Exhibit 5.2
January 17, 2017
To Each of the Persons Listed
on Schedule A Attached Hereto
| Re: | MGP Lessor, LLC |
MGP Lessor Holdings, LLC
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for MGP Lessor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lessor”), MGP Lessor Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings,” and together with Lessor, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company,” and collectively with the Subsidiary Guarantors, the “Delaware Companies”), in connection with the exchange by the Company and MGP FinanceCo-Issuer, Inc. (the“Co-Issuer”) of (A) up to $1,050,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of their outstanding 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Initial Notes”) and the related guarantees of the 2024 Initial Notes by the Subsidiary Guarantors, which were issued on April 20, 2016 pursuant to the April Indenture (as defined below), for a like aggregate amount of the Company’s and theCo-Issuer’s registered 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024 issued in accordance with the April Indenture and the April Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) (the “2024 Exchange Notes”) and the related guarantees of the 2024 Exchange Notes by the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with the April Indenture and the April Registration Rights Agreement (the “2024 Exchange Guarantees”) and (B) up to $500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of their outstanding 4.500% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Initial Notes”) and the related guarantees of the 2026 Initial Notes by the Subsidiary Guarantors, which were issued on August 12, 2016 pursuant to the August Indenture (as defined below), for a like aggregate amount of the Company’s and theCo-Issuer’s registered 4.500% Senior Notes due 2026 issued in accordance with the August Indenture and the August Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) (the “2026 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2024 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) and the related guarantees of the 2026 Exchange Notes by the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with the August Indenture and the August Registration Rights Agreement (the “2026 Exchange Guarantees” and, together with the 2024 Exchange Guarantees, the “Exchange Guarantees”), each in accordance with the Indentures and the Registration Rights Agreements (each as defined below) (collectively, the “Exchange”). At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
To Each of the Persons Listed
on Schedule A Attached Hereto
January 17, 2017
Page 2
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated January 6, 2016, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”) on January 6, 2016, as corrected by the Certificate of Correction thereto, dated as of January 12, 2016, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on January 12, 2016;
(b) The Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated April 25, 2016, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on April 25, 2016;
(c) The Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated as of January 6, 2016, by MGM OP Holdco Inc., as general partner, and MGM Resorts International, as limited partner;
(d) The Assignment of Limited Partner Interest and First Amendment to Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated as of January 12, 2016, among MGM OP Holdco Inc., as general partner, MGM Resorts International, as existing limited partner, and MGM OP Holdco Sub, LLC, as successor limited partner;
(e) The Omnibus Transfer, Contribution & Exchange Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2016, among the Company, MGM Resorts International, MGM OP Holdco Inc., MGM OP Holdco Sub, LLC, the MGM Growth Properties OP GP LLC (the “General Partner”), Holdings, MGM Growth Properties LLC (the “MGM Limited Partner”) and the Contributing Parties (as defined therein);
(f) The Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, dated as of April 25, 2016 (the “Partnership Agreement”), by the General Partner, as general partner, and the MGM Limited Partner and the other persons listed as limited partners on Exhibit A thereto, as limited partners;
(g) The Certificate of Formation of Lessor (under the name DT Resort Propco, LLC), dated January 6, 2016, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on January 6, 2016, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment thereto (changing its name to MGP Lessor, LLC), dated March 21, 2016, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on March 21, 2016;
(h) The Operating Agreement of Lessor, dated as of January 6, 2016, by MGM Grand Detroit, LLC, as member;
(i) The Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Lessor, dated as of March 21, 2016, by MGM Grand Detroit, LLC, as member, as amended by the First Amendment thereto, effective as of April 5, 2016 (as so amended, the “Lessor Agreement”), by MGM Grand Detroit, LLC, as member;
To Each of the Persons Listed
on Schedule A Attached Hereto
January 17, 2017
Page 3
(j) The Certificate of Formation of Holdings (under the name Detroit Propco Holdings, LLC), dated January 6, 2016, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on January 6, 2016, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment thereto (changing its name to MGP Lessor Holdings, LLC), dated March 21, 2016, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on March 21, 2016;
(k) The Operating Agreement of Holdings, dated as of January 6, 2016, by MGM Grand Detroit, LLC, as member;
(l) The Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Holdings, dated as of March 21, 2016, by MGM Grand Detroit, LLC, as member, as amended by the First Amendment thereto, effective as of April 5, 2016 (as so amended, the “Holdings Agreement,” and together with the Lessor Agreement, each a “Subsidiary LLC Agreement”), by MGM Grand Detroit, LLC, as member;
(m) The Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the General Partner, dated as of January 25, 2016, by MGM Growth Properties LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as member, as amended by the First Amendment thereto, effective as of April 5, 2016;
(n) The Joint Unanimous Written Consent of Managers of Holdings and Lessor, dated as of March 30, 2016 (the “March Subsidiary Guarantor Consent”);
(o) The Joint Unanimous Written Consent of Managers of Holdings and Lessor, dated as of August 8, 2016 (jointly with the March Subsidiary Guarantor Consent, the “Subsidiary Guarantor Consent”);
(p) The Written Consent of the Board of Directors of the General Partner of the Company, dated April 25, 2016 (the “April Company Consent”);
(q) The Written Consent of the Board of Managers of the General Partner of the Company, dated August 8, 2016 (jointly with the April Company Consent, the “Company Consent”);
(r) The Indenture, dated as of April 20, 2016, among MGP Escrow Issuer, LLC, MGP EscrowCo-Issuer, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 2016, among the Delaware Companies, MGP EscrowCo-Issuer, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (as so supplemented, the “April Indenture”);
(s) The Indenture, dated as of August 12, 2016, among the Delaware Companies, theCo-Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association (the “August Indenture,” and together with the April Indenture, the “Indentures”);
To Each of the Persons Listed
on Schedule A Attached Hereto
January 17, 2017
Page 4
(t) The Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2016, among,inter alia, MGP Escrow Issuer, LLC, MGP EscrowCo-Issuer, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the “April Registration Rights Agreement”);
(u) The Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2016 (the “August Registration Rights Agreements, and together with the April Registration Rights Agreements, the “Registration Rights Agreements”), among,inter alia, the Delaware Companies, theCo-Issuer, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC;
