      Construction.  The provisions of the Social Award shall be interpreted and administered as determined by the Committee in a manner to prevent duplication of the aggregate opportunity provided hereunder.

 

10.                               Determinations by Committee.  All determinations by the Committee (or by the Board of Directors of SciPlay or any committee thereof) under this Agreement shall be made in its good faith and reasonable discretion, with Executive having the opportunity to provide input to a member of the Committee (or the Board of Directors of SciPlay or any committee thereof, as applicable).  The Committee shall consult with the SciGames Compensation Committee concerning its determinations.

 

11.                               Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be wholly performed within that State, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.  Section 12(b) of the Employment Agreement shall apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

 

12.                               Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

 

13.                               Survivability.  The provisions of this Agreement which by their terms call for performance subsequent to termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, or of this Agreement, shall so survive such termination, whether or not such provisions expressly state that they shall so survive.

 

14.                               Notices.  All notices and other communications to be given or to otherwise be made to any party to this Agreement shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or duly sent by certified mail or by a recognized national courier service, postage or charges prepaid, (a) to SciPlay, at 6601 Bermuda Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119, Attn: General Counsel, (b) to Executive, at the last address shown in the Company’s records, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Gillian Emmett Moldowan, Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, or (c) to such other replacement address as may be designated in writing by the addressee to the addressor.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

5

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement as of May 7, 2019.

 

	
 
    	
SCIPLAY CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Joshua Wilson
    
	
 
    	
Name: Joshua J.   Wilson
    
	
 
    	
Title: Chief   Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/ Barry L. Cottle
    
	
 
    	
Barry L. Cottle
    

 

[Signature Page to Social Award Agreement]Exhibit

EXHIBIT 10.1
NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.
2011 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Nine Energy Service, Inc. 2011 Common Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective February 28, 2017 (the “Plan”), Nine Energy Service, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the individual listed below (“you” or the “Participant”) the number of performance share units (the “PSUs”) set forth below in this Performance Share Unit Grant Notice (this “Grant Notice”). This award of PSUs (this “Award”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Performance Share Unit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

1

	
			
	Participant:
	_____________________

	Date of Grant:
	_____________________ (the “Date of Grant”)

	Award Type and Description:
	Performance Award granted pursuant to Paragraph IX of the Plan. To the extent vested, each PSU represents the right to receive, in the sole discretion of the Committee, either: (i) one share of Common Stock or (ii) a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, in each case, in an amount equal to up to 200% of the Target PSUs (defined below), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement. 
Your right to receive settlement of this Award in an amount ranging from 0% to 200% of the Target PSUs shall vest and become earned and nonforfeitable upon (i) your satisfaction of the continued employment or service requirements described below under “Service Requirement” and (ii) the Committee’s certification of the level of achievement of the Performance Goal (defined below). The portion of the Target PSUs actually earned upon satisfaction of the foregoing requirements is referred to herein as the “Earned PSUs.”

	Target Number of PSUs:
	

_____________________ (“Target PSUs”). 

	Performance Period:
	_____________ (the “Performance Period Commencement Date”) through _____________ (the “Performance Period End Date”).

	Service Requirement:

	Except as provided in Section 2 of the Agreement, you must remain continuously employed by the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, from the Date of Grant through the date the Committee certifies the level of achievement of the Performance Goal (the date of such certification, the “Payout Determination Date”) to be eligible to receive settlement or payment in respect of this Award.

	Performance Goal:
	Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Agreement and herein, the percentage of Target PSUs, if any, that become Earned PSUs during the Performance Period will be determined in accordance with the following table:

	 
	Level of Achievement   
< Threshold
Threshold
Target
Maximum
	Percentage of Target PSUs Earned*
0%
50%
100%
200%

	 
	*The percentage of Target PSUs that become Earned PSUs for performance between the threshold, target and maximum achievement levels shall be calculated using linear interpolation.
The “Performance Goal” for the Performance Period is [___________________], as described in Exhibit B attached hereto.

	Settlement:
	Settlement of the Earned PSUs shall be made in either cash or shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, which shall be paid or delivered to you in accordance with Section 4 of the Agreement. 

2

By your signature below, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. You acknowledge that you have reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety and fully understand all provisions of the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice. You hereby agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions or determinations that arise under the Agreement, the Plan or this Grant Notice. This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts (including portable document format (.pdf) and facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]

3

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Grant Notice to be executed by an officer thereunto duly authorized, and the Participant has executed this Grant Notice, effective for all purposes as provided above.
	
