Ringier AG and Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD) today announced the formation of a joint venture to bring sports closer to fans in Africa, a dynamic and emerging region in the global sports industry. Ringier will be the majority owner of the joint venture.
The joint venture combines Ringier’s media expertise with Sportradar’s sports data and product portfolio and builds on a long-standing relationship of collaboration and innovation between the two Swiss based companies. In the joint venture, Sportradar Group AG & Ringier AG are backing the pan-African media company Pulse, already part of the Ringier portfolio. The parties expect to close the transaction shortly, which is subject to satisfaction of standard conditions.
Pulse is Africa’s leading innovative media platform with mass media websites, offices, and teams in six key markets in Sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria and Ghana in Anglophone West Africa; Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire in Francophone West Africa and Kenya and Uganda in East Africa. Pulse’s mission to inform and engage Africa’s young population reaches millions of people across the continent monthly. Its media and marketing services enable best-in-class digital advertisement and consumer services on the continent.
Pulse has been building up a strong sports content offering across its websites and social media assets under the branding Pulse Sports, with an ambition to become the leading sports information provider for the digital audiences in its markets. This offering will further strengthen as part of the partnership between Ringier AG and Sportradar AG. In addition, the initiative will benefit from Ringier’s long-standing expertise in media and the African market and from Sportradar’s global sports data and entertainment capabilities in developing new consumer offerings.
Marc Walder, CEO Ringier AG: “Digital sports media is increasingly the place where sports enthusiasts & experts as well as advertisers meet. Ringier is highly committed to further invest into this attractive sports media segment and wants to become a top player globally. We feel honored that Sportradar, a company at the highest level of integrity, agreed to form a long-term strong partnership with us and develop new sports information and entertainment offerings in Africa.”
Carsten Koerl, CEO Sportradar Group AG: “The Ringier-Sportradar venture is a powerful combination, which brings together a leading media company and a leading sports technology company with the common vision to create engaging and interactive sports information and entertainment experiences for sports fans across Africa.”
Ringier AG recently founded the independently acting Ringier Sports Media Group. The Swiss-based company is responsible for the operational implementation of the ambitious sports media strategy of the Ringier group, currently including three sports brands in Eastern Europe: Sportal.bg in Bulgaria, Gazeta Sporturilor in Romania and Sportal.rs in Serbia, all powered by its proprietary Sportal365 technology, developed by Digital Ventures. In partnership with Sportradar, the Ringier Sports Media Group will now be entering Africa.
Leonard Stiegeler, Founder of Pulse: “The team at Pulse and I could not be more excited about the backing of Ringier and now Sportradar. Together, we will be able to fulfill Pulse’s vision as the leading innovative media company on the continent and continue to develop new, cutting-edge initiatives for our users and clients.“
Ringier AG, Corporate Communications
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About Ringier
Ringier is a Media- and Technology Company, Swiss by nature. The Group includes over 130 companies operating numerous leading media brands, digital platforms and marketplaces. Ringier addresses every walk of life and touches the lives of millions of people – every day around the globe in 19 countries. 73 percent of operating profit comes from the digital sector. This puts Ringier in the group of leading European media companies. The family-owned enterprise believes in entrepreneurship, collaboration, innovation, trust and courage for nearly 190 years. In a world that’s becoming ever more complex and challenging, Ringier`s mission is to keep interest alive and to ensure that customers, users or readers never lose sight of what connects them: We create interest in the world around you – and beyond. www.ringier.com
About Sportradar
Sportradar is the leading global sports technology company creating immersive experiences for sports fans and bettors. Established in 2001, the company is well-positioned at the intersection of the sports, media and betting industries, providing sports federations, news media, consumer platforms and sports betting operators with a range of solutions to help grow their business. Sportradar employs more than 3.000 full time employees in 20 countries, world-wide. It is our commitment to excellent service, quality and reliability that makes Sportradar the trusted partner of more than 1.700 customers in over 120 countries and an official partner of the NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, UEFA, FIFA, ICC and ITF. Sportradar covers over 890.000 events annually across 92 sports. With deep industry relationships, Sportradar is not just redefining the sports fan experience; it also safeguards sports through its Integrity Services offerings across the world. www.sportradar.com
About Pulse
Pulse is Africa’s leading innovative media company. Pulse’s mass media websites and social media channels reach millions of users monthly. Pulse TV is its innovative video producer, creating formats across all channels. The Pulse Network brings together top media assets & creators. Pulse Studio is its creative brand and content studio, supporting clients to express their own media vision. Pulse Marketing is its 360-degree digital marketing partner, providing comprehensive marketing solutions. Pulse Products is an offering to Pulse’s users that is enabled by its media brand, content and distribution. www.pulse.africa