POWER RANGERS: Hasbro Has Officially Completed Its Acquisition Of The Franchise

After being agreed upon in early May, Hasbro, Inc. announced today that it has officially completed its blockbuster acquisition of the Power Rangers franchise and other entertainment assets from Saban Properties for a grand total of $522 million. They now become the franchise's third owner since the series' inception in 1993, following Haim Saban (1993-2002; 2010-2018) and The Walt Disney Company (2002-2010).

Following the announcement, Hasbro chairman and CEO Brian Goldner released a statement to express his excitement and optimism for the future of the franchise, “Power Rangers will benefit from execution across Hasbro’s Brand Blueprint and distribution through our omni-channel retail relationships globally. Informed by engaging, multi-screen entertainment, a robust and innovative product line and consumer products opportunities all built on the brand’s strong heritage of teamwork and inclusivity, we see a tremendous future for Power Rangers as part of Hasbro’s brand portfolio.”

The first Hasbro-produced Power Rangers products will become available in the spring of 2019 to coincide with the debut of Power Rangers: Beast Morphers, the twenty-sixth season of the long-running series. Further details remain under wraps for now, but fans will likely get a sneak peek at what's to come sometime during the latter half of this current calendar year.

PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 12, 2018-- Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) today announced it has closed the previously announced acquisition of Saban Properties’ Power Rangers and other Entertainment Assets. The transaction was funded through a combination of cash and stock valued at $522 million.

“Power Rangers will benefit from execution across Hasbro’s Brand Blueprint and distribution through our omni-channel retail relationships globally,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Informed by engaging, multi-screen entertainment, a robust and innovative product line and consumer products opportunities all built on the brand’s strong heritage of teamwork and inclusivity, we see a tremendous future for Power Rangers as part of Hasbro’s brand portfolio.”

Hasbro previously paid Saban Brands $22.25 million pursuant to the Power Rangers master toy license agreement, announced by the parties in February of 2018, that was scheduled to begin in 2019. Those amounts were credited against the purchase price. Upon closing, Hasbro paid $131.23 million in cash (including a $1.48 million working capital purchase price adjustment) and $25 million was placed into an escrow account. An additional $75 million will be paid on January 3, 2019. These payments are being funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet. In addition, the Company issued 3,074,190 shares of Hasbro common stock to Saban Properties, valued at $270 million.

The transaction, including intangible amortization expense, is not expected to have a material impact on Hasbro’s 2018 results of operations.

Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. Today, Power Rangers is one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes produced to date. The TV series, currently in its 25th season with Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel, and feature films, including 2017’s movie with Lionsgate, follows the adventures of a group of ordinary teens who morph into superheroes and save the world from evil. Saban’s Power Rangers currently airs in 150 markets around the world and is translated into numerous languages.

The first set of Power Rangers products from Hasbro will be available in spring 2019.

As part of the transaction, Hasbro acquired Saban Properties’ interests in several additional entertainment assets, including My Pet Monster, Popples, Julius Jr., Luna Petunia, Treehouse Detectives and others.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal advisor to Hasbro in the transaction. Goldman Sachs served as financial advisor and Paul Hastings LLP served as legal advisor to Saban Properties in the transaction.