TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Reports say Blackstone interested in Busch Gardens

ADVERTISEMENT

By SHANNON BEHNKEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2009

TAMPA - Busch Gardens may be closer to getting a new owner.

Blackstone Group LP, a New York-based investment firm, is looking into a possible deal to buy Anheuser-Busch InBev's theme parks, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. It cited an unidentified source.

InBev bought Anheuser-Busch last year and has been searching for months for a buyer for theme parks operated under Busch Entertainment Corp. The amusement parks include Busch Gardens and SeaWorld.

InBev paid $52 billion for Anheuser-Busch. Blackstone already has stakes in Universal Orlando and Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Blackstone also owns London-based Merlin Entertainments Group.

Analysts have estimated a Busch Entertainment sale could fetch between $2 billion and $5 billion.

Representatives for Anheuser-Busch InBev could not be reached for comment.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT