“Genesis Capital provided us invaluable guidance to navigate and ultimately succeed in a highly competitive process”, said Joel Manby, HFE’s President and CEO. “Genesis initially identified the opportunity and strategic fit, then assisted in every aspect of the transaction. This enabled us to be successful in acquiring an extremely unique and iconic franchise.”
A complement to HFE’s family-friendly portfolio of businesses, this acquisition marks an expansion for the company into new media, audiences and markets. HGI brings to HFE a hugely popular and relevant brand that has seen a resurgence in the past five years, growing from a live event touring company into a full-fledged global entertainment brand. The Globetrotters perform over 400 live events worldwide annually, reaching over three million fans in more than 30 countries. Last year, HGI produced all-time highs in live-event revenue, sponsorship partnerships, merchandise sales and media impressions, all while building a top-notch online community and introducing its star players to a new generation of fans.
“For nearly nine decades, the Harlem Globetrotters have had a rich tradition of creating family memories through sports and entertainment. The team is coming off its best touring year ever, and this acquisition helps HFE diversify into a new but complementary business,” said Joel Manby, HFE’s President and CEO, in making the announcement. “Becoming the new owners of this legendary team is a natural step as HFE continues to develop wholesome, immersive entertainment that parents can trust – entertainment that brings families closer together.”
“We couldn’t be more pleased to join the HFE family. The Globetrotters enjoy a huge global popularity that spans all continents, and our brand is hotter than ever. Under HFE’s ownership, we are looking forward to building upon this domestic and international success,” said Kurt Schneider, HGI’s CEO. “We also see opportunities to cross-market between the Harlem Globetrotters’ popular tour and players and HFE’s family attractions, allowing both companies to reach even more fans. We are very thankful for Shamrock’s stewardship of the brand these past eight years.”
“We feel very fortunate that we had the opportunity to be stewards of this treasured American brand,” commented Michael LaSalle, Partner at Shamrock Capital Advisors. “The current team has enabled the Harlem Globetrotters to entertain more families than ever before, and we look forward to watching the next successful chapter of this storied franchise.”
HFE was founded more than 50 years ago and is still privately owned by the Herschend family. Brothers Jack and Pete Herschend are co-founders of the company. In 2004, the brothers were inducted into the Hall of Fame of the amusement industry’s largest organization worldwide, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), for their strategic vision and leadership in the theme attractions industry. Over the years, HFE’s many properties have been internationally lauded numerous times for excellence in theme, shows, entertainment and operations. In fact, the best new ride in the world was won by Dollywood in 2012 and Silver Dollar City in 2013.
The Harlem Globetrotters were founded in 1926 as the Savoy Big Five. Now, 88 years, over 25,000 games, six continents and 122 countries and territories later, the team has become one of the most recognizable franchises in sports and entertainment. One of only nine teams to ever be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters play over 400 exhibition games worldwide annually and have entertained over 138 million fans in their storied history.
Genesis Capital, LLC acted as the investment banker and McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP provided legal counsel for Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. Piper Jaffray & Co. acted as the investment banker and Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel for Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. and Shamrock Capital Advisors, LLC.
ABOUT HERSCHEND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (HFE) is the largest family-owned themed attractions corporation in the U.S. The company creates, develops and operates entertainment, tourism and hospitality properties spanning 26 locations in ten states. HFE is committed to creating memories worth repeating® by producing wholesome, immersive family entertainment experiences. Properties include: operating partner with Dolly Parton in Tennessee’s Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country; owners of Branson, Missouri’s Silver Dollar City; operating partner in Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park; owner of Adventure and Newport Aquariums in New Jersey and Kentucky; owners of Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. For more information, visit www.hfecorp.com.
ABOUT HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS INTERNATIONAL
Sponsored by Wonderful Pistachios, Howard Johnson Hotels and Greyhound Lines, the Original Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 88th consecutive year, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 122 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over more than eight thrilling decades. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.
ABOUT SHAMROCK
Shamrock Capital Advisors is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm with over $700 million of capital under management. Investing exclusively in the media, entertainment, and communications sectors, Shamrock partners with strong management teams and takes an active, collaborative approach to creating value in each investment. Originally founded in 1978 as the Roy E. Disney family investment company, Shamrock is currently investing out of Shamrock Capital Growth Fund III, a $400 million fund raised in 2011. Shamrock’s current investments include Giant Creative/Strategy, INgrooves, Learfield Communications, MarketCast, Mobilitie, Mojiva, PGOA, Screenvision, and T3 Media. For more information, visit www.shamrockcap.com.