Form 8-K

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Date: October 16, 2015

/s/ G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor

G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor

Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

0001193125-15-344949.txt : 20151016 0001193125-15-344949.hdr.sgml : 20151016 20151015193935 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-15-344949 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20151015 ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20151016 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20151015 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001564902 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990] IRS NUMBER: 271220297 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-35883 FILM NUMBER: 151160938 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9205 SOUTH PARK CENTER LOOP STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: ORLANDO STATE: FL ZIP: 32819 BUSINESS PHONE: (407) 226-5011 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9205 SOUTH PARK CENTER LOOP STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: ORLANDO STATE: FL ZIP: 32819 8-K 1 d57703d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 15, 2015

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware

001-35883

27-1220297

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

9205 South Park Center Loop, Suite 400

Orlando, Florida

32819

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(407) 226-5011

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 15, 2015, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company intends to pursue legal action against the California Coastal Commission (the “Commission”) for imposing a condition that would ban killer whale breeding at SeaWorld San Diego in connection with the Commission’s approval of the Company’s Blue World Project at SeaWorld San Diego. The full text of the press release announcing the approval is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information set forth under this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits


Exhibit No.		Description

Exhibit 99.1		Press release of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., dated October 15, 2015.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EX-99.1 2 d57703dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Announces It Intends

To Challenge California Coastal Commission Condition

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 15, 2015 — SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) announced today that the company intends to pursue legal action against the California Coastal Commission for its overreaching condition that would ban killer whale breeding at SeaWorld San Diego. Animal welfare is governed by federal and state laws that do not fall within the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission’s appointed board. The vote by the Commission came during the course of its ultimate approval of the Blue World Project at SeaWorld San Diego. George Soneff, Jack S. Yeh and Michael Berger of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP have been retained to represent SeaWorld in this challenge.

“As a regulatory board charged with managing coastal development and related land-use decisions, the Coastal Commission went way beyond its jurisdiction and authority when it banned breeding by killer whales at SeaWorld. By imposing broad new jurisdiction over all future SeaWorld marine animal projects, as well as aquarium projects elsewhere in the state, the Commission has overstepped both federal and California law,” said Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It simply defies common sense that a straightforward land-use permit approval would turn into a ban on animal husbandry practices – an area in which the Commissioners have no education, training or expertise. To say that this is a dubious decision with no legal basis is an understatement, which is why we must and will challenge the Commission’s decision.”

SeaWorld is strictly regulated by the federal government, with frequent random inspections by federal veterinarians and other officials. The company passes strict licensing requirements every year and is accredited by organizations including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). According to the AZA, SeaWorld is “meeting or exceeding the highest standard of animal care and welfare of any zoological organization in the world.”

About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company delivering personal, interactive and educational experiences that blend imagination with nature and enable its customers to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world we share. The Company owns or licenses a portfolio of globally recognized brands including SeaWorld^®, Shamu^® and Busch Gardens^®. Over its more than 50-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 11 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection of approximately 89,000 marine and terrestrial animals. The Company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld rescue team has helped more than 26,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.

Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. can be obtained online at www.seaworldentertainment.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company’s press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail by registering at that website.

Contacts:

Investor Relations Inquiries:

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

855.797.8625

Investors@seaworld.com

Media Inquiries:

Fred Jacobs

Vice President of Communications

Fred.Jacobs@seaworld.com