Apollo, Six Flags explore SeaWorld buyout: sources

[GAcoaster 375]

From Reuters:

 

Apollo, Six Flags explore SeaWorld buyout: sources

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, which is exploring a sale, has attracted early buyout interest from private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC (APO.N) and amusement park operator Six Flags Entertainment Corp (SIX.N), according to three people familiar with the matter.

Orlando, Florida-based SeaWorld, controlled by private equity firm Blackstone Group LP (BX.N), filed for an initial public offering in December but is also in talks with potential buyers in what is known as a "dual track" process, Reuters reported previously.Apollo, which got into the resort and leisure business with its $262 million acquisition of Great Wolf Resorts in 2012, and Six Flags, the largest regional theme park operator in the world, are among several potentially interested parties, according to the sources.

 

The process is largely limited to a small group of industry players that have experience in the sector, one source said.

 

A deal could value SeaWorld, known for its killer whale mascot Shamu, at about $4 billion, based on the financials of its publicly listed peers, such as Six Flags and Cedar Fair LP (FUN.N).

 

Blackstone acquired SeaWorld from beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA (ABI.BR) for $2.3 billion in December 2009, according to Blackstone's website.

 

Blackstone and Apollo declined to comment, while Six Flags was not immediately available. The sources asked not to be named because the process is not public.

 

A public offering for SeaWorld remained the more likely route since it would come at a time when shares for amusement park operators are trading at healthy levels, one source said.

 

Established operators in the U.S. theme park industry host about 315 million visitors per year and have proven resilient in a weak economy as parents still turn to them for family vacations.

 

 

SeaWorld owns 11 theme parks, including those with the SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place brands, and cares for more than 67,000 animals.

 

 

This is interesting and not unexpected since both Six Flags and Apollo explored the purchase of Cedar Fair as well. I just feel like the SeaWorld parks are a bad fit for Six Flags, but if Apollo just lets SeaWorld do what they do, that could owrk and they could leverage their ownership of Great Wolf.

 

I still think there may be other interested parties.

[batmanrobinchiller 2]

I think it would be a waste of money for Six Flags. SF doesn't get too involved with the aquarium, only with the select parks that have aquatic shows.

[The Master 152]

They would start to spread themselves out to thin again if they buy Seaworld.

Edited January 19, 2013 by The Master

[GAFanatic 0]

God, please do not let Six Flags get their hands on Busch Gardens. They would destroy those parks.