Welcome to Sportico’s transactions wire, a weekly rundown of personnel, partnerships and products across the sports business industry.
PERSONNEL
NBPA Appoints Cameron Jones as CFO
The National Basketball Players Association has named Cameron Jones its chief financial officer. In this role, Jones will oversee all financial operations, strategic financial planning, Basketball Related Income (BRI) and overall analysis, to ensure the NBPA’s continued growth and stability. Jones joined the NBPA from Storyblocks, where he served in the same executive capacity. He’s also worked at BET Networks, The Washington Post, Megaphone (owned by Spotify) and National Public Radio (NPR).
SeventySix Capital Hires Former NBA Executive Andre Mazire
SeventySix Capital, an early-stage venture capital company, has hired Andre Mazire as director of business development and operations. Mazire joins SeventySix Capital after 15 years with NBA organizations, including the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers. At SeventySix Capital, Mazire will focus on portfolio growth and client acquisition.
BYB Extreme Enlists Jonathan Seigel as Senior Advisor
BYB Extreme Fighting Series has hired Jonathan Seigel to advise the company on impending growth and investor relations. Seigel has experience across private equity, structured credit and real estate. Most recently, Seigel worked alongside Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore on their investment in the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx professional basketball teams.
Gideon Cohen Joins Athletes First as Executive VP
Talent agency Athletes First has hired broadcasting agent Gideon Cohen as executive vice president of its new broadcasting and new media department. Will Petok joins Athletes First’s new department as vice president. Kayli Cutler will be the department’s third member as senior manager. Athletes First represents athletes, coaches, front-office personnel and media personalities.
Leah Ball Joins Blue Duck Media in Talent Producer Role
Leah Ball has joined production company Blue Duck Media as a talent producer. Ball was formerly a manager for talent bookings at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Bleacher Report.
PARTNERSHIPS
LG Becomes Cowboys’ Official TV/Display Partner
LG Electronics and the Dallas Cowboys have announced a multi-year sponsorship naming LG as “The Official TV Partner of the Dallas Cowboys” and “The Official Display Partner of the Dallas Cowboys.” LG’s Home Entertainment Division will also have digital advertising throughout AT&T Stadium for all preseason and regular season Cowboys games and other events including concerts, rodeos and motorsports shows. All AT&T Stadium premium suites will feature placement of LG OLED TVs. LG’s sports portfolio also includes deals with the New York Yankees, Tennessee Titans and the NCAA, mostly focused on technology integrations in stadiums and at-home viewership.
PrizePicks Signs Comedian Druski to Brand Partnership
Daily fantasy sports company PrizePicks has signed comedian and actor Drew “Druski” Desbordes as a brand ambassador. Druski and PrizePicks will collaborate on creating social skits, an original short-form series for YouTube and a co-branded line of merchandise. Additionally, Druski will participate in several brand events, such as the PrizePicks World Championship and social media takeovers on select football Sundays.
Corporate Traveler and Jacksonville Jaguars Enter Sponsorship Agreement
Corporate Traveler and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a multiyear partnership, in which the company will serve as the NFL team’s official travel management company, supporting the organization with all its travel needs throughout the year, whether it’s across the country or for games overseas. Corporate Traveler also assists the New York Mets, Houston Rockets and New York Islanders.
Agua Caliente Casinos Sponsors Vince Vaughn’s Pickleball Team
Agua Caliente Casinos has been named official presenting sponsor of the Coachella Valley Scorpions, who are owned by actor Vince Vaughn. Agua Caliente Casino host watch parties at 360 Sports locations, player and coach meet and greet opportunities and offseason mobile pickleball clinics. The Coachella Valley Scorpions official uniforms will include the Agua Caliente Casinos logo prominently printed on the back of each player’s jersey.
NIP Group Joins Esports-Themed Hotel Project
Digital entertainment and esports company NIP Group has entered into a seven-year partnership with BTG Homeinns Hotels Group to establish a joint venture focused on the development and operation of esports-themed hotels. NIP Group, which began public trading last month, will take the controlling stake to oversee investment, operations and management.
PRODUCTS
Patrick Mahomes Gives Texas Tech $5M for Football Upgrades
NFL star Patrick Mahomes has donated $5 million to his alma mater, Texas Tech, to assist the school’s fundraising efforts in a $242 million endeavor to upgrade its south end zone and football center. Texas Tech will name its soon-to-be-completed walkthrough area in the Womble Football Center in his name. The three-time Super Bowl champion will also be recognized by being the namesake for Texas Tech’s quarterback meeting room and the offensive coordinator’s office in the new South End Zone Building.
PURCHASES
TickPick Announces $250M Growth Investment From Brighton Park Capital
Brighton Park Capital has made a $250 million investment in TickPick, the ticket marketplace, to accelerate its growth and scale operations. Symphony Ventures, golfer Rory McIlroy’s investment partnership, has joined as a strategic investor, aiming to help TickPick expand to reach new audiences. As part of the transaction, private equity firm GreyLion has exited its position in TickPick after five years with the company.
SportAI Raises $1.8M Seed Round Led by Skyfall Ventures
SportAI, the B2B sports technology company using AI to aid player development through commentary and analysis, has raised $1.8 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by early-stage investor Skyfall Ventures. Magnus Carlsen, the highest-ranked chess player of all time, is a SportAI advisor and investor in its pre-seed round.
Home Run Dugout to Add Locations in San Antonio and Scottsdale
Home Run Dugout, which features indoor soft-toss baseball, is expanding to locations in San Antonio and Scottsdale, the company’s first location outside of Texas. The new Scottsdale and San Antonio venues will span more than 65,000 square-feet and feature 34 batting bays, a Biergarten Baseball mini-field, a full-service restaurant and three bars.
