Industry News

Live Nation targets SMG acquisition – report

Live Nation is reportedly putting itself forward as one of the firms bidding on the largest facility management firm in North America, SMG.

If the Live Nation bid was to be accepted, it would add 200 facilities to the company’s existing portfolio of approximately 40 arenas. Whether federal regulators would accept the reported bid is currently unknown.

Investment bank Harris Williams & Co is dealing with the bidding process, according to the Baltimore Business Journal. The closing date for bids was yesterday (Tuesday).

SMG, a world leader in venue management, marketing and development, operates some of the world’s most celebrated arenas, working alongside partners such as AEG Facilities, Spectra and Oak View Group. Its venues include the US Bank Stadium, NRG Stadium, Soldier Field and Manchester Arena.

Live Nation has previously brokered several ticketing and management deals with SMG, including co-managing Baltimore’s Pier Six Pavilion.

SMG was founded in 1977 with the management of its first facility, the Louisiana Superdome.

Image: Greg Gjerdingen