ByBorg agrees to purchase 14.9M shares of PLBY Group at $1.50 per share

PLBY Group (PLBY) announced the signing of a significant equity investment by Byborg Enterprises. Byborg has agreed to purchase 14.9 million newly issued, unregistered shares of common stock of PLBY Group for a price of $1.50 per share, for a total purchase price of $22.35 million. The parties expect to close the purchase and sale of the shares on or before November 8, 2024. Concurrently, Byborg and PLBY Group signed a non-binding letter of intent providing that the parties will work together on an exclusive basis to negotiate and execute a definitive agreement pursuant to which Byborg would license certain Playboy digital intellectual property and operate certain Playboy digital businesses. Core to the contemplated strategic partnership is pursuing additional new revenue streams, including artificial intelligence services, webcam products and other initiatives which will leverage existing Byborg intellectual property. The LOI includes $20 million in annual minimum guaranteed payments to PLBY Group over the initial 15-year term for a total of $300 million as well as a profit share based on performance. PLBY Group and Byborg expect to enter into definitive agreements prior to year-end. The shares will be subject to a lock-up period of one year. In connection with the equity purchase commitment and the licensing agreement, Byborg may purchase additional shares of common stock and has entered into a standstill agreement capping its total holdings in PLBY Group at 29.99%. As a result of the equity purchase, beginning in 2025, PLBY Group will appoint a director nominated by Byborg and will also add a mutually agreed new independent director.