Universal Orlando co-owner, Blackstone, the world’s 5th largest private equity firm, has offered to sell its 50 percent interest in the theme park to the other co-owner, NBCUniversal, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Blackstone, which bought the 50 percent interest in the theme park in 2000, made the offer at a time when Universal has experienced increasing revenues and attendance, largely as a result of a new attraction, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter which opened in June last year.
According to reports, Universal Orlando revenues in 2010 jumped by 41 percent to $1.13 billion and attendance increased 20 percent to 11.2 million.
NBCUniversal has until June 12 to accept or reject the offer.
A spokeswoman for Universal said, “We are studying the proposal and considering our options.”
Last year, Blackstone purchased Busch Entertainment Corp., which operates 10 entertainment parks in the U.S., for $2.7 billion.
