DigitalBridge

{{Infobox company

| name = DigitalBridge Group, Inc.

| logo = DigitalBridge-Logo.jpeg

| former_name = Colony Capital (1991–2021)

| type = Public

| traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|DBRG}} (Class A)|Russell 2000 component}}

| founder = Tom Barrack

| industry = Investment
Digital infrastructure

| key_people = {{ubl|Marc Ganzi (CEO)|Ben Jenkins (President & CIO)}}

| products = Towers, Data centers, Small cells, Fiber, Edge infrastructure, Investment management, Digital operating

| aum = $84 billion (January 2024)

| num_employees =

| num_locations =

| founded = {{Start date and age|1991}}

| hq_location = Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.

| website = {{url|digitalbridge.com}}

}}

DigitalBridge Group, Inc. is a global digital infrastructure investment firm. The company owns, invests in and operates businesses such as cell towers, data centers, fiber, small cells, and edge infrastructure. Headquartered in Boca Raton, DigitalBridge has offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Singapore.

In 2010, DigitalBridge, then still Colony Capital, was reported to manage about $30 billion in investments.[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8f5c62fe-2b1a-11df-93d8-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1 "Private equity firm snaps up chance to help Leibovitz put house in order"] by Henny Sender, Financial Times, March 9, 2010 02:00, Retrieved 2010-03-09.[http://www.perenews.com/resources/PERE%2030/PERE%2030%202011.pdf Perenews.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626153542/http://www.perenews.com/resources/PERE%2030/PERE%2030%202011.pdf |date=2011-06-26 }}

History

=Early investments=

Colony purchased Raffles International on July 18, 2005. This included the 41 hotels and resorts operated under the Raffles Hotel and Swissotel brand names. On January 30, 2006, it acquired Fairmont Hotels and Resorts of Toronto, Ontario with Kingdom Hotels International as a joint partner for US$3.24 billion.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}} On April 10, 2006, it acquired French professional football team Paris Saint-Germain.{{Cite web |date=11 April 2006 |title=Paris Saint-Germain changes hands |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4898746.stm |access-date=16 October 2017 |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News}}

On February 25, 2007, it signed a definitive agreement to take Station Casinos private in a 75%/25% split with members of the founding Fertitta family for US$5.5 billion, or US$90/share. The subsequent economic downturn caused Station Casinos to declare bankruptcy in 2009, and when it emerged in 2011 Colony Capital owned a much smaller portion after providing more cash.{{Cite news |date=August 7, 2010 |title=Station Casino Family to Remain in Control |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703309704575413720661029334}}{{Cite web |last=Weinberger |first=Evan |title=Lenders, Colony Capital To Acquire Station Casinos - Law360 |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/157714/lenders-colony-capital-to-acquire-station-casinos |access-date=2019-04-25 |website=www.law360.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Jinks |first1=Beth |last2=Church |first2=Steven |date=June 17, 2011 |title=Station Casinos Exits Bankruptcy After Almost Two Years in Chapter 11 |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-17/station-casinos-exits-bankruptcy-after-almost-two-years-in-chapter-11.html}} Founder, Chairman, and CEO Thomas Barrack said it "could have been the worst investment ever" in terms of timing.[http://www.perenews.com/Article.aspx?article=53984&hashID=BCE7FBF9B0F16033DCB062EC644D0CF844EF4706 Perenews.com]

