| | | | | Sincerely, | |
| | | | |
/s/
|
|
| | | | |
Marc C. Ganzi
Chief Executive Officer |
|
| |
DATE & TIME
|
| | [•], 2026 at [•], Eastern Time | |
| |
PLACE
|
| | The special meeting of stockholders (the “special meeting”) of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (“DigitalBridge”) will be held online at [•]. You will not be able to attend the special meeting in person. | |
| |
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
|
| |
•
To consider and vote on a proposal (the “merger proposal”) to approve the merger of DigitalBridge contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 29, 2025 (as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “merger agreement”), by and among DigitalBridge, Duncan Holdco LLC (“Parent”), Duncan Sub I Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub I”), Duncan Sub II LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merger Sub I (“Merger Sub II” and together with Merger Sub I, “Merger Subs”), and DigitalBridge Operating Company, LLC (“Company OP”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub I will be merged with and into DigitalBridge (the “Company merger”), the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub I will cease and DigitalBridge will survive the Company merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. A copy of the merger agreement is attached to the accompanying proxy statement as Annex A and is incorporated therein by reference;
|
|
| | | | |
•
To consider and vote on a proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, certain compensation that will or may be paid by DigitalBridge to its named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the Company merger (the “named executive officer merger-related compensation proposal”); and
|
|
| | | | |
•
To consider and vote on a proposal to adjourn the special meeting from time to time, as determined in accordance with the merger agreement by the DigitalBridge board of directors (the “DigitalBridge Board”), including for the purpose of soliciting additional votes for the approval of the merger proposal if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger proposal (the “adjournment proposal”).
|
|
| |
RECORD DATE AND SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE
|
| |
Only holders of record of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of DigitalBridge (“DigitalBridge common stock”), at the close of business on [•], 2026 (the “record date”) are entitled to notice of the special meeting and to vote thereat. Each holder of record of DigitalBridge common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share |
|
| | | | | of DigitalBridge common stock they own of record at the close of business on the record date. | |
| |
VOTING BY PROXY
|
| | Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. The DigitalBridge Board is soliciting your proxy to ensure that a quorum is present and that your shares are represented and voted at the special meeting. For information on submitting your proxy over the internet, by telephone or by mailing back the traditional proxy card (no extra postage is needed for the provided envelope if mailed in the U.S.), please see the attached proxy statement and enclosed proxy card. If you later decide to vote online at the special meeting, information on revoking your proxy prior to the special meeting is also provided in the accompanying proxy statement. | |
| |
RECOMMENDATIONS
|
| | The DigitalBridge Board unanimously recommends that you vote: | |
| | | | |
•
“FOR” the merger proposal;
|
|
| | | | |
•
“FOR” the named executive officer merger-related compensation proposal; and
|
|
| | | | |
•
“FOR” the adjournment proposal.
|
|
| |
APPRAISAL
|
| | Record holders and beneficial owners of shares of DigitalBridge common stock who do not vote in favor of the merger proposal will have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares of DigitalBridge common stock pursuant to Section 5.10 of the charter of DigitalBridge if they file with DigitalBridge a written objection to the Company merger at or before the vote is taken on the Company merger and comply with all the requirements of the provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), which are summarized in the accompanying proxy statement. The provisions of Section 5.10 of the charter of DigitalBridge and Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL are reproduced in their entirety in Annex D to the accompanying proxy statement and are incorporated therein by reference. | |
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| ANNEXES | | | | | | | |
| Annex A — Agreement and Plan of Merger | | | | | A-1 | | |
| Annex B — Opinion of Barclays Capital Inc. | | | | | B-1 | | |
| Annex C — Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | | | | | C-1 | | |
| | | | | D-1 | | | |
|
Amounts in millions (other than per Share amounts)
|
| |
FY25
|
| |
FY26
|
| |
FY27
|
| |
FY28
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Total Fee Revenues
|
| | | | 360 | | | | | | 356 | | | | | | 392 | | | | | | 610 | | |
|
Recurring Incentive Fees(1)
|
| | | | 2 | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | 6 | | |
|
Expenses(2)
|
| | | | (227) | | | | | | (221) | | | | | | (243) | | | | | | (264) | | |
|
Public Company Savings(3)
|
| | | | n/a | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | 20 | | |
|
Fee Related Earnings(4)
|
| | | | 135 | | | | | | 157 | | | | | | 173 | | | | | | 372 | | |
|
Performance-Related Earnings(5)
|
| | | | 1 | | | | | | 0 | | | | | | 27 | | | | | | 129 | | |
|
Distributable Earnings(6)
|
| | | | 80 | | | | | | 98 | | | | | | 158 | | | | | | 517 | | |
|
Fully Diluted Shares Outstanding
|
| | | | 189 | | | | | | 191 | | | | | | 192 | | | | | | 194 | | |
|
Distributable Earnings per Share
|
| | | | 0.43 | | | | | | 0.51 | | | | | | 0.82 | | | | | | 2.67 | | |
|
Fee Related Earnings per Share
|
| | | | 0.72 | | | | | | 0.82 | | | | | | 0.90 | | | | | | 1.92 | | |
|
Debt and Preferred Equity
|
| | | | n/a | | | | | | 1,122 | | | | | | 1,122 | | | | | | 1,122 | | |
|
Net Debt
|
| | | | n/a | | | | | | 950 | | | | | | 892 | | | | | | 308 | | |
|
Selected Comparable Companies
|
| |
Adjusted EV to
FRE Multiple |
| |||
|
Ares Management Corporation
|
| | | | 24.8x | | |
|
Blackstone Inc.
