Perform has bought Press Association Sport’s 33-per-cent shareholding, giving it a 66-per-cent stake in the company. It also has an option of buying out the remaining third of the company.
The combined Sportal and Perform business will look to offer an enhanced range of internet and mobile video content, and provide services to all regional sports rights holders and media distributors. Perform recently signed a deal to become the exclusive online broadcaster of US Major League Soccer.
“Several of our senior management worked with the Sportal team 10 years ago. What they have achieved in that period is exceptional and the timing is right to join forces and really push the Australian and New Zealand digital sports market forward,” said Simon Denyer, Joint CEO of Perform.
“There are many similarities between our businesses and together we can deliver greatly enhanced revenues to Australian rights holders, new audiences for Australian advertisers and most importantly a range of services that we both think the sports fans in the market are ready for.”
Sportal Australia has been operating on a standalone basis under the management of its founders since 2001, since which the company has developed a client list including Cricket Australia, NRL, PGA of Australia, Golf Australia, Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Vodafone, Optus and its own flagship portal Sportal.com.au.
Sportal will continue to operate and service its clients with its current team and with no change to its management.