On November 11, 2008, Michael Jackson transferred the title of his 2,700 acre estate Neverland Ranch to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC, a joint venture between Jackson (represented by attorney, L. Londell McMillan) and an affiliate of Colony Capital.[http://www.taletela.com/news/775/michael-jacksons-neverland-ranch-is-sold Taletela.com, Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch is sold] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727103118/http://www.taletela.com/news/775/michael-jacksons-neverland-ranch-is-sold |date=July 27, 2009 }}{{Cite web |title=Neverland May Be Jacko's Ticket to Vegas |url=https://www.tmz.com/2008/11/12/neverland-may-be-jackos-ticket-to-vegas/ |access-date=2019-04-25 |website=TMZ |language=en}}[http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h88TcEC8zCjFsjTO6G5UKwOV0bOQ Ukpress.google.com, Jacko gives up Neverland ranch deed] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215051134/http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h88TcEC8zCjFsjTO6G5UKwOV0bOQ |date=December 15, 2008 }}[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081113/ap_en_ot/michael_jackson News.yahoo.com, Michael Jackson gives Neverland to corporation] It is still unclear whether Colony Capital has a part in the property.[http://www.sbcvote.com/opis/Browse.aspx Sbcvote.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611090014/http://www.sbcvote.com/opis/Browse.aspx |date=2016-06-11 }} Jackson earned a total of US$35 million when he agreed to the joint venture between himself and Colony Capital.{{Cite web |title=Entertainment News, Celebrity News, Celebrity Gossip {{!}} E! News |url=https://www.eonline.com/ |access-date=2019-04-25 |website=E! Online |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2008-11-13 |title=Neverland peters out for pop's Peter Pan |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/neverland-peters-out-for-pops-peter-pan-20081113-gdt2qq.html |access-date=2019-04-25 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

In March 2010, Colony arranged a financing and marketing package for Annie Leibovitz. The New York celebrity photographer had been in financial difficulty and in danger of losing to her previous lender, ArtCapital, the rights to her photographs and negatives and her three Greenwich Village townhouses. ArtCapital's credit was for $24 million. In December 2010, Colony purchased Miramax from Disney with Qatar Investment Authority, Tutor-Saliba Corporation and The Weinstein Company as part of a joint venture called Filmyard Holdings for $663 million.{{Cite news |last=Ben Fritz |date=December 6, 2010 |title=The Business Behind the Show |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/12/miramax-purchase-puts-colony-capital-in-hollywood-spotlight.html}}{{Cite news |last=Claudia Eller |date=December 3, 2010 |title=The Business Behind the Show |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/12/ron-tutor-miramax-deal.html}}

In January 2017, Colony NorthStar, Inc. (NYSE: CLNS) was formed through a tri-party merger between Colony Capital, Inc. (NYSE:CLNY), NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc. (NYSE:NSAM) and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (NYSE:NRF).{{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1679688/000167968817000017/clns1231201610-k.htm|title=Document}}

In September 2017, Colony NorthStar agreed to sell its Townsend Group unit to Aon for $475 million.{{Cite news |last=Roumeliotis |first=Greg |title=Aon to buy real estate investment firm Townsend from Colony NorthStar |work=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |issue=1 Sept 2017 |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/us-townsend-m-a-aon-plc/aon-to-buy-real-estate-investment-firm-townsend-from-colony-northstar-idINKCN1BC5WD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902005646/https://in.reuters.com/article/us-townsend-m-a-aon-plc/aon-to-buy-real-estate-investment-firm-townsend-from-colony-northstar-idINKCN1BC5WD |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 2, 2017 |access-date=5 September 2017}}

In October 2017, Colony entered discussions to purchase The Weinstein Company, a movie and TV production studio that sustained damage after its co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, was accused of multiple counts of sexual harassment over three decades.{{Cite news |last=Roumeliotis |first=Greg |title=Colony Capital in talks to buy Weinstein Co |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/people-harvey-weinstein/colony-capital-in-talks-to-buy-weinstein-co-idINKBN1CL2E6 |access-date=16 October 2017 |website=reuters.com |date=16 October 2017 |agency=Reuters |archive-date=16 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016203728/https://in.reuters.com/article/people-harvey-weinstein/colony-capital-in-talks-to-buy-weinstein-co-idINKBN1CL2E6 |url-status=dead }} In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal, in late October 2017, it was reported that Colony Capital LLC had proved hesitant to purchase Weinstein Co. after a week of exclusive negotiations. Fortress Investment Group was also in talks to provide a loan to Weinstein Co.{{Cite news |last=Fritz |first=Ben |date=October 25, 2017 |title=Colony Capital's Talks to Acquire Weinstein Co. Hit Snag |work=The Wall Street Journal |location=New York City, United States |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/colony-capitals-talks-to-acquire-weinstein-co-hit-snag-1508978325 |access-date=October 26, 2017}}

