Sportradar acquires core business of Sportman Media Group
| By iGB Editorial Team
Sportradar has struck a deal to acquire the shares and core business of Sportman Media Group, a company that specialises in sports media rights, marketing and platforms.
Sportradar has struck a deal to acquire the shares and core business of Sportman Media Group, a company that specialises in sports media rights, marketing and platforms.
Under the agreement, Sportradar will acquire the business from Thomas Krohne and Karl Wieseneder, the founders of sportman.
Sportradar will take ownership of the Sportman business, as well as LAOLA1.tv, a global online sports television channel; LAOLA1 Media, an Austrian sports site and new media service partner for clubs and organisations; and the unas media productions live streaming and video-platform production arm.
Although both parties have signed the deal off, the acquisition remains subject to approval from the relevant anti-trust authorities and is expected to go through by June this year.
In a statement confirming the deal, Sportradar said the acquisition will allow it to create one of the largest audiovisual sports offerings currently available from a single provider.
Coverage will include the German Bundesliga top-tier club football competition, as well as International Tennis Federation events and the KHL ice hcoeky league.
“Even after 15 years in the betting industry, Sportradar never rests on its laurels,” Sportradar chief executive Carsten Koerl said.
“Although we already provide the market-leading offering in data, odds and trading services, this agreement marks a shift.
“It will upgrade our audiovisual portfolio and will ensure that our clients will have the broadest and best range of solutions to choose from, whether on an individual basis, or whether on a bespoke bundle of solutions basis.
“But it also provides a unique opportunity to explore new synergies where we can cross-pollinate our various products and services.”
Krohne added: “We have chosen an ideal buyer for our group of companies with Sportradar; the sports rights, production and platform business we set up perfectly complements that of Sportradar.
“The size and international orientation of Sportradar offer the ideal conditions for successfully developing the business we set up.”
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