Dallas Basketball owns and operates the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball franchise, which joined the National Basketball Association in 1980. Dallas struggled to find success for much of its history but has become a regular contender for the playoffs under current owner Mark Cuban. A talented roster that included such players as Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard earned the franchise's first trip to the NBA Finals in 2006 (which resulted in a loss to the Miami Heat). The Dallas basketball team was formed by millionaire Donald Carter; Cuban, an Internet billionaire, has controlled the Mavs since 2000.

Maybe for this company, down-home eating means home on the range. Formerly Metromedia Steakhouses, Homestyle Dining operates and franchises about 250 steak buffet restaurants under the names Ponderosa and Bonanza. The family-dining spots offer a variety of beef, chicken, seafood entrees along with an all-you-can-eat buffet of appetizers, sides, and dessert items. The restaurants operate in about two dozen states, mostly in the eastern half of the US; the company also has about 50 international locations. Homestyle Dining, which emerged from bankruptcy in 2009, is a subsidiary of Metromedia Company, a holding company controlled by billionaire John Kluge.

Waterford Gaming, LLC helped develop and manage the Mohegan Sun gambling resort through a partnership with Kerzner International. The Connecticut resort is now managed by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, but Waterford continues to earn revenue from the resort's operations, which include several casinos, restaurants, nightclubs, and a 10,000-seat arena. Waterford Gaming, LLC has additional operations in Colorado (various racetracks), New York (development stage gaming and entertainment facility), and Rhode Island (Twin River gaming and entertainment). Waterford Gaming is part of the Waterford Group.

With nearly 50 company and franchised locations worldwide, Damon's International, Inc., is a leading full-service, casual dining restaurant concept that emphasizes prime rib, grilled steaks, chicken, seafood, salad and Damon's award-winning ribs. Guests enjoy a quiet dining room or Damon's high-energy Clubhouse that features DTV, a proprietary, state-of-the-art multi-screen entertainment system offering sports, network programming and interactive games. Founded in 1979, Damon's International, Inc., is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

Chelsea FC owns and operates Chelsea Football Club, one of the top soccer teams in the English Premier League. Known to supporters as the Blues, the club boasts three league titles and four FA Cups, as well as one of the stronger followings in the UK. In addition to the team, Chelsea FC owns and operates an entertainment complex that includes hotels, a health club, and convention center, as well as the team's home pitch at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea Football Club was founded by Gus Mears in 1905. Roman Abramovich, one of Russia's richest citizens, purchased Chelsea FC in 2003.

Starhotels was founded in 1980 by Ferruccio Fabri and is now headed by his daughter Elisabetta. Starhotels offers an authentic Italian experience, whether you're in Rome, Paris, or New York. The family-owned company owns and operates 20 luxury hotels in Italy, as well as The Michelangelo in New York and the Castille in Paris. Starhotels are located in urban areas and feature regional d�cor and cuisine true to each area of Italy. (The Michelangelo's restaurant, Insieme, and the Castille's restaurant, The Assaggio, both feature popular dishes from all over Italy). Starhotels are tailored for the upscale traveler and business executive. Hotels average about 200 rooms each, and some properties have residences for long-term stays.

Emperor Entertainment Hotel Limited owns and operates the Grand Emperor Hotel in Macao, the Chinese version of the Las Vegas Strip. The Grand Emperor offers 300 rooms, as well as gaming facilities, entertainment services, restaurants, and shopping outlets. Emperor Entertainment is also developing Shanghai Star City, a shopping mall in Shanghai that will include restaurants, cinemas, and an assortment of retail stores. Shanghai Star City is to be completed in 2009.

Here's a company clawing its way to the top in the basketball world. Bobcats Basketball Holdings, which does business as Bobcats Sports & Entertainment, owns and operates the Charlotte Bobcats professional basketball team. The newest member of the National Basketball Association, the franchise was awarded in 2004 to Robert Johnson, founder of cable broadcaster BET, and replaced the Hornets team that had left Charlotte, North Carolina, for New Orleans in 2002. The Bobcats play host at the Time Warner Cable Arena. NBA legend Michael Jordan, who played for the Chicago Bulls, purchased control of the team from Johnson in 2010

Peel back the layers of this restaurateur and you'll find more than a bloomin' steakhouse. OSI Restaurant Partners is the #2 casual-dining company in terms of revenue (behind Darden Restaurants) with about 1,470 locations in the US and more than 20 other countries. Its flagship Outback Steakhouse chain boasts about 970 outposts offering steak, chicken, and seafood in Australian-themed surroundings. OSI Restaurants also operates the Carrabba's Italian Grill chain, along with Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. A small number of the restaurants are franchised. Kangaroo Holdings, a group including co-founders Chris Sullivan and Bob Basham and private equity firm Bain Capital, owns the company.

Fitness First Plc is one of the world's leading fitness club operators with some 550 locations and more than 1.5 million members in more than 20 countries. About 170 clubs are located in the UK. The company has launched a franchise business to open Fitness First clubs in the Middle East and North Africa. Fitness First's clubs offer a variety of exercise equipment, weight management programs, exercise classes, spas and steam rooms, tanning beds, and lounges. The company is owned by European private equity firm BC Partners.

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