|
| | | | 23.4x | | |
|
Brookfield Corporation
|
| | | | 22.9x | | |
|
Apollo Global Management, Inc.
|
| | | | 21.1x | | |
|
TPG Inc.
|
| | | | 20.9x | | |
|
KKR & Co. L.P.
|
| | | | 20.2x | | |
|
Blue Owl Capital Inc.
|
| | | | 14.4x | | |
|
The Carlyle Group Inc.
|
| | | | 12.8x | | |
| |
Adjusted EV to FRE Multiples
|
| |
12.0x
|
| |
20.0x
|
|
| |
Value of Asset Management Business ($mm)
|
| |
1,581
|
| |
2,635
|
|
| |
Adjusted EV to FRE Multiples
|
| |
12.0x
|
| |
20.0x
|
|
| |
Implied Equity Value Per Share of DigitalBridge common stock
|
| |
$12.00
|
| |
$18.50
|
|
|
Date Announced
|
| |
Target
|
| |
Acquiror
|
| |
Transaction Value /
EBITDA or FRE |
|
|
May 2025
|
| | Peppertree Capital Management, Inc. | | | TPG Inc. | | |
9.5x
|
|
|
February 2025
|
| | Bridge Investment Group Holdings LLC. | | | Apollo Global Management, Inc. | | |
10.5x
|
|
|
October 2024
|
| |
GLP Capital Partners Limited
|
| | Ares Management Corporation | | |
17.5x
|
|
|
October 2024
|
| | IPL LLC | | | Blue Owl Capital Inc. | | |
21.1x
|
|
|
January 2024
|
| | Global Infrastructure Management, LLC | | | BlackRock, Inc. | | |
15.2x
|
|
|
September 2023
|
| | ECP Asset Management Pty Ltd | | | Bridgepoint Group plc | | |
14.4x
|
|
| |
Adjusted EV to EBITDA Multiples
|
| | | | 12.0x | | | | | | 18.0x | | |
| |
Value of Asset Management Business ($mm)
|
| | | | 1,581 | | | | | | 2,372 | | |
| |
Adjusted EBITDA Multiples
|
| |
12.0x
|
| |
18.0x
|
|
| |
Implied Equity Value Per Share
|
| |
$12.00
|
| |
$16.90
|
|
|
Executive Officers and Directors
|
| |
Aggregate
Amount Payable for Unvested DigitalBridge Restricted Stock Awards ($)(1) |
| |
Aggregate
Amount Payable for Unvested DigitalBridge RSU Awards ($)(2) |
| |
Aggregate
Amount Payable for Unvested DigitalBridge PSU Awards ($)(3) |
| |
Aggregate
Amount Payable for Unvested DigitalBridge DSU Awards ($)(4) |
| |
Aggregate
Amount Payable for Unvested DigitalBridge OP LTIP Unit Awards ($)(5) |
| |
Aggregate
Amount Payable for Unvested Carried Interest Awards ($)(6) |
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
Marc C. Ganzi
|
| | | | 3,844,512 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5,409,976 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,794,257 | | |
|
Benjamin J. Jenkins
|
| | | | 2,448,336 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,398,750 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 674,311 | | |
|
Thomas Mayrhofer
|
| | | | 2,627,072 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,616,928 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 410,209 | | |
|
Geoffrey Goldschein
|
| | | | 1,329,664 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,233,910 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 152,080 | | |
|
Liam Stewart
|
| | | | 2,158,816 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,109,670 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 171,900 | | |
|
James Keith Brown
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 244,768 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Nancy A. Curtin
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 244,768 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Jeannie H. Diefenderfer
|
| | | | 244,336 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
Gregory J. McCray
|
| | | | 244,336 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
Shaka Rasheed
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 244,768 | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
Dale Anne Reiss
|
| | | | 244,336 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
David M. Tolley
|
| | | | 244,336 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
Jay Wintrob
|
| | | | 129,200 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | |
|
Named Executive Officers
|
| |
Cash
($)(1) |
| |
Equity
($)(2) |
| |
Pension/
NQDCs ($)(3) |