						
	 
	 
	NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

	 
	 
	

	 
	 
	By:
	 

	 
	 
	Title:
	 

	 
	 
	Name:
	 

	 
	 
	

	 
	 
	PARTICIPANT

	 
	 
	

	 
	 
	Name:

SIGNATURE PAGE TO
PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

EXHIBIT A
PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT
This Performance Share Unit Agreement (together with the Grant Notice to which this Agreement and is attached and Exhibit B attached thereto, this “Agreement”) is made as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice to which this Agreement is attached by and between Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and _________ (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan or the Grant Notice.
1.Award. In consideration of the Participant’s past and/or continued employment with the Company or its Affiliates and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, effective as of the Date of Grant, the Company hereby grants to the Participant the number of Target PSUs set forth in the Grant Notice on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. To the extent vested, each PSU represents the right to receive, in the sole discretion of the Committee, either (a) one share of Common Stock or (b) a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan; provided, however, that, depending on the level of performance determined to be attained with respect to the Performance Goal, the portion of the Target PSUs that may vest and become Earned PSUs hereunder in respect of this Award may range from 0% to 200% of the Target PSUs. Unless and until the PSUs have vested and become Earned PSUs in the manner set forth in the Grant Notice, the Participant will have no right to receive any Common Stock or other payments in respect of the PSUs. Prior to settlement of this Award, the PSUs and this Award represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable only from the general assets of the Company.
2.    Vesting of PSUs. 
(a)    Except as otherwise provided in any written employment agreement entered into by and between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, the PSUs shall vest and become Earned PSUs in accordance with the Participant’s satisfaction of the Service Requirement based on the extent to which the Company has satisfied the Performance Goal set forth in the Grant Notice, which shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion following the end of the Performance Period on the Payout Determination Date (and any PSUs that do not become Earned PSUs shall be automatically forfeited). Unless and until the PSUs have vested and become Earned PSUs as described in the preceding sentence, the Participant will have no right to receive any dividends or other distribution with respect to the PSUs. 
(b)    Except as otherwise provided in any written employment agreement entered into by and between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, and in effect at the time the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated, if the Participant has not satisfied the Service Requirement, then upon the termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason, any unearned PSUs (and all rights 

EXHIBIT A-1

arising from such PSUs and from being a holder thereof) will terminate automatically without any further action by the Company and will be forfeited without further notice and at no cost to the Company.
(c)    Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or the Plan to the contrary, in the event of any inconsistency between this Section 2 and any written employment agreement entered into by and between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, the terms of such employment agreement shall control.
3.    Dividend Equivalents. In the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend in respect of its outstanding shares of Common Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, the Participant holds PSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not been settled, the Company shall record the amount of such dividend in a bookkeeping account and pay to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the cash dividends the Participant would have received if the Participant was the holder of record, as of such record date, of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Target PSUs held by the Participant that have not been settled as of such record date, such payment to be made on the date on which any Earned PSUs are settled in accordance with Section 4. For purposes of clarity, if the PSUs (or any portion thereof) are forfeited by the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then the Participant shall also forfeit the Dividend Equivalents, if any, accrued with respect to such forfeited PSUs. No interest will accrue on the Dividend Equivalents between the declaration and payment of the applicable dividends and the settlement of the Dividend Equivalents. 
4.    Settlement of PSUs. As soon as administratively practicable following the Committee’s certification of the level of attainment of the Performance Goal on the Payout Determination Date, but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the Performance Period End Date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s permitted transferee, if applicable), in the sole discretion of the Committee, either (i) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Earned PSUs, or (ii) an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Earned PSUs. No fractional shares of Common Stock, nor the cash value of any fractional shares of Common Stock, shall be issuable or payable to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement, and any fractional PSU that becomes earned hereunder shall be rounded down at the time shares of Common Stock are issued or cash payments are made, as applicable, in settlement of such PSU. All shares of Common Stock, if any, issued hereunder shall be delivered either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares to the Participant or by entering such shares in book-entry form, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The value of shares of Common Stock shall not bear any interest owing to the passage of time. Neither this Section 4 nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement shall be construed to create a trust or a funded or secured obligation of any kind.
5.    Tax Withholding. To the extent that the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award results in compensation income or wages to the Participant for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, the Company or its Affiliate may withhold and deduct from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant in settlement of Earned PSUs hereunder any federal, state, local and/or 

