The TPG platform Integrated Media Company (IMC) has signed a definitive agreement with the sports streaming service DAZN to buy a majority stake in the leading digital football brand Goal.
Under the terms of the partnership, Goal will enrich its coverage and additionally create digital opportunities enhancing the fan experience, advertiser proposition, and overall popularity of the game particularly in growth markets. IMC will also acquire the German and Dutch portals Spox and VoetbalZone as part of a new venture. Additional terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Commenting on the development, Ori Winitzer, MD, IMC, said: “There are four billion soccer fans on earth. Their passion transcends borders and limits though the media serving them does not.
“Goal has long been an innately global platform for the soccer fan, with a strong journalistic tradition and a brand that’s synonymous with the sport. We see a significant opportunity to expand the platform’s reach and engagement through new content verticals, products, and experiences. We’re excited to partner with DAZN to serve all constituents in the soccer world”.
James Rushton, acting CEO, DAZN Group, added: “We are thrilled to partner with IMC as we enter our next chapter of growth.
“As we saw with Goal’s Lionel Messi exclusive, our football portals business features the top digital football destinations in the world. The investment from IMC will enable it to reach new heights, whilst allowing DAZN to focus its energy and resources on further strengthening our sports destination platform.”
Across platforms the new venture counted nearly 150 million unique visitors as of August 2020. It offers news, scores, video and editorial content in 19 languages.
