P.M. BRIEFING : Busch May Buy 6 HBJ Theme Parks
ORLANDO, Fla. — Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. has emerged as the most likely buyer of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Inc.’s theme parks as talks intensified between the two companies this week, it was reported today.
HBJ has been negotiating with the giant brewing company to accept HBJ’s chief executive officer, Ralph D. Caulo, to run the parks, but Anheuser-Busch wants to install its own chief executive, a source close to the deal told the Orlando Sentinel.
On June 20, HBJ said it would sell its six theme parks, including Sea Worlds in Orlando, Fla.; San Diego; San Antonio, and Aurora, Ohio; Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fla., and Boardwalk and Baseball near Haines City, Fla. They have been valued at from $1.2 billion to $2 billion.
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