Despite their incredible winning streak, the Harlem Globetrotters have been sold.
Herschend Family Entertainment, the largest family-owned operator of theme parks in the United States, has acquired Harlem Globetrotters International, the corporate shell for the world-famous basketball team, from Shamrock Capital Advisors and its minority owners.
Shamrock, a private equity firm co-founded in 1978 by Roy Disney, acquired an 80 percent stake in the team in 2005. Mannie Jackson and other members of the company’s management also held stakes.
The Globetrotters were founded in 1926, and over the past 88 years have played on every continent save Antarctica. Legendary alums include Wilt Chamberlain, Connie Hawkins and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton.