Finish Line plans to exit Man Alive business

22 Jun '09

3 min read

The Finish Line Inc announced a plan to exit its unprofitable Man Alive business. The Company has entered into a definitive agreement with Man Alive Acquisition, LLC ("MA") an entity controlled by Jimmy Khezrie, the owner and operator of Jimmy Jazz stores, under which MA will assume certain assets and liabilities of Man Alive. The transaction has been approved by the Company's Board of Directors and is expected to close in early July, subject to customary closing conditions.

Upon exiting the Man Alive business, the Company expects to realize increased profitability from continuing operations. As previously announced on March 27, 2009 the Company reported pre-tax consolidated operating income for the year ended February 28, 2009 of $40.8 million excluding terminated merger-related income and non-cash impairment charges. The $40.8 million was attributable to $54.0 million from its Finish Line business offset partially by a loss of $13.2 million from Man Alive.

"This transaction will allow us to exit our unprofitable Man Alive business and focus our time and resources on our successful core Finish Line business and thereby generate enhanced shareholder value," said Glenn Lyon, the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

"We are confident that MA, through the guidance of Jimmy Jazz an established and growing leader in the urban apparel market, will help Man Alive achieve its true long-term potential. We very much appreciate the dedication of Lou Spagna, President of Man Alive, and his entire team as they have worked to adjust the Man Alive business to a changed retail climate. We are proud of all the employees who have worked so hard to serve customers and are pleased that MA has committed to retaining the field staff at the Man Alive locations."

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, MA will assume certain assets and liabilities of Man Alive (as specified in the purchase agreement), including the 75 retail stores (under both the Man Alive and Decibel names), the leasehold interests and lease liabilities of Man Alive, as well as intellectual property, including the Man Alive and Decibel trademarks and trade names.

The Company will pay approximately $7 million in cash with up to $5 million to be paid at closing and the remaining amount to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments with the first payment made on the first day of the first month following closing. Upon closing, all Man Alive field staff will be employed by MA.

The disposition of Man Alive will be accounted for as a discontinued operation in the second quarter ending August 29, 2009. In addition to the cash charge mentioned above, the Company expects to take a pre-tax charge of $13 to $18 million related primarily to inventory and long-term asset write-offs.

Preliminary First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results
The Company expects to report consolidated net sales of $267.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009("Q1"), a decrease of 7.2% compared to consolidated net sales of $287.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 31, 2008 ("Q1LY"). For Q1, comparable store net sales decreased 3.9% for Finish Line and 39.1% for Man Alive.

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