Eurazeo, the private equity firm that owns Asmodee Group, is exploring a sale of Asmodee at a price that could reach over €1.5 billion ($1.79 billion), Reuters reports. Asmodee Group owns Asmodee North America and its subsidiaries, as well as numerous game studios and distribution businesses in Europe. Reuters sourced the report from "people familiar with the matter." Eurazeo and Asmodee did not comment for the article.
Asmodee generated €100M (around $119 million) in EBITDA per year (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), according to the report, which would make the "could reach" price a fairly rich valuation for a privately held company.
Eurazeo acquired 83% of Asmodee in 2013 in a deal that valued the company at €143 million (see "Asmodee Acquires Days of Wonder"), and set the company on an acquisition tear that has rolled up numerous distributors, game publishers, and game rights across two continents. Now it’s apparently time to cash out, with investment bankers reportedly hired to run the process.
The big question for the trade is whether Asmodee is acquired by another financial investor (which could also take the company public at some point), or a strategic acquirer that would merge Asmodee into another toy or game company. Mattel and Lego are both looking for growth, and Hasbro, while healthier than either of the other two, could also see the Asmodee properties as a good fit for its gaming segment (which includes Wizards of the Coast).

At a Valuation of $1.79 Billion
Posted by Milton Griepp on May 10, 2018 @ 5:33 pm CT

MORE GAMES
To Release English-language Versions of Their New Games; Announces Two New Titles
September 26, 2023
Captstone Games has inked a deal with Cranio Creations to release English-language versions of Cranio Creations' newest games.
More DTC Drop Sets Headed to Market Soon
September 26, 2023
Wizards of the Coast announced Secret Lair Spookydrop, a new round of Secret Lair sets, which will be headed to DTC preorder.
MORE NEWS
Both New Titles and Facsimiles of Old Ones
September 26, 2023
In the coming year, Marvel plans to publish new comics in the Giant-Size format as well as facsimile editions of classics.
Inklore to Bring Webtoons to Print, Starting with BL Romance
September 26, 2023
The PRH imprint Inklore will publish webtoons from the Tappytoon platform, starting with a boys-love romance.