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- IMG Arena’s portfolio includes partnerships with three of tennis’ four Grand Slams
- Sportradar sees its 2024 revenue grow by 26% YoY to €1.11bn
- Endeavor preparing to be taken private by Silver Lake at equity value of US$13bn
Global sports technology company Sportradar has agreed to acquire the IMG Arena betting and sports data business from Endeavor.
The deal will see Endeavor pay Sportradar US$125 million for the sports technology firm to acquire IMG Arena and its portfolio. The agency giant will also pay out US$100 million to certain sports rights holders, meaning it will part ways with US$225 million in total.
IMG Arena’s portfolio of global betting rights covers about 39,000 official data events and 30,000 streaming events. Its roster is made up of partnerships with over 70 rights holders, including three of tennis’ four Grand Slams, the PGA Tour, Major League Soccer (MLS) and Euroleague Basketball.
Sportradar said the acquisition would enhance its content and product offering, particularly for popular betting sports such as tennis, soccer and basketball.
“Given our proven track record of maximising return of investment (ROI) through our global betting rights deals and our strengthened position across tennis, basketball and soccer, we are confident in our ability to realise the full economic potential of this portfolio,” said Carsten Koerl, chief executive of Sportradar.
“In addition, the unique structure of this transaction accelerates our revenue and cash flow profile and will be immediately accretive to our margins. The addition of these strategic rights will unlock new growth opportunities, enabling us to deliver exceptional value to our partners, clients and shareholders.”
The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025 and remains subject to regulatory approvals.
Sportradar confirmed the IMG Arena acquisition at the same time it released its fourth quarter and full year financial results for 2024. The company saw its revenue for fiscal 2024 increase by 26 per cent year-over-year (YoY) to €1.11 billion (US$1.19 billion).
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) grew by 33 per cent YoY to €222 million (US$240.7 million), and the company declared a profit of €34 million (US$36.9 million) for the year. Sportradar said the profit was in line with the prior year.
For the fourth quarter, its revenue increased by 22 per cent YoY to €307 million (US$332.8 million), while it declared a €1 million (US$1.08 million) loss for the period.
Looking ahead to 2025, Sportradar is aiming to achieve revenue of at least €1.27 billion (US$1.37 billion), which would represent growth of at least 15 per cent YoY. It expects its adjusted Ebitda to be at least €281 million (US$304.6 million), an increase of 26 per cent YoY at minimum.
News of Sportradar’s move to bolster its data and betting business comes after Endeavor put IMG Arena, alongside its other sports data unit OpenBet, up for sale last August. IMG Arena was combined with OpenBet, after the latter company was bought by Endeavor for US$800 million in 2022.
In November, IMG Arena was set to be sold to OB Global Holdings, a company backed by Endeavor chief executive Ariel Emmanuel for US$450 million. However, the agency committed itself to marketing IMG Arena for sale to a third-party entity during the sign-to-close period.
The sale of IMG Arena comes as private equity firm Silver Lake prepares to take Endeavor private at an equity value of US$13 billion. Silver Lake, which initially bought a 31 per cent minority stake in the agency for US$250 million in 2012, is set to buy the entirety of the outstanding shares in Endeavor it does not already own, with the transaction expected to close by the end of Q1 2025.
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