| |
Perquisites/
Benefits ($)(4) |
| |
Other
($)(5) |
| |
Total
($)(6) |
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
Marc C. Ganzi
|
| | | | 10,076,616 | | | | | | 11,048,745 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 481,144 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 21,606,505 | | |
|
Benjamin J. Jenkins
|
| | | | 4,143,300 | | | | | | 6,521,397 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 80,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 10,744,697 | | |
|
Thomas Mayrhofer
|
| | | | 3,910,900 | | | | | | 4,654,209 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 36,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 8,601,109 | | |
|
Geoffrey Goldschein
|
| | | | 3,991,275 | | | | | | 2,715,654 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 80,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 6,786,929 | | |
|
Liam Stewart
|
| | | | 4,198,035 | | | | | | 5,440,386 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 80,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 9,718,421 | | |
|
Named Executive Officers
|
| |
DigitalBridge
Restricted Stock Awards ($) |
| |
DigitalBridge
RSU Awards ($) |
| |
DigitalBridge
PSU Awards ($) |
| |
DigitalBridge
OP LTIP Unit Awards ($) |
| |
Carried
Interest Awards ($) |
| |||||||||||||||
|
Marc C. Ganzi
|
| | | | 3,844,512 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 5,409,976 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,794,257 | | |
|
Benjamin J. Jenkins
|
| | | | 2,448,336 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,398,750 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 674,311 | | |
|
Thomas Mayrhofer
|
| | | | 2,627,072 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,616,928 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 410,209 | | |
|
Geoffrey Goldschein
|
| | | | 1,329,664 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,233,910 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 152,080 | | |
|
Liam Stewart
|
| | | | 2,158,816 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 3,109,670 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 171,900 | | |
|
Fiscal Year
|
| |
High
|
| |
Low
|
| ||||||
| 2026 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
First Quarter (through March 5, 2026)
|
| | | $ | 15.45 | | | | | $ | 15.42 | | |
| 2025 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
First Quarter
|
| | | $ | 12.63 | | | | | $ | 8.63 | | |
|
Second Quarter
|
| | | $ | 12.165 | | | | | $ | 6.41 | | |
|
Third Quarter
|
| | | $ | 12.84 | | | | | $ | 10.07 | | |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
| | | $ | 15.55 | | | | | $ | 8.94 | | |
| 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
First Quarter
|
| | | $ | 20.99 | | | | | $ | 16.9001 | | |
|
Second Quarter
|
| | | $ | 19.49 | | | | | $ | 12.1201 | | |
|
Third Quarter
|
| | | $ | 14.91 | | | | | $ | 11.07 | | |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
| | | $ | 17.33 | | | | | $ | 10.55 | | |
| 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
First Quarter
|
| | | $ | 16.45 | | | | | $ | 9.99 | | |
|
Second Quarter
|
| | | $ | 14.77 | | | | | $ | 10.20 | | |
|
Third Quarter
|
| | | $ | 18.435 | | | | | $ | 14.10 | | |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
| | | $ | 18.415 | | | | | $ | 14.08 | | |
| 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
First Quarter
|
| | | $ | 34.20 | | | | | $ | 25.72 | | |
|
Second Quarter
|
| | | $ | 30.66 | | | | | $ | 17.94 | | |
|
Third Quarter
|
| | | $ | 23.44 | | | | | $ | 12.42 | | |
|
Fourth Quarter
|
| | | $ | 15.42 | | | | | $ | 10.39 | | |
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Common Share Equivalents(1)
|
| |
DigitalBridge common stock(1)
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Directors and Executive Officers
|
| |
