Ari Emanuel's Mari Group, an events company he founded in 2025, is reportedly in advanced discussions to purchase ATG Entertainment, a major West End and Broadway theater operator. The potential deal is valued at £4.5 billion, equivalent to approximately $5.94 billion. Providence, ATG's private equity owner, has been in exclusive talks with Mari Group, and a deal could be finalized within the next month.
ATG Entertainment, previously known as Ambassador Theatre Group, controls around 70 venues across the UK, US, and Europe. This includes prominent West End properties like the Lyceum (home to The Lion King) and the Savoy Theatre, which is currently staging Paddington the Musical. On Broadway, ATG owns the Lyric Theatre, hosting Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The acquisition would significantly expand Emanuel's influence in premier live entertainment markets globally.
The discussions follow a period of recovery for ATG after pandemic-related closures. The company reported an operating profit of £160.9 million in the year ending March 2025, with revenues rising nearly 5% to £924 million and adjusted EBITDA increasing by 15.7% to £208 million. Providence had considered selling ATG in 2020 but postponed plans due to the pandemic. Mari Group, which was launched with $2 billion in equity from investors like Apollo and RedBird Capital Partners, has already invested in assets such as the Frieze art fair, London's Winter Wonderland, and the Miami Open tennis tournament.
