Exhibit 8.1
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THE WARNER 1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVE., TEL +1 202.639.7700 |
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AUSTIN |
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BEIJING | |
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DALLAS | |
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DUBAI | |
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HONG KONG | |
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HOUSTON | |
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LONDON | |
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MOSCOW | |
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NEW YORK | |
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RIYADH | |
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WASHINGTON |
[ ]
Âé¶¹app
12300 Âé¶¹app Boulevard
Englewood, CO 80112
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As counsel for Âé¶¹app, a Delaware corporation (Âé¶¹app), we have examined and are familiar with the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-208699) (the Registration Statement), which was filed by Âé¶¹app on [ ] with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for the purpose of registering, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the reclassification (the Reclassification), whereby at the effective time:
· each outstanding share of Âé¶¹apps Series A common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series A Common Stock), will be converted into and exchanged for [ ] of a share of Series A Âé¶¹app Braves common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series A Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock), [ ] of a share of Series A Âé¶¹app SiriusXM common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series A Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock), and [ ] of a share of Series A Âé¶¹app Media common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series A Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock);
· each outstanding share of Âé¶¹apps Series B common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series B Common Stock), will be converted into and exchanged for [ ] of a share of Series B Âé¶¹app Braves common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series B Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock), [ ] of a share of Series B Âé¶¹app SiriusXM common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series B Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock), and [ ] of a share of Series B Âé¶¹app Media common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series B Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock); and
· each outstanding share of Âé¶¹apps Series C common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series C Common Stock, and together with the Series A Common Stock and the Series B Common Stock, the Old Âé¶¹app Common Stock), will be converted into and exchanged for [ ] of a share of Series C Âé¶¹app Braves common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series C Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock, and together with the Series A Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock and the Series B Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock, the Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock), [ ] of a share of Series C Âé¶¹app SiriusXM common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series C Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock, and together with the Series A Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock and the Series B Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock, the Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock), and [ ] of a share of Series C Âé¶¹app Media common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Series C Âé¶¹app
Media Common Stock, and together with the Series A Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock and the Series B Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock, the Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock).
The terms of the Reclassification, the Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock, the Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock, and the Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock are described in the proxy statement/prospectus (the Proxy Statement) which forms a part of the Registration Statement. We have participated in the preparation of the discussion set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences (the Discussion), which is premised upon the provision by us of this opinion and the accuracy of the facts, information, statements, representations, covenants, and assumptions upon which this opinion is based. References herein to the Code shall refer to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
In providing this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the facts, information, statements, representations, and covenants contained in (i) the representation letter, dated as of the date hereof, that was provided to us by Âé¶¹app, (ii) the Proxy Statement, (iii) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Âé¶¹app, which will be in effect at the effective time of the Reclassification, and (iv) such other documents and records, and information provided to us by Âé¶¹app, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for this opinion. References to each of the documents above include references to any exhibits, attachments, appendices, and schedules thereto. This opinion assumes and is conditioned on, among other things, the initial and continuing accuracy and completeness, which we have neither investigated nor verified, of the facts, information, statements, representations, and covenants set forth in each of the documents referred to above. This opinion further assumes that all of the facts, information, statements, representations, and covenants set forth in the representation letter referred to above are true, correct, and complete without regard to any qualification for knowledge or belief.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, electronic, or facsimile copies and the authenticity of the originals of such documents. We also have assumed that the Reclassification will be consummated in the manner described in the Proxy Statement, and that none of the terms and conditions of the Reclassification will have been waived or modified in any respect. Any inaccuracy in any of the aforementioned facts, information, statements, representations, or assumptions or any breach of any of the aforementioned covenants could adversely affect this opinion.
Subject to the foregoing and subject to the conditions, limitations, and qualifications described herein and in the Discussion, it is our opinion that, under presently applicable U.S. federal income tax law:
· the Reclassification will be treated as a reorganization, within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code;
· the Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock, Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock, and Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock issued in the Reclassification will be treated as stock of Âé¶¹app for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
· no gain or loss will be recognized by Âé¶¹app as a result of the Reclassification;
· holders of Old Âé¶¹app Common Stock will not recognize income, gain or loss as a result of the receipt of shares of Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock, Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock, and Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock in the Reclassification (except with respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares of our Âé¶¹app Braves common stock, Âé¶¹app SiriusXM common stock, and Âé¶¹app Media common stock); and
· the Âé¶¹app Braves Common Stock, Âé¶¹app SiriusXM Common Stock, and Âé¶¹app Media Common Stock issued in the Reclassification will not constitute Section 306 stock, within the meaning of Section 306(c) of the Code.
This opinion is based on our interpretation of the Code, applicable Treasury regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date hereof. There can be no assurance that future legislative, judicial or administrative changes or interpretations will not adversely affect the accuracy of the conclusions set forth herein. We do not undertake to advise you as to any such future changes or interpretations unless we are specifically retained to do so. This opinion is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) or any court and will not preclude the IRS or such court from adopting a contrary position. We express no other opinion as to the U.S. federal, and express no opinion as to the state, local, foreign, or other tax consequences, of the Reclassification.
This opinion is delivered to you solely in connection with and for purposes of the transactions contemplated by the Proxy Statement and is not to be relied upon by any other person, quoted in whole or in part, or otherwise referred to (except in a list of closing documents), nor is it to be provided to any other person without our prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, we consent to the filing of the form of this letter with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm name in the Proxy Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules of the SEC thereunder.
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Sincerely, |
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BAKER BOTTS L.L.P. |