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
New Non-Sport Trading Card Set
November 21, 2024
Upper Deck will release 2024 Marvel Renditions Spider-Man , a new non-sport trading card set.
'Town & Village Upper Levels' and 'Dungeon Upper Levels'
November 21, 2024
WizKids unveiled Town & Village Upper Levels and Dungeon Upper Levels , two new WarLock Tiles expansions, which will hit retail.
MORE NEWS
Which Owns Majority of Yen Press, Plus News Site, Tabletop Game Publisher, More
November 21, 2024
Manga and light novel publisher Kadokawa has a majority share of Yen Press, plus a major English-language news site, a tabletop game publisher, and other assets.
Following 'Conan' Crossover
November 20, 2024
The miniseries will launch shortly after Solomon Kane crosses over with another Robert E. Howard character, Conan the Barbarian.