In June 2018, The New York Times reported that Colony North Star had raised more than $7 billion in investments since Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election.{{Cite news |title=Who Is Behind Trump's Links to Arab Princes? A Billionaire Friend |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/world/middleeast/trump-tom-barrack-saudi.html |access-date=2018-06-13}} 24 percent of the money came from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

=Recent investments=

On December 20, 2021, DigitalBridge sold the bulk of its Other Equity & Debt of real estate assets to Fortress Investment Group, LLC. The total net value realized from the sale was $506.8 million, including $443.4 million received at closing, $31.2 million of net cash for asset monetizations between the sale and close, and $32.2 million of future payments.{{cite web |title=Fortress Announces Completed Acquisitions of DigitalBridge and BrightSpire Capital Assets for Total Consideration of Nearly $730 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2021-12-22/fortress-announces-completed-acquisitions-of-digitalbridge-and-brightspire-capital-assets-for-total-consideration-of-nearly-730 |website=Bloomberg |access-date=3 July 2023}}

DigitalBridge closed its second flagship fund with $8.3 billion in commitments in early 2022.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge surpasses its fund target by over $2.3 billion in commitments |url=https://wirelessestimator.com/articles/2022/digitalbridge-surpasses-its-fund-target-by-over-2-3-billion-in-commitments/ |website=Wireless Estimates |access-date=10 August 2023}}

In April 2022, DigitalBridge bought out Wafra's stake in its investment management subsidiary for $800 million and switched from REIT to traditional C-Corp. {{Cite web |date=20 April 2022 |title=DigitalBridge buys out Wafra’s stake in its investment management subsidiary for $800 million |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/digitalbridge-buys-out-wafras-stake-in-its-investment-management-subsidiary-for-800-million/ |website=datacenterdynamics.com |publisher=Data Center Dynamics}} DigitalBridge announced and initiated several acquisitions during 2022 including AMP Capital's global infrastructure equity investment management business for $328 million and Switch, Inc., a Las Vegas-based data center company, for $11 billion.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge & IFM complete Switch Inc acquisition |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/digitalbridge-ifm-complete-switch-inc-acquisition/ |website=Data Center Dynamics |access-date=21 June 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Swinhoe |first=Dan |title=DigitalBridge acquires infrastructure equity business from AMP subsidiary, becomes investment manager for Expedient |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/digitalbridge-acquires-infrastructure-equity-business-from-amp-subsidiary-becomes-investment-manager-for-expedient/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=www.datacenterdynamics.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wack |first=Chris |date=2022-05-11 |title=DigitalBridge, IFM Buying Data Center Company Switch for $11 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/switch-being-bought-by-digitalbridge-ifm-investors-for-34-25-a-share-11652271346 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}} The firm

sold 27 percent of its stake in DataBank to Swiss Life and EDF Invest for $1.2 billion. DigitalBridge said it would own 15.5 percent of DataBank after the sale.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=DigitalBridge to sell stake in data center platform DataBank for $1.2 bln |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-06-16/digitalbridge-announces-recapitalization-of-databank |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=www.bloomberg.com}}

In March 2022, DigitalBridge led a $60 million Series C funding round in Celona, an enterprise IT infrastructure company.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge Backs Celona in $60m Series C Round from Ventures Strategy |url=https://dgtlinfra.com/digitalbridge-celona-series-c-ventures/ |website=Dgtl Infra |access-date=10 August 2023}} In April, DigitalBridge led a $385 million funding round for UK fiber startup Netomnia.{{cite web |title=U.K. Fiber Startup Netomnia Raises $385 Million to Battle BT |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-07/u-k-fiber-startup-netomnia-raises-385-million-to-battle-bt#xj4y7vzkg |website=Bloomberg |access-date=10 August 2023}} That June, DigitalBridge acquired Telenet's 3,300 telecommunication towers in Belgium, valued at 745 million euros.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge Buys Telenet’s 3.3k Towers in Belgium at €745m Valuation |url=https://dgtlinfra.com/digitalbridge-telenet-towers-belgium/ |website=Dgt Linfra |access-date=20 July 2023}}

