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Barry Diller Withdraws $18 Billion Bid for MGM Resorts

The withdrawal leaves MGM poised to continue as an independent company with People Incorporated keeping about a 27% stake that it says it may use to pursue other strategic options.

Overview

  • People Incorporated formally withdrew its proposal to buy the remaining public shares of MGM Resorts on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, ending several months of negotiations with a board-appointed special committee.
  • MGM’s board issued a statement reaffirming that the company will pursue its standalone strategy and highlighted its Las Vegas properties, BetMGM momentum, MGM China and the MGM Osaka development as value drivers.
  • People Incorporated said it still holds 66.8 million MGM shares, roughly a 27% stake, and that it remains open to considering a range of strategic alternatives involving the company.
  • The June offer had valued MGM at about $18 billion at $48.30 per share, and news of the withdrawal sent MGM’s stock down about 8% in extended trading as investor expectations reset.
  • Diller had pitched the deal as a way to strengthen MGM’s digital business, notably BetMGM, and to own “real-world” assets seen as resistant to AI-driven disruption, a stance that leaves open the possibility of future pressure or deals from the large minority holder.