simple theory on commons...
currently tied in with the debts and assets...
NOL = Net Operating Loss
If they get rid of the commons currently on the books, and reissue on the reorganization, they wipe the books clean of debt and restart again....
Now, if they do that, they forego the NOL's since it would have been tied in with the old shares, and start anew.
I don't think they'd do that if they want to keep the NOL's as a tax advantage.
I could be wrong, but that is how it was explained way back....