EXHIBIT A-2

foreign taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or rules. In the event shares of Common Stock are to be issued in settlement of Earned PSUs hereunder, the Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to this Award, which arrangements include the delivery of cash or cash equivalents, or, if permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion, Common Stock (including previously owned Common Stock, net settlement, a broker-assisted sale, or other cashless withholding or reduction of the amount of shares otherwise issuable or delivered pursuant to this Award), other property, or any other legal consideration the Committee deems appropriate, and if the Participant fails to do so, the Company and its Affiliates are authorized to withhold, or cause to be withheld, from any cash or stock remuneration (including withholding any of the Earned PSUs distributable to the Participant under this Agreement) then or thereafter payable to the Participant an amount equal to any tax or social security required to be withheld by reason of such resulting compensation income or wages, and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy such withholding obligation. If such tax obligations are satisfied through net settlement or the surrender of previously owned Common Stock, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be so withheld (or surrendered) shall be the number of shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or surrender equal to the aggregate amount of such tax liabilities determined based on the greatest withholding rates for federal, state, local and/or foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that may be utilized (and which may be limited to flat-rate withholding) without creating adverse accounting treatment, tax or other consequences for the Company or any Affiliate with respect to this Award, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that none of the Board, the Committee, the Company or any Affiliate have made any representation or warranty as to the tax consequences to the Participant as a result of the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award pursuant to this Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the receipt, vesting or settlement of this Award or, if applicable, disposition of the underlying shares of Common Stock and that the Participant has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor. The Participant represents that the Participant is in no manner relying on the Board, the Committee, the Company or an Affiliate or any of their respective managers, directors, officers, employees or authorized representatives (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, lenders, prospective lenders and financial representatives) for tax advice or an assessment of such tax consequences.
6.    Non-Transferability. During the lifetime of the Participant, none of the PSUs, the Dividend Equivalents or nay interest or right therein may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and until the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares have lapsed. Neither the PSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means, whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

EXHIBIT A-3

7.    Compliance with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of shares of Common Stock hereunder will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of applicable law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed. No shares of Common Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable law or regulation or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Common Stock may then be listed. In addition, shares of Common Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at the time of such issuance with respect to the shares to be issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares to be issued are permitted to be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained. As a condition to any issuance of Common Stock hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any requirements that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company. The Participant agrees to furnish to the Company all information requested by the Company to enable it to comply with any reporting or other requirement imposed upon the Company by or under any applicable statute or regulation.
8.    Legends. If a stock certificate is issued with respect to shares of Common Stock issued hereunder, such certificate shall bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to reflect the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and to ensure compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any applicable laws or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed. If the shares of Common Stock issued hereunder are held in book-entry form, then such entry will reflect that the shares are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement.
9.    Rights as a Common Stockholder. The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares of Common Stock that may become deliverable hereunder unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares of Common Stock, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.
10.    Execution of Receipts and Releases. Any issuance or transfer of shares of Common Stock or other property to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee, in accordance with this Agreement shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of such Person hereunder. As a condition precedent to such payment or issuance, the Company may require the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative, heir, legatee or distributee to execute (and not revoke within any time provided to do so) a release and receipt therefor in such form as it shall determine appropriate; provided, however, that any review period under such release will not modify the date of settlement with respect to Earned PSUs.

EXHIBIT A-4

11.    No Right to Continued Employment, Service or Awards. For purposes of this Agreement, the Participant shall be considered to be in the employment of the Company as long as the Participant remains an employee of any of the Company, an Affiliate, or a corporation or other entity, or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation or other entity assuming or substituting a new award for the Award. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, it is specifically provided that the Participant shall be considered to have terminated employment with the Company or an Affiliate at the time such entity or other organization that employs the Participant ceases to be considered an Affiliate within the meaning of that term as provided in the Plan such that, immediately following the termination of such “Affiliate” status, the Participant is no longer employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates. Nothing in the adoption of the Plan, nor the award of the PSUs thereunder pursuant to this Agreement, shall confer upon the Participant the right to continued employment by, or a continued service relationship with, the Company or any Affiliate, or any other entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any such Affiliate, or any other entity to terminate such employment or other service relationship at any time. Any question as to whether and when there has been a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company or any such Affiliate or other entity, and the cause of such termination, shall be determined by the Committee, and its determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The grant of the PSUs is a one-time benefit and does not create any contractual or other right to receive a grant of Awards or benefits in lieu of Awards in the future. Any future Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of the Company. 
12.    Legal and Equitable Remedies. The Participant acknowledges that a violation or attempted breach of any of the Participant’s covenants and agreements in this Agreement will cause such damage as will be irreparable, the exact amount of which would be difficult to ascertain and for which there will be no adequate remedy at law, and accordingly, the parties hereto agree that the Company and its Affiliates shall be entitled as a matter of right to an injunction issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining the Participant or the affiliates, partners or agents of the Participant from such breach or attempted violation of such covenants and agreements, as well as to recover from the Participant any and all costs and expenses sustained or incurred by the Company or any Affiliate in obtaining such an injunction, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees. The parties to this Agreement agree that no bond or other security shall be required in connection with such injunction. Any exercise by either of the parties to this Agreement of its rights pursuant to this Section 12 shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies to which such party may be entitled.
13.    Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

