MGM Resorts lands in Las Vegas amid ongoing review of $18 billion takeover bid

On June 15, MGM Resorts' Embraer Legacy 500 (tail N783MM) departed Vashon Municipal Airport near Seattle and arrived at Harry Reid International in Las Vegas just after midnight on June 16. The two-hour flight from a quiet Washington island to the Strip came as the casino giant's board continues to evaluate an $18 billion acquisition proposal from People Inc., the media holding company controlled by Barry Diller.

People Inc., which already owns 26.1% of MGM Resorts, submitted a non-binding cash offer of $48.30 per share on June 1, according to a company release cited by Skift. The proposal values MGM at roughly $18 billion and has sent shares trading above the offer price, suggesting investors expect a higher bid. MGM's board, advised by financial and legal counsel, has yet to respond formally, and the deal's funding structure — particularly the use of debt — remains a point of uncertainty, per CreditSights.

The flight from the Pacific Northwest fits a pattern of MGM shuttling principals between remote locations and its Las Vegas base. Recent trips include a June 11 hop from Dallas-Fort Worth and a June 10-11 journey to and from the Cayman Islands, likely ferrying high-rollers or board members. As the Diller bid hangs in the balance, the movement of company aircraft hints at active behind-the-scenes deliberations.