Seminole Tribe Finalizes Hard Rock International Deal

By Chris Jenkins

HOLLYWOOD — The talk was over and the deal was done on March 5. After making history in what is the largest purchase ever by a Native American Tribe of an international corporation, the Seminole Tribe of Florida crossed all the T’s and dotted the I’s, making the purchase of Hard Rock International Inc. a reality.

The Council Oak tree played host to the official signings as the Tribal Council, Tribal citizens and employees joined in the celebration and mark of a new direction. This blockbuster deal comes on the heels of the overwhelming success of the Tribe’s ownership of Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa.

Local media provided coverage for a full slate of speakers and performances including: Comanche flutist Sonny Nevaquaya, Seminole Gaming Chief Executive Officer James Allen and the Seminole Color Guard’s presentation.

The Hollywood preschool 3- and 4-year-olds recited the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Miccosukee. Tribal citizen Wonder Johns offered blessings and prayers, and Tribal citizen Moses “Big Shot” Jumper Jr. recited a poem. Chairman Mitchell Cypress and other members of the Tribal Council, Miss Florida Seminole Princess Brittany Yescas and former Hard Rock President and CEO Hamish Dodd were all also on hand.

Dodds presented the Tribal Council with a custom autographed guitar from country music legend Hank Williams Sr.

Cypress reflected on the perseverance, faith and leadership of the Tribe on its new path.

“I thank the Seminoles that are still here,” he said. “I remember back in the day when there was a $25 dividend and Brighton and Big Cypress probably understand how hard it was when we traveled to get here on [U.S. Highway] 27 at Stirling Road, where it once was a two-way road.

“I think people at my age have to remember the times that we went through and the things that have happened, and without God’s grace nothing would happen. You’ve got to have that in everything that you do, in order to get things done. This is what has happened and without that strength, knowledge and power that he gives us, this would have never happened.

“The Seminole Tribe has paved the way for other Native Americans to get into other big business industries, so were always a leader.”

Gaming CEO James Allen then spoke about the daring move and the hard work involved.

“A lot of people don’t understand what actually was accomplished here in the last six months, and I think it is a great tribute to Mitchell and the rest of the Tribal Council to really have the vision to look forward, because this was actually a very difficult transaction,” he explained. “This gives the Tribe the ability to obviously move forward not just in casinos [as the chairman said], but in all different types of businesses.”

Hollywood Tribal Council Representative Max B. Osceola Jr. echoed Allen’s thoughts.

“Today we’re here celebrating because it’s a great day, not just for Seminoles, but for other Native Tribes, and now the mainstream business world knows that you can do business with Native Tribes and make a profit,” Osceola said.

Dodds described the purchase in its significance and impact on a grand scale.

“This is a very historic moment, it’s a historic moment for you the Tribe, but it’s also a historic moment for U.S. commerce in general,” he explained. “The Hard Rock brand has great American roots, and now the Hard Rock brand is moving from European ownership to American ownership, but importantly it’s moving to an American ownership with even deeper roots, the deepest roots of American ownership you can think of, which is the Seminole Tribe.”

The purchase of the 35-year-old themed restaurant chain came with more than 50 other financial institutions involved in the bidding war. A breakdown composed of a bond offering and equity contribution placed the deal at around $965 million in all.

There are 125 signature Hard Rock Cafés in 46 countries along with nine hotels, four casinos, and the world’s largest collection of authentic one-of-a kind music memorabilia. The original is located in London – it was not included in the purchase – and was the idea of Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett. The memorabilia collection began with the donation of a custom guitar from rock legend Eric Clapton and numbers around 70,000 items.