In August 2022, DigitalBridge and Columbia Capital formed Xenith Infrastructure Group, a fiber platform serving Asia-Pacific markets.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge and Columbia Capital Launch Xenith IG Fiber Platform in Asia-Pacific |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-08-03/digitalbridge-and-columbia-capital-launch-xenith-ig-fiber-platform-in-asia-pacific |website=Bloomberg |access-date=3 July 2023}} In 2023, DigitalBridge purchased 51% of Deutsche Telekom's tower business.{{cite web |title=Deutsche Telekom finalizes majority sale of GD Towers to Brookfield and DigitalBridge |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/deutsche-telekom-finalizes-majority-sale-of-gd-towers-to-brookfield-and-digitalbridge/ |website=Data Center Dynamics |access-date=20 July 2023}}

In February 2023, DigitalBridge completed the acquisition of AMP Capital's global infrastructure equity investment management business.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge Completes Acquisition of AMP Capital’s Global Infrastructure Equity Investment Management Business |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/digitalbridge-completes-acquisition-amp-capital-141100093.html |website=Yahoo Finance |access-date=27 November 2023}}

In July 2023, Aware Super invested $500m into DigitalBridge owned data center firm Switch Inc.{{cite web |title=Aware Super invests $500m in US-based data centre platform via DigitalBridge|url=https://realassets.ipe.com/news/aware-super-invests-500m-in-us-based-data-centre-platform-via-digitalbridge/10067842.article |website=IPE Real Assets |access-date=27 November 2023}}{{cite web |title=Aware Super invests $500 million into Switch Inc. |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/aware-super-invests-500-million-into-switch-inc/ |website=Data Center Dynamics |access-date=27 November 2023}}

In September 2023, DigitalBridge completed the recapitalization of Databank, receiving $219 million in additional commitments in the final closing, totaling recapitalization commitments at $2.2 billion.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge Completes DataBank Recapitalization |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/digitalbridge-completes-databank-recapitalization-130000224.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJwZhSOy3algD9IZTSHkMS-Ni84pO93A_8nUF2wMStPbuBPwZoUSkMUD9ybdbvaA4ofxa3KSCO4emSAqs7xM3SD8wkEr9YVWGQZ27XXBmakgvqDVFDJZYTUt9BFocrWg8lFcqNnRV3Dxy-VPUa3kUpxbguMjvrCtYmNxzZKaB5I- |website=Yahoo Finance |access-date=27 November 2023}}

In November of the same year, DigitalBridge sold 40% of Landmark Dividends to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge to sell 40% of Landmark Dividend to ADIA |url=https://realassets.ipe.com/news/digitalbridge-to-sell-40-of-landmark-dividend-to-adia/10069830.article |website=IPE Real Assets |access-date=27 November 2023}} That month AustralianSuper invested $1.5 billion into Vantage Data Centers.{{cite web |title=AustralianSuper invests €1.5 billion in Vantage Data Centers EMEA |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/australiansuper-invests-15-billion-in-vantage-data-centers-emea/ |website=Data Center Dynamics |access-date=16 January 2024}}

Also in November 2023, DigitalBridge closed its digital infrastructure credit fund, DigitalBridge Credit, having raised $1.1 billion.{{cite web |title=Abu Dhabi Investment Authority acquires 40% stake in DigitalBridge’s Landmark Dividend |url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/abu-dhabi-investment-authority-acquires-40-stake-in-digitalbridges-landmark-dividend/ |website=Data Center Dynamics |access-date=16 January 2024}}{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge’s inaugural digital infrastructure credit strategy secures $1.1bn |url=https://realassets.ipe.com/news/digitalbridges-inaugural-digital-infrastructure-credit-strategy-secures-11bn/10070297.article |website=IPE Real Assets |access-date=16 January 2024}}

