Press Releases
Sportradar Announces Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and TCV as New Strategic Partners
Sportradar, the global leader in analysing and leveraging the power of sports data, announced two new strategic partners: Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Silicon Valley-based growth equity firm TCV.
CPPIB, through its wholly owned subsidiary, CPP Investment Board Europe S.à r.l., and TCV will together acquire a stake in Sportradar at an enterprise value of EUR 2.1Bn (~USD 2.4Bn.) from private equity firm EQT and certain minority shareholders. Carsten Koerl, Founder and CEO, will retain his entire ownership position in Sportradar and will continue to drive its future development and growth. EQT will also reinvest a portion of its sale proceeds into Sportradar. Additional existing shareholders include Revolution Growth, Ted Leonsis, Michael Jordan, and Mark Cuban.
“CPPIB and TCV are both known for extensive global tech experience and a track record for working alongside innovative management teams to help achieve their long-term vision,” said Carsten Koerl, CEO of Sportradar. “Having two new investors with a strong North American footprint is ideal given our increasing focus and expanding operations in the U.S., as the sports industry evolves to meet the expectations of today’s sports fans. Sportradar will continue to develop best-in-class, integrity and technology- driven services as we expand into new market segments, and we’re excited to have such a strong team behind us.”
Sportradar is the nexus between sports and entertainment, serving leagues, news media, consumer platforms and sports betting operators with deep insights and a suite of strategic solutions to help grow their businesses. Sportradar is the trusted partner of more than 1,000 companies in over 80 countries and serves as the official partner of the NBA, NFL, NHL and NASCAR as well as FIFA and UEFA. It is also the only provider entrusted to work with the US sports leagues in an official capacity to distribute sports data (NBA and NHL) and AV content (MLB) around the world for betting purposes. With deep industry relationships, Sportradar is not just redefining the experience of being a sports fan; it also safeguards fairness in the sports themselves through its Integrity Services team. By monitoring abnormal betting patterns or social signals around matches, Sportradar’s Integrity Services division has escalated insights to authorities that have resulted in hundreds of sporting sanctions globally.
“The sports data market, particularly real-time data, is a compelling long-term investment opportunity, with strong growth driven by rising fan engagement, opening of new markets and increasing spend on digital sports content globally,” said Ryan Selwood, Managing Director, Head of Direct Private Equity, CPPIB. “We are excited to partner with Carsten and look forward to supporting his innovative vision for Sportradar by further investing into artificial intelligence and global expansion.”
“Sportradar is a world-class sports data business that has maintained an impressive track record of delivering best-in-class technology solutions with a customer-centric approach,” said John Doran, General Partner at TCV. “We look forward to working with Carsten and the team to take advantage of the developing U.S. market and drive the evolution of how sports content will be consumed in the future.”
“Through this investment, CPPIB is able to participate in a compelling global technology growth story alongside our new partners, including Carsten and TCV,” said Alain Carrier, Senior Managing Director and
Head of International, CPPIB. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Sportradar’s management team as they drive the company forward across new customer segments and geographies.”
“We love backing great CEOs with a big vision, and Sportradar fits that profile perfectly,” said Jay Hoag, founding General Partner at TCV. “We are excited about working with Carsten, CPPIB, and existing shareholders to accelerate product innovation and drive continued growth.”
“Revolution invested in Sportradar because we know how powerful real-time data and analytics have become to the live sports business. Sportradar’s vision for how the world will use this data has made them the most influential sports data and information company in the world and they are well-positioned for expansion in the U.S. market given the recent decision by the Supreme Court to legalize sports betting,” said Ted Leonsis, Revolution Growth Cofounder and Partner.
EQT initially invested in Sportradar through its fund EQT Expansion Capital II in 2012, and subsequently invested through its fund EQT VI in 2014. During its partnership with EQT, Sportradar has seen positive organic and acquisition-based growth at approximately 40% revenue growth annually, and has grown its presence in Europe, the United States and Asia via the addition of 1,400 employees and a number of key strategic hires. The company now monitors and delivers insights from more than 400,000 matches annually across 60 sports categories, having developed the industry’s most proficient software while setting new standards for speed and accuracy.
“Sportradar has undergone an extraordinary transformation and is today a true global market leader in the sports data and digital content solutions space. The management team – led by Carsten – has done a fantastic job in driving the business towards the strategic vision that formed the basis for the partnership between Carsten and EQT,” said Dominik Stein, Partner at EQT. “We are convinced that CPPIB and TCV will be great partners to drive the strategic agenda for the future and EQT is excited to maintain a minority stake in the company.”
Closing of the transaction is expected in Q4 2018, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and consents.
Latest News
7-Eleven selects Jackpot.com as their official lottery partner
Online Lottery Courier Service Jackpot.com Announces Exclusive Collaboration with 7-Eleven, Inc.
Jackpot.com will serve as the official lottery courier service of 7-Eleven, Inc., initially launching in Ohio and Massachusetts
Jackpot.com – the online lottery courier service that allows consumers to purchase official state lottery tickets on their phone, tablet, or computer – announced today an exclusive collaboration with 7-Eleven Inc., the largest convenience store chain in the world, to serve as their official lottery courier service.
As part of the collaboration, 7-Eleven customers in Ohio and Massachusetts will be able to sign up and play lottery games and scratchers on the Jackpot.com app or website. The program will initially be launched in over 600 7-Eleven and Speedway stores in Ohio and Massachusetts, with a special launch promotion that gives 7-Eleven customers a free lottery ticket on their first deposit by using promo code, “7Eleven”.
“We’re thrilled to work with 7-Eleven, the leading retailer of lottery tickets in the country,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com. “Leveraging our technology and innovation, we can provide additional convenience for their customers, while adding an additional source of revenue. A true win-win relationship for all.”
By launching in Ohio and Massachusetts in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Jackpot.com aims at adding another avenue for player convenience with one of the most widely recognized brands in the convenience-retailing space. With a presence in Ohio, the nation’s seventh-largest lottery market, and Massachusetts, whose state lottery produced $1.2 billion in net profit for the Commonwealth during the 2024 fiscal year, Jackpot.com’s collaboration with 7-Eleven represents an added layer of accessibility for players.
Jackpot.com remains committed to responsible play and has significantly invested in protocols by allowing customers of legal age to set spend limits and limits on daily deposits, all while providing access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior be detected. Jackpot.com is also the only lottery courier service to launch with an iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
To learn more, visit jackpot.com. First-time users can also download the official Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, where available.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
eSports
Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference
Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience. As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.
Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.
Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .
“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.”
Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated: “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”
He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”
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