MGM Resorts agrees to sell real estate assets of MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay for $2.5b

January 14, 2020
By

MGM Resorts International has entered an agreement with Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT) to sell the real estate assets of MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay for around $2.5bn.

The transaction is part of a new joint venture between MGM Growth Properties (MGP) and BREIT. 

MGM is set to receive $2.4bn in net cash proceeds and another $85m in MGP operating partnership units. 

Additionally, MGP has agreed to pay MGM up to $1.4bn of MGM’s existing operating partnership units. 

These transactions will give MGM net cash proceeds of approximately $8.2bn when taking into account the sales of the Bellagio and Circus Circus late last year. 

MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren said: "These announcements represent a key milestone in executing the company's previously communicated asset-light strategy, one that enables a best-in-class balance sheet and strong free cash flow generation to provide MGM Resorts with meaningful strategic flexibility to create continued value for our shareholders."

BREIT will lease MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay to MGP for a rent of $292m at the offset. 

The joint venture gives MGP a 50.1% ownership, with BREIT owning the other 49.9%. 

Blackstone president Jon Gray said: "This transaction reflects our continuing strong conviction in Las Vegas. We are pleased to once again partner with MGM Resorts, a world-class operator, as well as MGM Growth Properties."

State-by-State

Product Spotlight

CasinoTrac

CasinoTrac is reducing handpay downtime by nearly 90% with SlotSUITE's Self-Pay & W-2 G printing at the slot machine.
GA HUDDLE #086

Michael Hershman - Dispelling casino 'myths:' New York needs to lose fear of the unknown

Michael Hershman, CEO of the Soloviev Group, joins Tim Poole on the Huddle to put forward his case that the Freedom Plaza is the way to go for one of New York's casino licences. He fields a variety of questions - not shying away from any of them - on why 'myths' about casinos and a fear of the unknown should be dispelled, as well as acknowledging the strength of rival bids and discussing opposition to the project.
GA HUDDLE #085

Christian Smith - Slot machines a "beautiful intersection of psychology and mathematics"

Bluberi's Christian Smith speaks to Gaming America in an enlightening Huddle. Topics include: the 'Australification' of US gambling, the blending of psychology and mathematics, and the rising trend of three-pot fillers.

As the Tribal gaming sector congregates once more in the Golden State, is it too cliché of me to suggest we are heading for a golden era of Tribal gaming? With the industry set to meet at the Indian Gaming Association t...

10-11-From-the-top
From The Top: Will youth be served by Sports Betting?
Two recent interviews in our Huddle podcast revealed to Las Vegas correspondent Brian Joseph just how young sports betting entrepreneurs are becoming.
12-GA-MAR-10-year-v2
The Global Gaming Awards: Rewarding Excellence
The 10th edition of the Global Gaming Awards took place in Las Vegas last year. Gaming America looks back... and ahead to this year's.
16-18-IGA-Preview
Preview: Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
Gaming America looks ahead to the 2024 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention and what attendees can expect when they arrive at the Anaheim Convention Centre.
20-22-GA-Mar-888-Holding-article
888 and the US Market: A cautionary tale
Gaming America explores the risk of resting on your laurels and the challenge of remaining relevant in a rapidly expanding market.