EX-8.1 5 d639742dex81.htm EX-8.1 EX-8.1

Exhibit 8.1

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300 North LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

 

+1 312 862 2000

 

www.kirkland.com

  

 

 

 

Facsimile:

+1 312 862 2200

March 28, 2019

Clear Channel Holdings, Inc.

20880 Stone Oak Parkway

San Antonio, TX 78258

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Clear Channel Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CCH”), in connection with the Merger, as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 27, 2019, by and among Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CCOH”) and CCH (the “Agreement”). This opinion is being delivered in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4, which includes the information statement/prospectus, initially filed on December 21, 2018, as amended through the effective date thereof (the “Registration Statement”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(8) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. Unless otherwise indicated, all defined terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

In rendering our opinion set forth below, we have examined and relied upon, without independent investigation or verification, the accuracy and completeness both initially and continuing as of the Effective Time, of the facts, information, representations, covenants and agreements contained in originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Agreement, the Registration Statement and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below. In addition, we have relied upon the accuracy and completeness, both initially and continuing as of the Effective Time, of certain statements, representations, covenants and agreements made by CCH and CCOH, including factual statements and representations set forth in letters dated the date hereof from officers of CCH and CCOH, respectively (the “Representation Letters”). For purposes of rendering our opinion, we have assumed that such statements, representations, covenants and agreements are, and will continue to be as of the Effective Time, true and correct without regard to any qualification as to knowledge. Our opinion assumes and is expressly conditioned on, among other things, the initial and continuing accuracy and completeness of the facts, information, representations, covenants and agreements set forth in the documents referred to above and the statements, representations, covenants and agreements made by CCH and CCOH, including those set forth in the Representation Letters, and we have assumed that the Representation Letters will be re-executed by the appropriate officers as of the Effective Time.

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 or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such documents. We also have assumed that the transactions related to the Merger or contemplated by the Agreement will be consummated in accordance with the Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement, and that none of the terms and conditions contained therein will have been waived or modified in any respect prior to the Effective Time. If any of the above described assumptions are untrue for any reason or if the transaction is consummated in a manner that is different from the manner described in the Agreement or the Registration Statement, our opinion as expressed below may be adversely affected.


In rendering our opinion, we have considered applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), pertinent judicial authorities, rulings of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and such other authorities as we have considered relevant, in each case, in effect on the date hereof. It should be noted that such laws, Code, Regulations, judicial decisions, administrative interpretations and other authorities are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect. A change in any of the authorities upon which our opinion is based, or any variation or difference in any fact from those set forth or assumed herein or in the Registration Statement, the Agreement or the Representation Letters, could affect our conclusions herein. Moreover, there can be no assurance that our opinion will be accepted by the IRS or, if challenged, by a court.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and based upon the Code, the Regulations, judicial decisions, revenue rulings and revenue procedures of the IRS, and other administrative pronouncements, all as in effect on the date hereof, it is our opinion that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. We hereby confirm that the statements set forth in the section of the Registration Statement entitled “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger,” subject to the qualifications stated therein, represent our opinion as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger to U.S. Holders of CCOH Common Stock.

Our opinion is not binding on the IRS or any court and there is no assurance or guarantee that the IRS or a court will agree with our conclusions.

Except as expressly set forth above, we express no opinion to any party as to any tax consequences, whether federal, state, local or foreign, of the Merger or of any transaction related to or contemplated by the Merger. In accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(23) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we are under no obligation to supplement or revise our opinion to reflect any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof or the impact of any information, document, certificate, record, statement, representation, covenant or assumption relied upon herein that becomes incorrect or untrue.

 

      Very truly yours,
      /s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP
      Kirkland & Ellis LLP