SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): August 6, 1998
BALLY TOTAL FITNESS HOLDING CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission file number: 0-27478
Delaware 36-3228107
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation) Identification No.)
8700 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60631
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (773) 380-3000
Page 1 of 2
Exhibit Index on Page 2
<PAGE>
BALLY TOTAL FITNESS HOLDING CORPORATION
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Item 5. Other Events
On August 6, 1998, Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation announced
the authorization to repurchase up to 1,500,000 shares of its common
stock on the open market from time to time. A copy of the press
release is attached as Exhibit 99 hereto and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
c. Exhibits
99 Press Release dated August 6, 1998
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BALLY TOTAL FITNESS HOLDING CORPORATION
---------------------------------------
Registrant
Dated: August 13, 1998 /s/ Cary A. Gaan
---------------------------------------
Cary A. Gaan
Senior Vice President, Secretary and
General Counsel
Page 2 of 2
EXHIBIT 99
CONTACT: Dave Southern
Vice President, Public and Investor Relations
Bally Total Fitness Corporation
(773) 399-7611
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALLY TOTAL FITNESS ANNOUNCES AUTHORIZATION
OF STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN
CHICAGO, August 6, 1998 - Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation
(NYSE:BFT), the nation's largest commercial fitness center operator, today
announced that it is authorized to repurchase up to 1,500,000 shares of its
Common Stock on the open market from time to time.
President and CEO, Lee Hillman, commented, "This action underscores our
Board's optimism about the Company's continued improving performance and
commitment to the Company's future prospects. We believe the purchase of our
Common Stock represents an attractive opportunity to benefit the long term
interests of the Company and its shareholders."
Bally Total Fitness is the largest, and only nationwide, operator of
fitness centers in the United States, with approximately four million members
and 325 facilities in 27 states and Canada.
###
