DBRG DigitalBridge Group Inc

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

Our charter provides that we may issue up to 1,250,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 949,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, 1,000,000 shares of Class B common stock (“Class B common stock”), 50,000,000 shares of Performance common stock (“Performance common stock”), and 250,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which: (i) 11,500,000 shares are classified as Series H preferred stock; (ii) 13,800,000 shares are classified as Series I preferred stock; and (iii) 12,650,000 shares are classified as Series J preferred stock. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations. Our board has approved an amendment to our charter, which is subject to approval by our stockholders at our 2023 annual meeting, to decrease (i) the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock from 949,000,000 to 237,250,000, (ii) the number of authorized shares of Class B common stock from 1,000,000 to 250,000 and (iii) the number of authorized shares of Performance common stock from 50,000,000 to 12,500,000. Consistent with the foregoing, the number of overall shares of capital stock would be reduced from 1,250,000,000 to 500,000,000, inclusive of 250,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock. Prior to or concurrently with the filing of such amendment to reduce the authorized shares, we intend to file an amendment to reduce the par value of our common stock from $0.04 to $0.01 per share.

Voting Rights of Common Stock

Except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of shares of common stock or Performance common stock, each outstanding share of Class A common stock entitles the holder to one vote and each outstanding share of Class B common stock entitles the holder to 36.5 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of shares of stock, the holders of such shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will possess the exclusive voting power and will vote as a single class. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. A nominee for director shall be elected as a director only if such nominee receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for and against such nominee, unless there is a contested election, in which case directors shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast at a meeting. Holders of shares of Performance common stock are not entitled to vote, except that the consent of the holders of a majority of the shares of Performance common stock, voting as a separate class, is required for any amendment to our charter that would increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of Performance common stock, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of Performance common stock, or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Performance common stock so as to affect them adversely.

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended (the “MGCL”), a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, convert into another form of entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation’s charter. Our charter provides that these actions may be taken if declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, Maryland law permits a corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation.

Dividends, Liquidation and Other Rights

Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock of our company, including our preferred stock, described below, holders of shares of common stock and Performance common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such shares of stock if, as and when authorized by our board, and declared by us out of assets or funds legally available therefor. Such holders are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of its liquidation, dissolution or winding up or any distribution of our assets after payment or establishment of reserves or other adequate provision for all debts and liabilities of our company and any class or series of stock with preferential rights related thereto, including preferred stock. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for the corporation’s debts or obligations. If and when our board authorizes or declares a dividend or other distribution with respect to our Class A common stock, such authorization or declaration will constitute a simultaneous authorization or declaration of an equivalent dividend or other distribution with respect to each share of our Class B common stock and each share of our Performance common stock; provided, however, that dividends on shares of our Performance common stock may not exceed any dividends declared on shares of our Class A common stock at the time such dividend is made.

Holders of shares of our common stock and Performance common stock have no preference, conversion (other than as described below with respect to our Class B common stock and Performance common stock), exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities and have appraisal rights as described below. Shares of our common stock and Performance common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company or any distribution of the assets of our company, each holder of common stock will be entitled to participate, together with any other class of stock not having a preference over our common stock, in the distribution of any remaining assets after payment of our debts and liabilities and distributions to holders of shares having a preference over our common stock.

Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares of Our Securities

Our charter authorizes our board to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of shares of our common stock or preferred stock and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series. As a result, subject to any preferences on the preferred stock, our board could authorize the issuance of a new series or class of shares of preferred stock that have priority over the common stock with respect to dividends, distributions and rights upon liquidation and with other terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of shares of our common stock or otherwise might be in their best interest.

Power to Issue Additional Shares of Our Securities

We believe that the power of our board to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of our securities and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our securities and thereafter to cause the issuance of such classified or reclassified shares of our securities will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. The additional classes or series will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board does not intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our securities or that our stockholders might not view as being in the best interest of our stockholders.