EXHIBIT A-5

If to the Company, unless otherwise designated by the Company in a written notice to the Participant (or other holder):
Nine Energy Service, Inc. 
______________________
______________________
______________________
If to the Participant, at the Participant’s last known address on filed with the Company. 
Any notice that is delivered personally or by overnight courier or telecopier in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have been duly given to the Participant when it is mailed by the Company or, if such notice is not mailed to the Participant, upon receipt by the Participant. Any notice that is addressed and mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been given to the party to whom it is addressed at the close of business, local time of the recipient, on the fourth day after the day it is so placed in the mail.
14.    Consent to Electronic Delivery; Electronic Signature. In lieu of receiving documents in paper format, the Participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to accept electronic delivery of any documents that the Company may be required to deliver (including, but not limited to, prospectuses, prospectus supplements, grant or award notifications and agreements, account statements, annual and quarterly reports and all other forms of communications) in connection with this and any other Award made or offered by the Company. Electronic delivery may be via a Company electronic mail system or by reference to a location on a Company intranet to which the Participant has access. The Participant hereby consents to any and all procedures the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system for delivery and acceptance of any such documents that the Company may be required to deliver, and agrees that his or her electronic signature is the same as, and shall have the same force and effect as, his or her manual signature.
15.    Corporate Acts. The existence of the PSUs shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger, consolidation or other business combination of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
16.    Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the PSUs granted hereby; provided, however, that (a) the terms of this Agreement shall not modify and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any employment, consulting and/or severance agreement between the Company (or an Affiliate or other entity) and the Participant in effect as of the date a determination is to be made under this Agreement and (b) if the Participant has entered into any written agreement with the Company or any Affiliate regarding the arbitration of disputes (such agreement, an 

EXHIBIT A-6

“Arbitration Agreement”), then this Agreement shall be subject to the dispute resolution procedures set forth in the Arbitration Agreement. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, except as provided therein, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement from time to time in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, any such amendment that materially reduces the rights of the Participant shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both the Participant and an authorized officer of the Company.
17.    Severability and Waiver. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, then the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement or failure to exercise any right hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach or right. The failure of any party to take action by reason of such breach or to exercise any such right shall not deprive the party of the right to take action at any time while or after such breach or condition giving rise to such rights continues.
18.    Clawback. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required by (a) applicable law, including, without limitation, the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, any SEC rule or any applicable securities exchange listing standards and/or (b) any policy that may be adopted or amended by the Board from time to time, all shares of Common Stock issued hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture, repurchase, recoupment and/or cancellation to the extent necessary to comply with such law(s) and/or policy.
19.    Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED THEREIN, EXCLUSIVE OF THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW.
20.    Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the PSUs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.
21.    Headings; References; Interpretation. Titles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof. Any and all Exhibits, Annexes or Attachments referred to in this Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Grant Notice and Exhibit B attached thereto, are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to laws, regulations, contracts, agreements and instruments refer to such laws, regulations, contracts, agreements and instruments as they may be amended from time to time, and 

EXHIBIT A-7

references to particular provisions of laws or regulations include a reference to the corresponding provisions of any succeeding law or regulation. Unless otherwise specified, all references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars. The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Grant Notice and Exhibit B attached thereto, and not to any particular provision hereof. Wherever the context so requires, the masculine gender includes the feminine or neuter, and the singular number includes the plural and conversely. All references to “including” shall be construed as meaning “including without limitation.” Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party hereto, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of the parties hereto.
22.    Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of the Grant Notice by facsimile or portable document format (.pdf) attachment to electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Grant Notice.
23.    Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the PSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Nevertheless, to the extent that the Committee determines that the PSUs may not be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, then, if the Participant is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as determined by the Committee, at a time when the Participant becomes eligible for settlement of the PSUs that become Earned PSUs pursuant to this Agreement upon his or her “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, then to the extent necessary to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such settlement will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following the Participant’s separation from service and (b) the Participant’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Affiliates make no representations that the PSUs provided under this Agreement are exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company or any Affiliate be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

EXHIBIT A-8

EXHIBIT B
PERFORMANCE GOAL FOR PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

This Exhibit B to the Grant Notice contains the performance requirements and methodology applicable to the PSUs. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and the Agreement, the portion of the Target Number of PSUs, if any, that become Earned PSUs during the Performance Period will be determined in accordance with this Exhibit B. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein or in the Agreement shall have the same meaning assigned to them in the Plan.

1.Performance Goal. 

[______________________]

2.Performance Ranking

[______________________]

3.Performance Peer Group. 

[______________________]

		
	4.
	Additional Factors or Information Regarding Methodology. Consistent with the terms of the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the terms of the Plan or the Agreement, including this Exhibit B, shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all persons. 

EXHIBIT B-1

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00295-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00295-of-00352.parquet"}]]