
On May 22, 2006 the Seminole Tribe of FL (the tribe) filed a claim in 
Broward County, FL court stating that the financial services agreement (FSA) 
between the tribe and Power Plant Entertainment, LLC. (PPE) originally 
executed in 2000, is illegal. Under the terms of the FSA the tribe pays PPE 
30% of net revenues from three of the tribe's six gaming facilities; Tampa 
Hard Rock, Hollywood Hard Rock and Seminole Indian Casino, Hollywood 
(together Tampa/Hollywood). The remaining 70% flows to the tribe and is 
pledged to bondholders. The tribe continues to honor its obligation to PPE 
on a monthly basis and has expressed its intention to maintain such payments 
pending a court decision on the claim. PPE has until Monday, June 12th to 
respond to the tribe's claim and to date, has not filed any official 
correspondence.
Fitch believes that rating action at this time would be premature. If PPE 
files any correspondence by the June 12, 2006 deadline Fitch will conduct 
further review and provide additional comments to the market. Any potential 
impairment of pledged revenues or deterioration of the general credit 
profile of the tribe could create negative pressure on the rating.
Fitch assigned an 'A-' rating to the tribe's Gaming Division Revenue Bonds 
Series 2005 A & B on September 26, 2005. Security for the bonds is primarily 
derived from earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization 
of the tribe's Immokalee, Brighton and Coconut Creek gaming facilities and 
from net revenues of the Tampa/Hollywood facilities, excluding payments to 
PPE. Credit strengths supporting the 'A-' rating include strong legal 
protections, ample debt service coverage, solid competitive position and 
revenue diversity across six gaming facilities and sound financial 
management at both the governmental and gaming operations.
At the time of the rating assignment Fitch identified the key credit risk as 
uncertainty regarding the tribe's contractual relationship with PPE. Prior 
to filing the claim in court, the tribe and PPE were negotiating a buy-out 
of the FSA and Fitch was concerned that any bonded settlement by the tribe 
could reduce debt service coverage. This credit risk is still applicable.
posted by Jerry "Jet" Whittaker at 6/12/2006 08:06:00 AM
 
  
  
  
   
  
 
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