Sam Nazarian#SLS Hotels
{{Short description|American businessman}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sam Nazarian
| image =
| caption =
| native_name = سام نظریان
| native_name_lang = fa
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1975}}
| birth_place = Tehran, Imperial State of Iran
| alma_mater = University of Southern California
| years_active =
| occupation = CEO of Umami Burger
Founder & CEO of SBE Entertainment Group
| spouse = Emina Cunmulaj
| website = [http://SBE.com SBE.com]
| parents = Younes Nazarian
| relatives = Izak Parviz Nazarian (uncle)
David Nazarian (brother)
Angella Nazarian (sister-in-law)
Shulamit Nazarian (sister)
| footnotes =
| signature =
}}
Sam Nazarian (Persian: سام نظریان; born 1975) is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of SBE Entertainment Group, a lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages, and operates hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs globally. In 2023, Nazarian expanded his ventures by launching HQ Hotels & Residences, a hospitality brand in alliance with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian's SBE Forms Strategic Alliance with Wyndham |url=https://corporate.wyndhamhotels.com/news-releases/sam-nazarians-sbe-forms-strategic-alliance-with-wyndham-launches-new-smart-lifestyle-brand-project-hq-hotels-residences/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Wyndham Hotels}}
Early life and education
Nazarian was born into a Persian Jewish family in Tehran, Iran, in 1975. Following the Iranian Revolution, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Beverly Hills, California. He is the son of Younes Nazarian, an early investor in Qualcomm. Nazarian attended Beverly Hills High School, graduating in 1993, and later studied at the University of Southern California. In recognition of his support, the Beverly Hills High School basketball court was renamed Sam Nazarian Court after he donated $200,000 to the Beverly Hills Athletic Alumni Association.{{Cite news |last=Ceasar |first=Stephen |date=February 3, 2015 |title=Along with his name on Beverly Hills campuses, donor buys controversy |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-beverly-hills-names-20150203-story.html |access-date=January 31, 2025}}
Business career
In 1998, Nazarian founded Platinum Wireless, a telecommunications company specializing in the distribution of Nextel products. After selling the company in 2001, he ventured into real estate with his father, establishing 3Wall Development in 1999. In 2002, he founded SBE Entertainment Group, focusing on hospitality ventures.{{Cite web |title=SBE Entertainment Group |url=https://www.sbe.com |access-date=January 31, 2025}}
Under Nazarian's leadership, SBE expanded to include brands such as SLS Hotels, Hyde Lounge, and Katsuya. In 2020, he sold the remaining 50% stake of SBE's hotel platform to Accor Hotels but retained its food and beverage operations.{{Cite web |title=Accor takes full ownership of SBE hotel brands |url=https://press.accor.com/cp-sve-eng/?lang=en |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Accor}}
In 2023, Nazarian re-entered the hotel industry by launching HQ Hotels & Residences through an alliance with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This initiative focuses on hospitality experiences through dining, nightlife, and wellness.{{Cite web |title=HQ Hotels: Sam Nazarian’s New Venture |url=https://hotelsmag.com/news/in-hq-hotels-sam-nazarian-is-back-and-reminding-people-who-he-still-is/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Hotels Magazine}}
The first HQ Hotels & Residences locations are planned in Montreux, Switzerland, and Detroit, Michigan. The Montreux property, The HQ Montreux Hotel & Spa, will feature 155 rooms and 42 residences. The Detroit property, HQ Detroit Hotel & Spa, will offer 174 guestrooms.{{Cite web |title=HQ Hotels Expanding Globally |url=https://hotelsmag.com/news/in-hq-hotels-sam-nazarian-is-back-and-reminding-people-who-he-still-is/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Hotels Magazine}}
Monetary and legal difficulties
= Regulatory and Licensing Challenges =
In December 2014, Sam Nazarian faced scrutiny from the Nevada Gaming Control Board during his bid for a gaming license related to his ownership of the SLS Las Vegas hotel and casino. The investigation revealed Nazarian had used cocaine during a trip to Mexico and made approximately \$3 million in payments to convicted felon Derrick "Smokey" Armstrong, whom Nazarian described as an extortionist.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian gives up control of SLS Las Vegas after drug use admission |url=[https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sam-nazarian-sls-las-vegas-20141216-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sam-nazarian-sls-las-vegas-20141216-story.html) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Some of these payments were allegedly funneled through associates including Suge Knight and Hai Waknine.{{Cite web |title=Suge Knight and Rick Fox Linked to Sam Nazarian Drug Scandal |url=[https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/suge-knight-and-rick-fox-linked-sam-nazarian-drug-scandal-247641/](https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/suge-knight-and-rick-fox-linked-sam-nazarian-drug-scandal-247641/) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Vibe}} As a result, Nazarian was granted only a one-year limited gaming license, which required him to submit to random drug testing and removed him from daily casino operations. Operational control of the SLS was transferred to Stockbridge Capital, though Nazarian retained a 10% stake.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian gives up control of SLS Las Vegas after drug use admission |url=[https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sam-nazarian-sls-las-vegas-20141216-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sam-nazarian-sls-las-vegas-20141216-story.html) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}}
= Misconduct Allegations and Extortion Payments =
The Nevada investigation also uncovered that Nazarian had paid around \$3 million to Armstrong and his affiliates over several years, which Nazarian claimed were extortion payments made under duress. He reported Armstrong to Los Angeles police but continued making payments due to fear and reputational concerns.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian gives up control of SLS Las Vegas after drug use admission |url=[https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sam-nazarian-sls-las-vegas-20141216-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sam-nazarian-sls-las-vegas-20141216-story.html) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Armstrong denied the extortion claims and maintained he was a legitimate business partner.
