AEG-SMG Merger Creates Global Facilities Giant

The merger of Anschutz Entertainment’s AEG Facilities division with SMG will produce a new behemoth managing an estimated an estimated 310 venues around the world, including The O2 in London and Soldier’s Field in Chicago.

AEG Facilities and Canadian private equity firm Onex, which is SMG’s parent company, will each own 50% of new company ASM Global upon completion of the merger. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bob Newman, President of AEG Facilities president, will be the first CEO of ASM Global, based in Los Angeles (home of AEG).

Most the new company’s venues will come from SMG’s portfolio of over 240 buildings, including Soldier Field, the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

The company also manages the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the Colorado Convention Center in Denver and the the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center in California.

Major sports venues managed by AEG Facilities include the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Target Center in Minneapolis and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

AEG-managed convention venues include the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan and the Los Angeles Convention Center.