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned |
| |
Ownership
Percentage |
| |
% of DigitalBridge
common stock |
| |||||||||
|
Marc Ganzi(2)
|
| | | | 2,947,627 | | | | | | 1.56% | | | | | | * | | |
|
Benjamin J. Jenkins(2)
|
| | | | 2,511,825 | | | | | | 1.33% | | | | | | * | | |
|
Thomas Mayrhofer(2)
|
| | | | 171,071 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Geoffrey Goldschein(2)
|
| | | | 108,714 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Liam Stewart(2)
|
| | | | 234,670 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
James Keith Brown
|
| | | | 41,768 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Nancy A. Curtin(3)
|
| | | | 127,229 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Jeannie H. Diefenderfer(4)
|
| | | | 74,884 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Gregory J. McCray(4)
|
| | | | 57,561 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Sháka Rasheed(3)(4)
|
| | | | 54,953 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Dale Anne Reiss(4)
|
| | | | 81,636 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
David M. Tolley(3)(4)
|
| | | | 47,807 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
Jay Wintrob
|
| | | | 8,075 | | | | | | * | | | | | | * | | |
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (13 persons)(5)
|
| | | | 6,467,820 | | | | | | 3.46% | | | | | | 0.89% | | |
| | | |
DigitalBridge common stock
|
| |||||||||
|
Significant Stockholders(6)
|
| |
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned |
| |
Ownership Percentage
|
| ||||||
|
The Vanguard Group(7)
|
| | | | 17,098,253 | | | | | | 9.4% | | |
|
BlackRock, Inc.(8)
|
| | | | 12,066,848 | | | | | | 6.6% | | |
|
Pentwater Capital Management LP(9)
|
| | | | 11,500,000 | | | | | | 6.3% | | |
|
Bank of America Corp.(10)
|
| | | | 9,722,332 | | | | | | 5.3% | | |
| | | | | | A-1 | | | |
| | | | | | A-1 | | | |
| | | | | | A-2 | | | |
| | | | | | A-2 | | | |
| | | | | | A-3 | | | |
| | | | | | A-3 | | | |
| | | | | | A-3 | | | |
| | | | | | A-5 | | | |
| | | | | | A-8 | | | |
| | | | | | A-8 | | | |
| | | | | | A-9 | | | |
| | | | | | A-10 | | | |
| | | | | | A-11 | | | |
| | | | | | A-11 | | | |
| | | | | | A-11 | | | |
| | | | | | A-31 | | | |
| | | | | | A-36 | | | |
| | | | | | A-36 | | | |
| | | | | | A-39 | | | |
| | | | | | A-39 | | | |
| | | | | | A-41 | | | |
| | | | | | A-42 | | | |
| | | | | | A-46 | | | |
| | | | | | A-49 | | | |
| | | | | | A-49 | | | |
| | | | | | A-50 | | | |
| | | | | | A-50 | | | |
| | | | | | A-52 | | | |
| | | | | | A-52 | | | |
| | | | | | A-52 | | | |
| | | | | | A-53 | | | |
| | | | | | A-54 | | | |
| | | | | | A-54 | | | |
| | | | | | A-54 | | | |
| | | | | | A-56 | | | |
| | | | | | A-57 | | | |
| | | | | | A-57 | | | |
| | | | | | A-57 | | | |
| | | | | | A-58 | | |
| | | | | | A-59 | | | |
| | | | | | A-59 | | | |
| | | | | | A-60 | | | |
| | | | | | A-60 | | | |
| | | | | | A-62 | | | |
| | | | | | A-62 | | | |
| | | | | | A-62 | | | |
| | | | | | A-63 | | | |
| | | | | | A-64 | | | |
| | | | | | A-64 | | | |
| | | | | | A-64 | | | |
| | | | | | A-65 | | | |
| | | | | | A-65 | | | |
| | | | | | A-65 | | | |
| | | | | | A-65 | | | |
| | | | | | A-66 | | | |
| | | | | | A-66 | | | |
| | | | | | A-66 | | | |
| | | | | | A-66 | | | |
| | | | | | A-67 | | |
| | MEMBER: | | | | |
| | DIGITALBRIDGE GROUP, INC. | | | | |
| |
By:
|
| | | |
| | Name: | | | | |
| | Title: | | | | |
|
Member
|
| |
Membership
Common Units |
| |
Series H
Company Preferred Units |
| |
Series I
Company Preferred Units |
| |
Series J
Company Preferred Units |
| ||||||||||||
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DIGITALBRIDGE GROUP, INC.
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745 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019 United States |
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