Dissenters’ Rights

Our charter establishes certain dissenters’ rights in addition to those available to stockholders of a Maryland corporation with stock listed on a national securities exchange. The MGCL provides that a dissenting or objecting stockholder has the right to demand and receive payment of the fair value of the stockholder’s stock from a successor corporation if: (i) the corporation consolidates or merges with another corporation; (ii) the corporation’s stock is to be acquired in a share exchange; (iii) the corporation transfers all or substantially all of its assets in a transaction requiring approval of the corporation’s stockholders; (iv) the corporation amends its charter in a way which alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the charter, of any outstanding stock and substantially adversely affects the stockholder’s rights, unless the right to do so is reserved in the charter of the corporation (which right is so reserved in our charter); (v) the transaction is subject to certain provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act; or (vi) the corporation is being converted to another entity form.

The MGCL provides that, subject to a limited exception, a stockholder may not demand the fair value of the stockholder’s stock and is bound by the terms of the transaction if, among other things, the stock is listed on a national securities exchange on the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on the matter. Holders of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock shall be entitled to exercise the rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute. In addition to the statutory rights of objecting stockholders and notwithstanding the limitations on exercising the rights of an objecting stockholder when the stock is listed on a national securities exchange, a holder of shares of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock shall have the additional right, pursuant to our charter, to demand and receive payment of the fair value of such stockholder’s shares of common stock in any merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the holder is required by the terms of an agreement or plan of merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange to accept for such shares anything except:

Holders of shares of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock exercising the rights of an objecting stockholder provided in our charter must comply with the requirements to properly exercise such rights set forth in Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL to the same extent as if they were exercising the rights of objecting stockholders provided for in Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute.

Conversion of Our Class B Common Stock

Each share of Class B common stock will convert automatically:

“Qualified Transferee” means Colony Capital, LLC and Colony Capital Holdings, LLC and any member or interest holder of CCH Management Partners I, LLC, CCH Management Partners II, LLC, Colony Capital, LLC or Colony Capital Holdings, LLC for so long as any such person remains employed by our company or our affiliates, any family member or affiliate of such persons or any person controlled by any combination of one or more of such persons or their family members. Neither our company nor our operating partnership will be a Qualified Transferee. The purpose of this automatic conversion feature is to ensure that the holders of our Class B common stock do not at any time have votes in excess of the number of OP Units then held by them (or the other permitted holders described above); to the extent that a share of Class B common stock or any group of 35.5 OP Units is transferred or ceases to be held by a permitted holder, a share of Class B common stock will convert into one share of Class A common stock, thereafter carrying only one vote.

Each holder of Class B common stock will have the right, at the holder’s option at any time and from time to time, to convert all or a portion of such holder’s Class B common stock into an equal number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Class A common stock by delivering the certificates (if any) representing the shares of Class B common stock to be converted, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written conversion notice to the transfer agent for Class B common stock (or if there is no transfer agent, to us).

Conversion of Our Performance Common Stock

As all outstanding shares of our Performance common stock converted automatically to Class A common stock in connection with the tri-party merger among Colony Capital, Inc., NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp., which closed on January 10, 2017, we have no shares of Performance common stock outstanding. We do not intend to issue any Performance common stock in the future.

Warrants to Purchase Class A Common Stock

We have issued affiliates of Wafra, Inc. five warrants, each of which entitles the holder to purchase up to 1,338,000 shares of our Class A common stock at staggered strike prices between $9.72 and $24.00 each, exercisable through July 17, 2026. No warrants have been exercised to-date.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description sets forth certain general terms of the shares of preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. This description and the description contained in any accompanying prospectus supplement are not complete and are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our charter, the applicable articles supplementary that describe the terms of the related class or series of preferred stock, and our bylaws, each of which we will make available upon request.

General

Our charter authorizes our board of directors, without the approval of our stockholders, to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of preferred stock of any series. Prior to the issuance of shares of any series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such series, all of which will be set forth in articles supplementary to our charter adopted for that purpose by our board of directors or a duly authorized special committee thereof. Using this authority, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or for other reasons be desired by them.

Upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price therefor, shares of preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable. The specific terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock to be offered pursuant to this prospectus will be described in the prospectus supplement or other offering material relating to that class or series, including a prospectus supplement or other offering material providing that preferred stock may be issuable upon the exercise of warrants or conversion of other securities issued by us. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the articles supplementary relating to that class or series.

Rank. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material, our preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank:

Conversion Right. The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any shares of any class or series of our preferred stock are convertible into shares of our common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering material relating thereto. Such terms will include:

Outstanding Preferred Stock

As of the date of this prospectus, we have outstanding 8,430,251 shares of our Series H preferred stock, 12,989,127 shares of our Series I preferred stock, and 11,691,817 shares of our Series J preferred stock.

