EX-10.3 3 dxlg-ex103_14.htm EX-10.3 FORM OF OPTION AGREEMENT - LITP

Exhibit 10.3

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

2016 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN, AS AMENDED

Pursuant to Destination XL Group, Inc.

Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

FOR

[NAME]

1.Grant of Option. DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants, as of ____________________ (“Date of Grant”), to _______________ (the “Optionee”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase up to ____ shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value per share (the “Shares”), at an exercise price per share equal to $______ (the “Exercise Price”). The Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Option was issued pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (the “Plan”) and the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”)(a copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A”), which are incorporated herein for all purposes. The Option is a Non-Qualified Stock Option, and not an Incentive Stock Option. The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the LTIP and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and all applicable laws and regulations.

2.Definitions. Unless otherwise provided herein, terms used herein that are defined in the Plan and not defined herein shall have the meanings attributed thereto in the Plan and the LTIP.

3.Exercise Schedule. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6 or 9 of this Agreement, or in the Plan, the Option is exercisable in installments as provided below, which shall be cumulative. To the extent that the Option has become exercisable with respect to a percentage of Shares as provided below, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein. The following table indicates each date (the “Vesting Date”) upon which the Optionee shall be entitled to exercise the Option with respect to the percentage of the Option granted as indicated beside the date, provided that the Continuous Service of the Optionee continues through and on the applicable Vesting Date:

Vesting Date | Percentage of Option Becoming Available for Exercise | Cumulative Percentage Exercisable
June 11, 2021 | 25% |
April 1, 2022 | 25% | 50%
April 1, 2023 | 25% | 75%
April 1, 2024 | 25% | 100%

updated June 2020

Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 9, there shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each Vesting Date, and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate Vesting Date. Upon the termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service with the Company and its Related Entities, any unvested portion of the Option shall terminate and be null and void, except as may otherwise be determined by the Committee in writing in its sole discretion.

4.Method of Exercise. The vested portion of this Option shall be exercisable in whole or in part in accordance with the exercise schedule set forth in Section 3 hereof by written notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the holder’s investment intent with respect to such Shares as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised after both (a) receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price and (b) arrangements that are satisfactory to the Committee in its sole discretion have been made for Optionee’s payment to the Company of the amount, if any, that is necessary to be withheld in accordance with applicable Federal or state withholding requirements. No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the Option unless and until such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of applicable law, including the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares then may be traded.

5.Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee: (a) cash; (b) check; (c) the withholding of Shares that otherwise would be delivered to the Optionee as a result of the exercise of the Option, (d) pursuant to a “cashless exercise” procedure, by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation, and subject to such guidelines, as the Committee shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company by a licensed broker acceptable to the Company of proceeds from the sale of Shares, (e) to the extent permitted by the Committee, with Shares owned by the Optionee, or (f) such other consideration or in such other manner as may be determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion.

6.Termination of Option.

(a)Any unexercised portion of the Option shall automatically and without notice terminate and become null and void at the time of the earliest to occur of the following:

(i)unless the Committee otherwise determines in writing in its sole discretion, three months after the date on which the Optionee’s Continuous Service is terminated other than by reason of (A) by the Company or a Related Entity for Justifiable Cause, (B) a Disability of the Optionee as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee, or (C) the death of the Optionee;

(ii)immediately upon the termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service by the Company or a Related Entity for Justifiable Cause;

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(iii)twelve months after the date on which the Optionee’s Continuous Service is terminated by reason of a Disability as determined by a medical doctor satisfactory to the Committee;

(iv)(A) twelve months after the date of termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Service by reason of the death of the Optionee, or, if later, (B) three months after the date on which the Optionee shall die if such death shall occur during the twelve month period specified in Section 6(a)(iii) hereof; or

(v)the tenth anniversary of the date as of which the Option is granted.

(b)To the extent not previously exercised, (i) the Option shall terminate immediately in the event of (A) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (B) any reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of corporate transaction in which the Company does not survive or the Shares are exchanged for or converted into securities issued by another entity, or an affiliate of such successor or acquiring entity, unless the successor or acquiring entity, or an affiliate thereof, assumes the Option or substitutes an equivalent option or right pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Plan, and (ii) the Committee in its sole discretion may by written notice (“cancellation notice”) cancel, effective upon the consummation of any corporate transaction described in Section 11(c) of the Plan, the Option (or portion thereof) that remains unexercised on such date. The Committee shall give written notice of any proposed transaction referred to in this Section 6(b) a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date for such transaction (which notice may be given either before or after approval of such transaction), in order that the Optionee may have a reasonable period of time prior to the closing date of such transaction within which to exercise the Option if and to the extent that it then is exercisable (including any portion of the Option that may become exercisable upon the closing date of such transaction). The Optionee may condition his or her exercise of the Option upon the consummation of a transaction referred to in this Section 6(b).

7.Transferability. The Option granted hereby is not transferable unless and until the Shares have been delivered to the Optionee in settlement of the Option in accordance with this Agreement, otherwise than by will or under the applicable laws of descent and distribution, except that the Option may be transferred to one or more Beneficiaries or other transferees during the lifetime of the Optionee, but only if and to the extent such transfers are permitted by the Committee (subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee may impose thereon), are by gift or pursuant to a domestic relations order, are to a “Permitted Assignee” that is a permissible transferee under the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares of stock on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or any successor or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, other registration statement pursuant to which Awards, Shares, rights or interests under the Plan are then registered under such Act), if applicable. A Beneficiary, transferee, executor, administrator, heir, successor and assign of the Optionee or any other person claiming any rights with respect to the Option shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the first sentence of this Section, any attempt to effect a Transfer of any Option prior to the date on which the Shares have been delivered to the Optionee in settlement of the Option shall be void ab initio. For purposes of this Agreement, “Transfer” shall mean any sale,

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transfer, encumbrance, gift, donation, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, or other disposition, whether similar or dissimilar to those previously enumerated, whether voluntary or involuntary, and including, but not limited to, any disposition by operation of law, by court order, by judicial process, or by foreclosure, levy or attachment.

