TOKYO -- DeNA intends to acquire the semi-public company running Yokohama Stadium, home of a baseball team owned by the major Japanese mobile platform provider.

Under an agreement with Yokohama Stadium's management, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars will buy the majority of the company's outstanding shares through a tender offer.

The move aims to integrate management of the team and the stadium, as DeNA hopes the club, acquired in 2011, will generate profit soon. The mobile company also may consider expanding the stadium, a step currently restricted by law.

The acquisition price will vary depending on the number of shares involved, but it is expected to be 10 billion yen ($82.6 million) or so. DeNA will tap group companies for funding. The acquisition will include neither the land, which is owned by Japan's government, nor the building, owned by the city.

Shareholders are expected to be briefed soon. DeNA plans to start the tender offer process by the end of the year to complete the acquisition early in 2016.

Yokohama Stadium is an unlisted public-private entity funded 5.74% each by Yokohama City, three TV stations and the BayStars, in addition to parties including the Bank of Yokohama, a major general contractor and local citizens. Operating profit was around 370 million yen for the fiscal year through January.

DeNA has been unable to fully capitalize on the team's popularity. The stadium drew over 1.8 million spectators this season, up roughly 70% from before the team's 2011 acquisition. But with attendance nearing 90% of capacity, admission revenue is approaching the limit. In addition, the stadium operator takes in the majority of the ad revenue.

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles both have successfully integrated team-stadium operations in similar moves.

(Nikkei)