ARC ANNOUNCE ACQUISITION OF NEWCASTLE AND SUNDERLAND GREYHOUND STADIUMS FROM WILLIAM HILL PLC
Today, Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) announces it is set to acquire Newcastle and Sunderland Greyhound Stadiums from William Hill PLC.
ARC have also joined Greyhound Media Group (“GMG”), a group that will now represent the media rights of twelve greyhound tracks. With the addition of Newcastle and Sunderland, GMG now represents close to 70% of the greyhound fixtures shown in Licenced Betting Offices (“LBOs’’), through the Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service (‘BAGS’).
ARC will take over the operational running of both stadiums and responsibility for the 160 employees across the two sites. The stadiums host 520 greyhound racing fixtures a year, of which, 384 are part of the BAGS schedule.
Martin Cruddace, Chief Executive of ARC said: “We are really delighted to have moved at pace and acquire the tracks and join our new partners at GMG as part of a long-term deal. We very much look forward to working with the great teams at both stadiums and developing our relationship with the greyhound industry.”
Brent Dolan, Director of Operations at GMG said: “We are very pleased to welcome ARC and are delighted that they see the merit of working closely together in producing what we aim to be the best greyhound racing available anywhere in the world. We look forward to working with BAGS to continue to produce a cost effective and value product for the UK LBO market and to export GMG racing worldwide.”