Holders of our preferred stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors, and declared by them out of assets legally available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at the applicable stated rate. The stated rate for the Series H preferred stock is 7.125% of the $25 liquidation preference per share, or $1.78125 per share, per annum; the stated rate for the Series I preferred stock is 7.15% of the $25 liquidation preference per share, or $1.7875 per share, per annum; and the stated rate for the Series J preferred stock is 7.125% of the $25 liquidation preference per share, or $1.78125 per share, per annum.

We may not redeem the preferred stock prior to five years from the date of the original issuance of the applicable series of preferred stock, which, for the Series H preferred stock, such five year period ended on April 13, 2020; for the Series I preferred stock, such five year period ended on June 5, 2022; and for the Series J preferred stock, such five year period ended on September 22, 2022, except pursuant to certain special optional redemption rights. On or after five years from the date of the original issuance of the applicable series of preferred stock described in this paragraph, we may, at our option, upon the notice periods set forth in the applicable Articles Supplementary creating the series of preferred stock, redeem the preferred stock, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, for cash at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption, without interest.

Each outstanding series of our preferred stock is subject to certain conversion and optional redemption rights upon a change of control.

The foregoing summary of our Series H preferred stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to the description of Series H preferred included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-212739), initially filed with the SEC on July 29, 2016, a copy of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The foregoing summary of our Series I preferred stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to the description of our Series I preferred stock included in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-37980) filed on June 5, 2017, a copy of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The foregoing summary of our Series J preferred stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to the description of our Series J preferred stock included in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-37980) filed on September 22, 2017, a copy of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for preferred stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Preferred stock of each series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement among us, the depositary named therein and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares (including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights).

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the shares of preferred stock by us to a preferred share depositary, we will cause such preferred shares depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from us upon request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The preferred share depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the shares of preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of such depositary receipts owned by such holders, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred shares depositary.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the preferred shares depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the preferred shares depositary, unless the preferred shares depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the preferred shares depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any shares of preferred stock converted into other securities.

Withdrawal of Shares

Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the applicable preferred shares depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such holder’s order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of preferred shares represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such preferred shares will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred shares depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the preferred shares depositary, the preferred shares depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of preferred stock so redeemed, provided we shall have paid in full to the preferred shares depositary the redemption price of the preferred shares to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by any other equitable method determined by us.

From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends in respect of the preferred shares so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption and surrender thereof to the preferred shares depositary.

Voting of the Shares of Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the applicable shares of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred shares depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares which represent such shares of preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred shares) will be entitled to instruct the preferred shares depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred shares represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The preferred shares depositary will vote the amount of preferred shares represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the preferred shares depositary in order to enable the preferred shares depositary to do so. The preferred shares depositary will abstain from voting the amount of preferred shares represented by such depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing such depositary shares. The preferred shares depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as any such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from negligence or willful misconduct of the preferred shares depositary.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion of Preferred Shares

The depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into common stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the preferred shares depositary with written instructions to the preferred shares depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the preferred shares represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts into whole common shares, other preferred shares, and we agree that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of shares of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.

Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the preferred shares depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related preferred shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least two-thirds of the applicable depositary shares evidenced by the applicable depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related preferred shares and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.

The deposit agreement may be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the preferred shares depositary if a majority of each series of preferred shares affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon the preferred shares depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional preferred shares as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the preferred shares depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding depositary shares shall have been redeemed, (ii) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred shares in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred shares or (iii) each related share of preferred stock shall have been converted into our securities not so represented by depositary shares.

Charges of Preferred Shares Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred shares depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the preferred shares depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The preferred shares depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the preferred shares depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred shares depositary. A successor preferred shares depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and that meets certain combined capital and surplus requirements.

Miscellaneous

The preferred shares depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from the Company which are received by the preferred shares depositary with respect to the related preferred shares.

