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Busch Set To Vote On InBev Merger; Busch Gardens In Limbo

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2008

TAMPA - Anheuser Busch Cos. shareholders are scheduled to vote Wednesday on approval for a $52 billion merger with Belgium-based InBev that will create the world's largest brewer.

But the deal expected to close by the end of December likely will result in the sell-off of Busch Entertainment Corp. and its theme parks, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

No buyer has been identified, although speculation appeared in published news accounts this summer of potential suitors for the theme park division. InBev would like to unload the Busch entertainment division because its expertise lies in the brewing business and it could raise money for the merger by selling off the theme parks.

The Telegraph, a London-based newspaper, reported that the owner of British theme park giant Merlin Entertainment was preparing a bid for Busch Entertainment, while the Times of London reported that Parques Reunidos, a Spanish theme-park owner, hired bankers to prepare a bid.

In a related matter, InBev plans to "dramatically" shake up the top ranks of Anheuser-Busch Cos. when it takes over the biggest U.S. brewer, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported this week after obtaining an internal Busch Cos. e-mail.

Keith Kasen, chairman and chief executive of Busch Entertainment Corp., will leave the company once the deal is complete, the newspaper reported.

Jim Atchison, president and chief operating officer of the theme-park subsidiary that operates Busch Gardens and the SeaWorld parks out of Orlando, will remain, the newspaper report said.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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