Herschend acquires the Harlem Globetrotters

Posted Tuesday, October 1, 2013 10:59 AM | Contributed by Jeff

[Ed. note: The following is an excerpt of a press release. -J]

Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (HFE) announced today it has acquired Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. (HGI) from Shamrock Capital Advisors. Effective immediately, HGI is a wholly owned subsidiary of HFE. HFE is the largest family-owned themed attractions company in the U.S., owning and operating 26 properties throughout the country, including theme parks, aquariums, hospitality businesses and tours.

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.

Read the entire press release from Herschend Family Entertainment.