INDUSTRY. European private equity firm Bridgepoint has reached an agreement to acquire Infront Sports & Media AG, taking 100 per cent of Infront's shares from Jacobs Holding AG, the Junkermann Group and Dr Martin Steinmeyer for an undisclosed sum.

In winter sports, Infront is the undisputed market leader in the area of media and marketing rights, representing six out of the seven Olympic winter sports federations, including FIS for skiing and the IIHF for ice hockey; in motor sports, it is the promoter of the FIM Superbike World Championship. In football, it is partner to international and national federations (e.g. the German Football Federation DFB), leagues (e.g. the Italian Lega Calcio) as well as clubs (e.g. A.C. Milan, FC Schalke O4, SV Werder Bremen). Infront is also one of the leading sports marketing organizations in China where it represents the Chinese Basketball Association - on league and national team level.

Infront holds a strong position in the global sports marketing industry representing more than 120 top sports rights holders and delivering 2,300 event days each year. In 2010, Infront generated revenues of over EUR 600 million and has more than 20 offices across Europe and Asia and a diversified rights portfolio in winter sports, football and summer sports. It is also a key player in media production handling some of the most complex sports events, including the FIFA World CupTM.

The global sports rights market is estimated to be worth USD 121 billion in 2011, with the global market for media and sponsorship rights representing USD 56 billion. Bridgepoint's experience in the sector includes its current investment via another fund in Dorna, the global rights holder to the FIM MotoGP Motorcycle World Championship, as well as a successful track record in TV production that includes All3Media in Great Britain, producer of Formula One in the UK and Marathon Group in France, respectively sold in 2006 and 2007.

Contributed by Infront Sports & Media
FIS news
07/09/2011