Kirk
Kerkorian, the founder and largest shareholder of MGM Resorts International,
will step down from the company’s board of directors and take up the position
of senior advisor and first director emeritus.
As
director emeritus, Kerkorian will serve as a senior advisor to both MGM Resorts
management and its board, and will have a standing invitation to attend any
meeting of the board or its executive committee. He will not, however, retain
voting rights on board matters.
Kerkorian,
who owns a 27 percent stake in MGM Resorts through his Tracinda Corp. holding
company, will continue to be represented on the MGM board through Tracinda
executives and MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren.
“Throughout
the years, I have relied on Kirk far beyond his role as our largest
shareholder," said Murren in a prepared statement. “He has always been
available to discuss any detail or issue, and I look forward to continuing to
receive the benefit of his counsel for many years to come.”
Kerkorian,
93, toldBloombergthat board meetings
had become too lengthy and that he no longer liked to travel to them from his
home in California. He added that he preferred the new position since it would
allow him a more strategic and advisory role with MGM Resorts; and that he
would continue to talk to Murren “at least three to four times a week.”
Meanwhile in other MGM International news, the
company has gained a controlling stake in the MGM China casino resort it is
attempting to co-develop along with Pansy Ho in the Cotai Strip area of Macau.
MGM will gain control through an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange which will give it a 51 percent stake in the project as opposed to a
29 percent share for Ho. Previously, Ho and MGM Resorts had been equal partners
in the project.
MGM Resorts: Kerkorian to step down, Macau casino deal announced
April 15, 2011
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