= Lawsuits and Financial Disputes =
In 2015, a group of investors sued Nazarian over an \$8 million investment in the SLS South Beach hotel in Miami, alleging financial misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty.{{Cite web |title=Hotel mogul Sam Nazarian sued over Miami hotel deal |url=[https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hotel-and-nightclub-mogul-sued-over-miami-hotel-deal-20150430-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hotel-and-nightclub-mogul-sued-over-miami-hotel-deal-20150430-story.html) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}} A Los Angeles judge found evidence suggesting Nazarian had structured the deal to favor himself and a new partner at the expense of earlier investors. That same year, he was also sued over unpaid storage fees for a Ferrari, a case Nazarian disputed, claiming he never owned the vehicle.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian sued over unpaid Ferrari storage |url=[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sam-nazarian-sued-unpaid-ferrari-759333/](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sam-nazarian-sued-unpaid-ferrari-759333/) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}
= Partner Conflicts and Withdrawals =
In 2015, Nazarian's company SBE was removed from a major Frank Gehry-designed development in downtown Los Angeles. The project's lead developer, Related Companies, severed ties with SBE following public revelations from the gaming board hearing.{{Cite web |title=Nazarian's company removed from downtown L.A. development |url=[https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-nazarians-company-forced-out-of-downtown-la-development-20150306-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-nazarians-company-forced-out-of-downtown-la-development-20150306-story.html) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Additionally, Stockbridge Capital bought out Nazarian’s remaining interest in SLS Las Vegas after the property posted an \$84 million loss in the first half of 2015.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian's exit from SLS Las Vegas |url=[https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sls-nazarian-20151005-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sls-nazarian-20151005-story.html) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}}
= Failed and Fraudulent Ventures =
Nazarian’s SLS Las Vegas venture ultimately failed and was later sold and rebranded. Separately, in 2015, Nazarian partnered with developer Serena Shi for a proposed resort in Coachella, California. The project was later revealed to be fraudulent, and Shi was convicted of wire fraud in 2021 after diverting investor funds for personal use.{{Cite web |title=Developer sentenced to prison in \$27-million Coachella resort fraud |url=[https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-11-23/coachella-resort-china-fraud-serena-shi](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-11-23/coachella-resort-china-fraud-serena-shi) |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Nazarian and SBE were not accused of wrongdoing, but their involvement lent the scheme an air of legitimacy.
Film production
Nazarian has been involved in film production as an executive producer. His credits include Waiting..., Down in the Valley, Five Fingers, The Last Time, Mr. Brooks, and College.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian - Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/sam_nazarian |access-date=January 31, 2025}}
Board memberships and recognitions
From 2008 to 2011, Nazarian served on the board of trustees of the Southern California Institute of Architecture. In July 2009, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed him to the Board of Airport Commissioners of Los Angeles World Airports. In 2014, Nazarian was named to Fortune's 40 Under 40 list.{{Cite journal |title=Fortune 40 Under 40 |url=http://fortune.com/40-under-40/sam-nazarian-27/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Fortune}}
Personal life
Nazarian is married to American model Emina Cunmulaj. The couple has been involved in philanthropic efforts.{{Cite web |title=Sam Nazarian and Philanthropy |url=https://hotelsmag.com/news/in-hq-hotels-sam-nazarian-is-back-and-reminding-people-who-he-still-is/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Hotels Magazine}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{IMDb name|1343092}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nazarian, Sam}}
Category:American chief executives of travel and tourism industry companies
Category:American film producers
Category:American people of Iranian-Jewish descent
Category:University of Southern California alumni
Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles
Category:Iranian emigrants to the United States
Category:American restaurateurs
Category:Businesspeople from Beverly Hills, California
Category:Businesspeople from Tehran
Category:Exiles of the Iranian Revolution in the United States