In December 2023, Surf Internet secured $200 million from DigitalBridge to support continued network expansion across the Great Lakes Region.{{cite web |title=Surf Internet Secures Upsized $200 million Debt Facility to Support Continued Network Expansion Across the Great Lakes Region |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/surf-internet-secures-upsized-200-140700455.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACkwWOpM4ii-wdQ4rRGaVmnrGbfRdI3CQzqx8wBbRHCm0gwlw0yFYPqH7QiiRLlbmVPOrcOg415mQOogGcGMBI8lDu591e-spj1qGGBwIN1SvutZG1MAxVmV-fgjwHU5gIKwFl67nF12WDt53pRAgpiwDWkyJH2DHOZmjCwSnu_y |website=Yahoo Finance |access-date=13 March 2024}} In January 2024, Intel announced it was forming a new independent company around its artificial intelligence software with the backing of DigitalBridge.{{cite web |title=Intel spins out AI software firm with backing from DigitalBridge |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/intel-spins-out-ai-software-firm-with-backing-digitalbridge-2024-01-03/ |website=Reuters |access-date=13 March 2024}} Also in January, DigitalBridge purchased a stake in Vantage Data Centers.{{cite web |title=New Data-Center Property Investment Signals AI Boom |url=https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/new-data-center-property-investment-signals-ai-boom-e4f436bd |website=WSJ |access-date=13 March 2024}}

On January 3, 2024, DigitalBridge and Intel jointly launched Articul8, a company providing enterprise generative AI solutions. The venture aims to provide advanced AI tools to improve efficiency and innovation in enterprise operations.{{cite web |title=Intel spins out AI software firm with backing from DigitalBridge |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/intel-spins-out-ai-software-firm-with-backing-digitalbridge-2024-01-03/ |website=Reuters |access-date=7 April 2025}}

On June 13, 2024, Vantage Data Centers completed a $9.2 billion equity investment round led by DigitalBridge and Silver Lake.{{cite web |title=Vantage Data Centers Announces $9.2 Billion Equity Investment Round Led by DigitalBridge and Silver Lake |url=https://www.stblaw.com/about-us/news/view/2024/01/09/vantage-data-centers-announces-$6.4-billion-equity-investment-round-led-by-digitalbridge-and-silver-lake |website=stblaw |access-date=22 April 2025}}

On September 30, 2024, Verizon and Vertical Bridge reached a $3.3 billion agreement involving the sale and leaseback of telecom tower assets. This transaction highlights the ongoing consolidation in the digital infrastructure sector.{{cite web |title=Verizon in $3.3 bln mobile tower deal with infrastructure firm Vertical Bridge |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/verizon-nears-deal-sell-towers-vertical-bridge-bloomberg-news-reports-2024-09-30/ |website=Reuters |access-date=7 April 2025}}

On October 15, 2024, DataBank, a portfolio company of DigitalBridge, announced a $2.0 billion equity raise. The round was led by a $1.5 billion investment from AustralianSuper.{{cite web |title=AI Boom Sparks $2 Billion Bet on DataBank Led by Australian Pension Fund |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-15/ai-boom-sparks-2-billion-data-center-bet-led-by-australiansuper |website=Bloomberg |access-date=22 April 2025}}

On October 21, 2024, DigitalBridge launched a tender offer to take JTOWER, a Japanese telecom infrastructure provider, private by acquiring a majority stake.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge launches offer to acquire JTower in take-private deal |url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240815/featured/digitalbridge-launches-offer-to-acquire-jtower-in-take-private-deal |website=Rcrwireless |access-date=22 April 2025}} On October 28, 2024, DigitalBridge announced its agreement to acquire Yondr Group, a company focused on hyperscale data center solutions. Terms were undisclosed.{{cite web |title=DigitalBridge to acquire Yondr Group, terms undisclosed |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/digitalbridge-acquire-yondr-group-terms-undisclosed |website=Nasdaq |access-date=22 April 2025}}