(v) The form of 2024 Exchange Note, in the form attached as Exhibit A to the April Indenture;
(w) The form of 2026 Exchange Note, in the form attached as Exhibit A to the August Indenture;
(x) A Certificate of an Officer of the General Partner, dated January 16, 2017, as to certain matters; and
(y) A Certificate of Good Standing for each of the Delaware Companies, each dated January 17, 2017, obtained from the Secretary of State.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (y) above. In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (y) above) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into any document reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed that (i) all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, (ii) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, (iii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform with the originals of those documents, and (iv) the documents, in the forms submitted to us for our review, have not been and will not be altered or amended in any respect material to our opinions expressed herein.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) except to the extent provided in paragraphs 1 and 3 below, the due organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid existence in good standing of each party to the documents examined by us under the laws of the jurisdiction governing its organization or formation and the legal capacity of natural persons who are signatories to the documents examined by us, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraphs
To Each of the Persons Listed
on Schedule A Attached Hereto
January 17, 2017
Page 5
2 and 4 below, that each of the parties to the documents examined by us has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents, (iii) except to the extent provided in paragraphs 2 and 4 below, the due authorization, execution and delivery by all parties thereto of all documents examined by us, (iv) that any amendment or restatement of any document reviewed by us has been accomplished in accordance with the relevant provisions of said document prior to its amendment or restatement from time to time, (v) that the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Indentures, the Registration Rights Agreements and the Exchange Notes, and the consummation of the Exchange, (a) will permit the MGM Limited Partner at all times to be classified as, and will not adversely affect the ability of the MGM Limited Partner to qualify as, a REIT (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) for federal income tax purposes, and will not result in the change of any election relating to the tax status of the Company or the MGM Limited Partner, (b) do not subject the MGM Limited Partner to any additional taxes under Section 857 or Section 4981 of the Code (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), (c) do not violate any law or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the MGM Limited Partner or its securities or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), and (d) will not subject a limited partner of the Company to liability as a general partner of the Company in any jurisdiction or any other personal liability except as provided in the Partnership Agreement or under the LP Act (as defined below), (vi) that none of the Delaware Companies has dissolved, and (vii) that the Partnership Agreement, each Subsidiary LLC Agreement, the Company Consent and the Subsidiary Guarantor Consent are in full force and effect, have not been amended or revoked, and no amendment or revocation of such documents is pending or has been proposed. We have not participated in the preparation of any offering material relating to any of the Delaware Companies and assume no responsibility for the contents of any such material.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities and blue sky laws, tax laws, insurance laws and antitrust laws of the State of Delaware and laws of the State of Delaware applicable to the particular nature of the assets or activities of the Delaware Companies, and rules, regulations, orders, and decisions relating thereto), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws (including federal bankruptcy law) and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are currently in effect. In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we express no opinion concerning (i) the creation, attachment, perfection or priority of any security interest, lien or other encumbrance, or (ii) the nature or validity of title to any property.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware.
To Each of the Persons Listed
on Schedule A Attached Hereto
January 17, 2017
Page 6
2. Under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (6Del.C. §17-101,etseq.) (the “LP Act”), the Partnership Agreement and the Company Consent, the Company has the requisite limited partnership power and authority to execute and deliver the Indentures and the Exchange Notes, and to perform its obligations thereunder. Under the LP Act, the Partnership Agreement and the Company Consent, the execution and delivery by the Company of the Indentures and the Exchange Notes, and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, have been duly authorized by the requisite limited partnership action on the part of the Company.
3. Each Subsidiary Guarantor has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware.
4. Under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. §18-101, et seq.) (the “LLC Act”), the applicable Subsidiary LLC Agreement and the Subsidiary Guarantor Consent, each Subsidiary Guarantor has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver the Indentures, and to perform its obligations thereunder (including with respect to the Exchange Guarantees). Under the LLC Act, the applicable Subsidiary LLC Agreement and the Subsidiary Guarantor Consent, the execution and delivery by each Subsidiary Guarantor of the Indentures, and the performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations thereunder (including with respect to the Exchange Guarantees), have been duly authorized by the requisite limited liability company action on the part of such Subsidiary Guarantor.
In rendering the opinions expressed above, we express no opinion with respect to (i) provisions of any document reviewed by us that apply to an individual or entity that is not a party to such document, or (ii) any condition, limitation, prohibition or restriction on (A) the ability or right of the Company to make distributions or payments to the extent any such distributions or payments are required to be made pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement, or (B) Redemptions (as defined in the Partnership Agreement).
We understand that you will rely as to matters of Delaware law upon this opinion in connection with the matters set forth herein. In connection with the foregoing, we hereby consent to your relying as to matters of Delaware law upon this opinion, subject to the understanding that the opinions rendered herein are given on the date hereof and such opinions are rendered only with respect to facts existing on the date hereof and laws, rules and regulations currently in effect. There are no implied opinions in this opinion letter, and we undertake no obligation to advise anyone of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement onForm S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with respect to the offering of the Exchange Notes, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 17, 2017, and to the reference to us under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. |
Schedule A
MGM Growth Properties, LLC
6385 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 500
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118