Neither the preferred shares depositary nor we will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of us and the preferred shares depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of preferred shares represented by the depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct, and we and the preferred shares depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or preferred shares represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the preferred shares depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred shares represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

In the event the preferred shares depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the preferred shares depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may offer by means of this prospectus warrants for the purchase of any of the types of securities offered by this prospectus. We may issue warrants separately or together with any other securities offered by means of this prospectus, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified therein or the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to our stockholders for the purchase of shares of Class A common stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the rights to be issued, including the following, where applicable:

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations regarding the ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock, preferred stock, and depositary shares (for purposes of this section only, collectively referred to as “stock”). This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury Regulations”), rulings and other administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), including administrative interpretations and practices expressed in private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. We have not sought and will not seek an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this section. This summary does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or the possible application of the 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income or U.S. federal gift or estate taxes, and it does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

This summary assumes that stockholders hold shares of our stock as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which generally means property held for investment.

The statements in this section are based on the current U.S. federal income tax laws, are for general information purposes only and are not tax advice. We cannot assure you that new laws, interpretations of law or court decisions, any of which may take effect retroactively, will not cause any statement in this section to be inaccurate.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a share of our stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any of the following:

A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner (other than an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of a share of our stock that is not a U.S. Holder.

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership or a partner of a partnership considering an investment in our stock, you should consult your own tax advisors.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AS TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HOLDERS OF OUR STOCK, INCLUDING STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR(S). THE DISCUSSION HEREIN IS BASED ON THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS AS IN EFFECT AS OF THE DATE HEREOF. ALL HOLDERS OF OUR STOCK SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE IMPACT OF ANY FUTURE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS OR LEGISLATION ENACTED AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

Taxation of Ownership and Disposition of Stock

U.S. Holders

Taxation of U.S. Holders on Distributions on Our Stock

The gross amount of distributions on our stock will be taxable as ordinary dividend income to you to the extent paid out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that such distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will constitute a return of capital that is applied against, and will reduce, your tax basis in our stock (but not below zero) and then will be treated as gain from the sale of such stock. Certain individuals and other non-corporate stockholders may be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates of tax with respect to distributions treated as qualified dividend income if certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the treatment of distributions as qualified dividend income in light of your particular circumstances.

Taxation of U.S. Holders on the Disposition of Our Stock

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale or exchange of shares of stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for the shares of stock and your tax basis in such shares. In general, any capital gain or loss will be long-term if your holding period for the shares (or fractional shares) is more than one year and will be short-term if your holding period is one year or less. Long-term capital gains of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers are generally eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations. You should consult your tax advisor as to the consequences of a sale of our stock in view of your particular circumstances.

Taxation of U.S. Holders on Distributions to Holders of Depositary Shares

Owners of depositary shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were owners of the underlying preferred stock represented by such depositary shares. Accordingly, such owners will be entitled to take into account, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, income and deductions to which they would be entitled if they were direct holders of the underlying preferred shares. In addition, (1) no gain or loss will be recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the withdrawal of certificates evidencing the underlying preferred stock in exchange for depositary receipts, (2) the tax basis of each share of the underlying preferred stock to an exchanging owner of depositary shares will, upon such exchange, be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the depositary shares exchanged therefore, and (3) the holding period for the underlying preferred stock in the hands of an exchanging owner of depositary shares will include the period during which such person owned such depositary shares.

Taxation of U.S. Holders on a Redemption of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares

A redemption of our preferred stock and depositary shares will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution that is taxable as dividend income (to the extent of its current or accumulated earnings and profits), unless the redemption satisfies certain tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale of the preferred stock or depositary shares (in which case the redemption will be treated in the same manner as a sale described above in the section entitled “—Taxation of U.S. Holders on the Disposition of Our Stock”). The redemption will satisfy such tests if it: (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder’s interest in our stock; (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in all classes of our stock; or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the stockholder, all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code. In determining whether any of these tests have been met, stock considered to be owned by the holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as stock actually owned, generally must be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the three alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code described above will be satisfied with respect to any particular U.S. Holder of the preferred stock or depositary shares depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment. If a redemption of our preferred stock or depositary shares does not meet any of the three tests described above, the redemption proceeds will be treated as a distribution, as described above in the section entitled “—Taxation of U.S. Holders on Distributions on Our Stock.” In that case, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the redeemed preferred stock or depositary shares will be transferred to such U.S. Holder’s remaining stock holdings in us. If the U.S. Holder does not retain any of our shares, such basis could be transferred to a related person that holds our stock or it may be lost.

