M&A Deal Summary

The Blackstone Group Acquires Universal Orlando

On July 1, 2000, private equity firm The Blackstone Group acquired leisure company Universal Orlando from Rank Group for 275M USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 4th transaction in the Leisure sector.
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 139th largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 41st transaction in the United States.
  • This is The Blackstone Group’s 1st transaction in Florida.
Investment Fate
  • Universal Orlando was sold to a publicly-traded strategic buyer in 2011 for 1.0B USD.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2000-07-01
Target Universal Orlando
Sector Leisure
Buyer(s) The Blackstone Group
Sellers(s) Rank Group
Deal Type Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)
Deal Value 275M USD

Target

Universal Orlando

Orlando, Florida, United States
Universal Orlando is comprised of Universal Studios Florida, a theme park focused primarily on 'stationary' entertainment; Islands of Adventure, a ?thrill ride? oriented park based on 5 distinct island themes; and CityWalk, a night life entertainment and restaurant complex.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

The Blackstone Group

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1987
PE ASSETS 131.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

The Blackstone Group is a global alternative investment management firm. The Firm's investment activities span real estate, secondary investments, hedge funds, credit, infrastructure, and private equity. Blackstone's private equity group targets opportunities globally including buyout acquisitions of established companies, development projects, growth equity financings, and industry consolidations. Sectors of interest include automotive, healthcare, chemicals, industrial, commercial property, lodging, communications, media/publishing, consumer & retail, packaging, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, energy, technology, entertainment, telecommunications, financial services, theme parks, food & beverage, and transportation. Blackstone's private equity real estate group looks for opportunities across North/South America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, and Europe. The real estate group will consider both equity and debt investments. Areas of interest include healthcare, hotel, industrial, office, residential, and retail. The Blackstone Group was formed in 1987 and is based in New York City.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 51 of 333
Sector (Leisure) 4 of 16
Type (Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)) 21 of 75
State (Florida) 1 of 10
Country (United States) 41 of 210
Year (2000) 17 of 19
Size (of disclosed) 139 of 171
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2000-07-01 iPCS

Schaumburg, Illinois, United States

iPCS, through its operating subsidiaries, was a Sprint PCS Affiliate of Sprint Nextel Corporation with the exclusive right to sell wireless mobility communications network products and services under the Sprint brand in 81 markets including markets in Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Tennessee.

Buy $330M
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2000-07-18 StorageApps

Bridgewater, New Jersey, United States

StorageApps Inc. provided enterprise storage delivery and support, and other storage area network solutions.

Buy $230M

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

Rank Group

Maidenhead, United Kingdom

Category Company
Founded 1937
Sector Gaming
Employees7,300
Revenue 682M GBP (2023)
DESCRIPTION

Rank Group is a provider of gaming and betting services in the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, and Malta. Rank Group was founded in 1937 and is based in Maidenhead, England.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 2 of 3
Sector (Leisure) 1 of 1
Type (Buyout (LBO, MBO, MBI)) 1 of 1
State (Florida) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 1 of 1
Year (2000) 2 of 2
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2000-02-01 ODEON Cinemas

London, United Kingdom

ODEON Cinemas Ltd. is a cinema operator with 242 cinemas and 2,236 screens. Odeon & UCI operates in four major markets: UK, Spain, Italy and Germany; and three smaller markets: Austria, Portugal and Ireland.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2019-10-04 Stride Gaming

London, United Kingdom

Stride Gaming is an online gaming operator in both the Bingo-led and social gaming market, using its proprietary and purchased software to provide online bingo and related gaming and social activities to players. Stride Gaming only operates in regulated markets. The Group operates a multi-branded strategy which includes the online bingo brands Kitty Bingo, Lucky Pants Bingo, Bingo Extra, Jackpot Café, Jackpot Liner, King Jackpot, together with online casino and slots brands Spin, Magical Vegas, Big Top Casino and Slots Bonanza. Stride Gaming was founded in 2012 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Buy £115M