Las Vegas Sun

November 21, 2009

Currently: 65° | Complete forecast | Log in

Letter sent to MGM Mirage employees from CEO James Murren

Friday, March 27, 2009 | 12:49 p.m.

The following letter was sent to MGM Mirage employees from CEO James Murren:

There has been an extraordinary amount of rumor and speculation in recent days about the future of CityCenter. I want to share with you the plain and simple facts about where we are right now.

Let me make this very clear at the outset: MGM MIRAGE has not filed for bankruptcy, and CityCenter has not filed for bankruptcy. Any suggestion that either has is inaccurate.

Today, MGM MIRAGE received permission from its lenders and is making the $200 million March payment required to ensure that construction continues at CityCenter. This includes MGM MIRAGE’s $100 million contribution as well as the $100 million contribution that our partner, Dubai World, should have tendered but did not make.

The action we have taken today allows CityCenter construction to continue to progress and provide the thousands of jobs and other benefits to our local and state economy.

Let me reiterate what I have said many times before: MGM MIRAGE remains deeply committed to successful completion of CityCenter and fulfillment of the economic and social promise that it holds for the future of our Company, our Las Vegas community and our state. To that end we are pursuing all possible options with our partner, Dubai World, our lenders and others to secure the financing that will allow us to cross the finish line of this historic endeavor.

There is little doubt that you will continue to see and hear stories from others about what the future holds for us. I ask that you please reserve judgment on what you hear while your leadership does the vital work necessary to protect our Company’s and your interests. You can be assured that I will continue to update you as often as I can with accurate information. That is my pledge to you.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

James J. Murren

Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board

MGM MIRAGE

Discussion: 12 comments so far…

  1. MGM "has" not filed for bankruptcy yet. But "will" they?????

  2. The subtle request from the senator must have made the banks make another bad loan???

  3. Dear Employees,

    We made our March payment on March 27 which allows us to scramble around for another month to figure out how we're going to continue as a "going concern". Don't worry about that accounting "lingo", it doesn't mean a thing. In the meantime we want to assure you that everything is great and that we are now running our company the way you're running your household: paycheck to paycheck. Rest assured that the executives will continue to indulge in expensive dinners, after work drinks, and private jet excursions at the company's expense. After all, the more you see us living it up the more you'll believe that everything is great. And besides, we can't go to Federal Prison on an empty stomach.

    Thank you,
    The Mgmnt.

    P.S. Those silly Middle Eastern types are just being sore losers. Don't worry about that lawsuit stuff. They just want attention.

  4. Right on!!! Especially:"Rest assured that the executives(MGM)will continue to indulge in expensive dinners, after work drinks, and private jet excursions at the company's expense"

    Well written

  5. Dear (Poor) Employees,

    Let me first announce that we are renaming CityCenter to 'Murrenville' because it is I, Jim Murren, former Wall Street Wiz Analyst who was instrumental in convincing my buddies back home to run down Mr. Wynn's stock so MGM could take over Mirage Resorts back in 2000. Not only that, but I am also the one who is always first to recommend laying you off, mainly because I don't understand that you are the primary assets of a great company. Plus I have to make sure the numbers are looking good for the Quarterly Reports and the big AIG derivative and hedge fund traders!

    I want to be clear about this, NO ONE is going to lose their job because we made this payment. However, in order to keep the stock analysts happy so they'll run the stock up a little higher and I can sell my options before this baby blows we are having a voluntary 'cut back'. Please note: those of you who are being voluntarily 'cut back' are contributing to a greater cause - that of helping me build my portfolio back up after the enormous drop in the stock market.

    Your leader,

    Jimmy

  6. Hey Jimmy, go back to the blueprints the mob laid out to take peoples money,and maybe things may turn around? You ve been bending over your visitors for years,and now there talking,so it may be time for you to take it up the shorts? maybe,lower room rates,cheaper food prices, LOOSEN UP THE GAMEING????? DUH..............

  7. I am wondering even if the project finish, how long can the MGM survive if the economy stay in this dire state?

  8. let this be a lesson to all you business school students out there.

    don't give golden parachutes to your executives.

    make them EARN their pay by paying them based on the performance of the company.

  9. Corporate greed .

  10. ya know... I'd love to sit and have some dinner with these FAT CATS at the MGM. So out of touch are they with the bread and butter - that made them tick..

    The Glitz and SIZE of these companies only go so far..

    Years ago - as a 20 something year old man.. I went to Vegas (thrilled every time!) to play it all Craps, Slots, and poker. My money went to the house (and I won too!)

    Then.. the slot payouts all went to the TOP PRIZE - but (the greed took a good slice off the "new payouts" A really big CUT) THEY borrowed against this NEW PAYOUT plan.. and gave players LESS.. The people CAME to see the NEXT big building - amazed by a building with 5,000 + flushing toilets..

    FOR a WHILE anyways..

    Then they seen that the Cherry's did not pay as much.

    Double and Triple Bars did not pay as much..

    NOTHING PAYED as MUCH..

    and everything else started to cost more.. (shows,dinner, etc)

    Oh yeah..

    I went from 50+ trips to Vegas over 10-15 years to "0"

    Lokks like others are starting to "get the picture too"

    FANTASTIC!

    I'll be BACK.. As soon as the GREED is gone.

    Take my money - sure. But - and I speak for all PLAYERS here.. (yes - I'm bold enough to speak for ALL players)

    WE HAVE TO HAVE A CHANCE... WE HAVE TO HAVE "FUN"..

    Greed - (and the building of these silly - non-personal mega casinos..) KILLED the fun and stopped the never ending GRAVY TRAIN for the casino industry.

    Players will return when the industry gets its head out of .....

    Well.. you know.

    lol

    I'm laughing while I type this.. PEOPLE have had it up to here with the HAVES - "having it all.."

  11. i agree with beaver.

    if i throw $5.00 into a nickel slot machine and play 5 lines at a time and i go through that entire $5.00 bill and don't get ONE winning spin, that's just stealing my money. i'm not having any fun at that point.

    and then i go to the bar and i get charged $8.00 for a corona!

    vegas is not "recession proof" and you bean counters out there need to suck it up and eat sushi twice a week instead of two times per week and free up some money so people can have a good time or they won't come back.

  12. I was in Vegas recently for business and had stayed at the Encore during the week. I decided to extend my stay into the weekend after I received a marketing offer from MGM Grand. I am disappointed to say that it was a mistake. The rooms were horribly dated:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lfl/3224634...

    If they keep pushing rooms like this to their guests, they will surely go bankrupt. I got more value for my money at the Encore.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Full comments policy.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

OR Create an account (It's free)

  • Most Read
  • Discussed
  • Most E-mailed
Live chat
Tuesday, noon PST
Chat with Krista Creelman
Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question

Calendar »

  • 21 Sat
  • 22 Sun
  • 23 Mon
  • 24 Tue
  • 25 Wed