World famous Harlem Globetrotters sold to theme park company

Norcross, Georgia-based Herschend, which operates 26 theme parks and aquariums across the nation, including most notably Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme parks, acquired the team from private equity firm Shamrock Capital Advisors.

Reuters exclusively reported in June that the Globetrotters were up for sale and could fetch between $50 million (30 million pounds) and $100 million in a deal.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Piper Jaffray advised the Globetrotters on the sale process.

Founded in 1926, the Globetrotters have played more than 25,000 games around the world, with past legends including Wilt Chamberlain and Meadowlark Lemon.

Shamrock, initially founded as the family investment company of Roy Disney, had owned 80 percent of the Globetrotters.

(Reporting by Olivia Oran. Editing by Andre Grenon)