Non-U.S. Holders

Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders on Distributions on Our Stock

In the event that we make a distribution of cash or other property (other than certain pro rata distributions of our stock) in respect of our stock, the distribution generally will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent it is paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Any portion of a distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits generally will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted tax basis of a Non-U.S. Holder’s stock, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its stock, the excess will be treated as gain from the disposition of stock (the tax treatment of which is discussed below under “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders on Disposition of Stock”).

Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis generally in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

A Non-U.S. Holder who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) certifying under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person (as defined under the Code) and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if our stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of the applicable Treasury Regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

A Non-U.S. Holder will not incur tax on a distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if the excess portion of such distribution does not exceed the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis of its stock. Instead, the excess portion of such distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of such stock. A Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on a distribution that exceeds both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis of its stock, if the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise would be subject to tax on gain from the sale or disposition of its stock, as described below under “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders on Disposition of Stock”. Because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, a Non-U.S. Holder may claim a refund of amounts that we withhold if we later determine that a distribution in fact exceeded our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

If we are treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“USRPHC”), we will be required to withhold 15% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Consequently, although we intend to withhold at a rate of 30% on the entire amount of any distribution, to the extent that we do not do so, we may withhold at a rate of 15% on any portion of a distribution not subject to withholding at a rate of 30%.

A Non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty or otherwise may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders on Disposition of Stock

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of our stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

A Non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. In addition, if any Non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above is a foreign corporation, the gain realized by such Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

An individual Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) tax on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition. Such gain may be offset by U.S. source capital losses even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States.

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of (i) its combined U.S. and non-U.S. real property interests and (ii) its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). We have not determined whether we are a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are or become a USPRHC, however, so long as shares of our stock are regularly traded on an established securities market during the calendar year in which the sale or other disposition occurs, only a Non-U.S. Holder who holds or held (at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the date of disposition or the holder’s holding period) more than 5% of our stock will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the sale or other disposition of shares of our stock.

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding; Shares Held Offshore

We will report to our stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions we pay during each calendar year, and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to distributions unless the holder:

A stockholder who does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the stockholder’s income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any U.S. Holders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to us.

Backup withholding will generally not apply to payments of dividends made by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a Non-U.S. Holder, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient. Payments of the net proceeds from a disposition or a redemption effected outside the United States by a Non-U.S. Holder made by or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, information reporting (but not backup withholding) generally will apply to such a payment if the broker has certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a Non-U.S. Holder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Payment of the net proceeds from a disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of our stock made by or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person and satisfies certain other requirements or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.

Additionally, under FATCA, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate will be imposed on dividends paid on our stock received by U.S. Holders who own their stock through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries if certain disclosure requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of any amounts withheld.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS. Stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding application of backup withholding to them, including under FATCA, and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining an exemption from, backup withholding.

BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

We may issue the securities offered by means of this prospectus in whole or in part in book-entry form, meaning that beneficial owners of the securities will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except in the event the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. If securities are issued in book entry form, they will be evidenced by one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities. The Depository Trust Company is expected to serve as depository. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by the depository or any nominee of such depository to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a class or series of securities that differ from the terms described here will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depository for the global security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the individual securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such depository, who are called “participants.” Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to the securities or by us if the securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to the depository’s participants or persons that may hold interests through such participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable depository or its nominee (with respect to beneficial interests of participants) and records of the participants (with respect to beneficial interests of persons who hold through participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a global security.

So long as the depository for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of such global security, such depository or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable instrument defining the rights of a holder of the securities. Except as provided below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual securities of the series represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable instrument defining the rights of the holders of the securities.

Payments of amounts payable with respect to individual securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such securities. None of us, our officers and board members or any trustee, paying agent or security registrar for an individual series of securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security for such securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depository for a series of securities offered by means of this prospectus or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest, dividend or other amount in respect of a permanent global security representing any of such securities, will immediately credit its participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security for such securities as shown on the records of such depository or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

If a depository for a series of securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of securities. In addition, we may, at any time and in our sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such securities, determine not to have any securities of such series represented by one or more global securities and, in such event, will issue individual securities of such series in exchange for the global security or securities representing such series of securities.