8.No Rights of Stockholders. Neither the Optionee nor any personal representative (or Beneficiary) shall be, or shall have any of the rights and privileges of, a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares purchasable or issuable upon the exercise of the Option, in whole or in part, prior to the date of exercise of the Option.

9.Acceleration of Exercisability of Option.

(a)Acceleration of Vesting Upon Termination. In the event that the Optionee’s Continuous Service is terminated either by the Company without Justifiable Cause or by the Optionee for Good Reason, any acceleration of exercisability of this Option shall be in accordance with Sections 7(a)(ii)(C) and 7(b)(ii)(C) of the LTIP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Change in Control of the Company occurs, Section 7(e) of the LTIP shall apply.

(b)Acceleration of Vesting Upon Death or Disability. In the event that the Optionee’s Continuous Service terminates by reason of the Optionee’s Disability or death, any acceleration of exercisability of this Option shall be in accordance with Sections 7(a)(ii)(A) and 7(b)(ii)(A) of the LTIP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Change in Control of the Company occurs, Section 7(e) of the LTIP shall apply.

(c)Acceleration of Vesting Upon Retirement. In the event that the Optionee’s Continuous Service terminates by reason of the Optionee’s Retirement, any acceleration of exercisability of this Option shall be in accordance with Sections 7(a)(ii)(B) and 7(b)(ii)(B) of the LTIP.

(d)Acceleration of Vesting at Company Discretion. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Committee from taking action, in its sole discretion, to accelerate the vesting of any Award in connection with or following an Optionee’s death, Disability, termination of Continuous Service or the consummation of a Change in Control.

10.Tax Matters.

(a)Withholding. As a condition to the Company’s obligations with respect to the Option hereunder, the Optionee shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to pay to the Company any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required to be withheld with respect to the delivery of Shares corresponding to the exercise of such Option.

(b)Participant’s Responsibilities for Tax Consequences. The tax consequences to the Optionee (including without limitation federal, state, local and foreign income tax consequences) with respect to the Option (including without limitation the grant, vesting and/or delivery thereof) are the sole responsibility of the Optionee. The Optionee shall consult with his or her own personal accountant(s) and/or tax advisor(s) regarding these matters and the Optionee’s filing, withholding and payment (or tax liability) obligations.

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11.Amendment, Modification & Assignment. This Agreement may only be modified or amended in a writing signed by the parties hereto. No promises, assurances, commitments, agreements, undertakings or representations, whether oral, written, electronic or otherwise, and whether express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof, have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. Unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Company, in its sole discretion, this Agreement (and Participant’s rights hereunder) may not be assigned, and the obligations of Participant hereunder may not be delegated, in whole or in part. The rights and obligations created hereunder shall be binding on the Participant and his heirs and legal representatives and on the successors and assigns of the Company.

12.Complete Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Plan and those other agreements and documents expressly referred to herein, for the purposes referred to herein) embody the complete and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede any and all prior promises, assurances, commitments, agreements, undertakings or representations, whether oral, written, electronic or otherwise, and whether express or implied, which may relate to the subject matter hereof in any way.

13.Miscellaneous.

(a)No Right to Continued Employment. Neither the Option nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continued employment or service with the Company.

No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements

. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall preclude the Company or any Related Entity from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation plans, agreements or arrangements, and any such plans, agreements and arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases or to specific persons.

Severability

. If any term or provision of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or under any applicable law, rule or regulation, then such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable law (or if such provision cannot be so construed or deemed amended without materially altering the purpose or intent of this Agreement and the grant of the Option hereunder, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction and the remainder of this Agreement and the award hereunder shall remain in full force and effect).

No Trust or Fund Created

. Neither this Agreement nor the grant of Option hereunder shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Related Entity and the Participant or any other person. To the extent that the Participant or any other person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Related Entity pursuant to this Agreement, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.

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(e)Law Governing. This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware (without reference to the conflict of laws rules or principles thereof).

(f)Interpretation / Provisions of Plan Control. This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations relating to the Plan adopted by the Committee as may be in effect from time to time. If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. The Optionee accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. The undersigned Optionee hereby accepts as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Plan and this Agreement, unless shown to have been made in an arbitrary and capricious manner.

Headings

. Section, paragraph and other headings and captions are provided solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings and captions shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction, meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any term or provision hereof.

(h)Notices. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally or when deposited in the United States mail, registered, postage prepaid, and addressed, in the case of the Company, to the Company’s Secretary at 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA 02021, or if the Company should move its principal office, to such principal office, and, in the case of the Optionee, to the Optionee’s last permanent address as shown on the Company’s records, subject to the right of either party to designate some other address at any time hereafter in a notice satisfying the requirements of this Section.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the ____ day of _____________________, 20___.

COMPANY:

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation

By:

Name:

Title:

The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she has reviewed the provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, is familiar with and understands their terms and provisions, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the Option Agreement. The Optionee further represents that he or she has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement.

Dated:OPTIONEE:

By:

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