Media & Entertainment Acquisitions in Florida

Entrepreneur and investor Rob Gough purchased the Fireballs professional jai‑alai team from the World Jai‑Alai League (WJAL) in what the league described as the first perpetual (in‑perpetuity) franchise sale. WJAL said the move shifts its business model toward long‑term franchise ownership to attract sustained investment, deepen team brand equity, and support modernization of the sport and new revenue streams around live events and digital distribution.

Siyata Mobile Inc. completed its merger with Core Gaming, closing on October 3, 2025; the combined company was renamed Core AI Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the transaction Siyata issued shares to Core Gaming shareholders and Core Gaming will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of the combined company, with Aitan Zacharin as CEO and the new company to begin trading on Nasdaq under the ticker CHAI following a 1-for-4 reverse stock split. Core Gaming reported fiscal 2024 revenues of $79 million and the combined business will pursue an AI-driven expansion of its mobile gaming and broader software offerings.

Arctos announced the launch of Arctos Capital Markets (ACM) and said ACM successfully facilitated the sale of a controlling interest in the Tampa Bay Lightning to a newly formed investor group including Blue Owl Capital and private investors Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz. Jeff Vinik and Vinik Sports Group sold the stake while Vinik will retain control for a transition period.

Falcon's Beyond Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBYD) has acquired Oceaneering Entertainment Systems (OES), a division of Oceaneering International, purchasing OES's patented technologies, proprietary engineering and manufacturing processes and assuming the lease for a 106,000+ sq. ft. facility. Falcon's has hired key OES personnel, obtained an option to purchase certain inventory, and expects the deal to expand Falcon's capabilities and accelerate growth of its Attractions division.

Infinite Reality (iR), an immersive-technology and digital media company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Napster, the long-running music streaming service, for $207 million. iR plans to transform Napster into a social, immersive music platform that leverages XR, AI and iR's audience network to deepen artist–fan engagement and expand monetization opportunities.

WI FL Acquisition, LLC — a new entity formed by former majority owners Mark Bellissimo, Marsha Dammerman, Lisa Lourie, and Roger Smith — has completed the acquisition of Wellington International from Global Equestrian Group. The buyer group named Murray S. Kessler as CEO and said it will invest in the showgrounds and infrastructure to support the Winter Equestrian Festival and year-round events.

Victory Live has acquired Logitix from private equity owner ZMC. Logitix provides ticket inventory management, dynamic pricing and distribution technology for sports, live entertainment and resellers, and Victory Live intends to integrate Logitix to expand its ticketing platform, capabilities and global footprint.

Pole To Win (PTW) has acquired Florida-based game developer Ghostpunch Games in an all-cash $13 million deal to expand PTW's co-development capabilities and introduce AI-based QA automation offerings. Ghostpunch — founded in 2015 with over 60 employees and clients including EA, Gearbox, Bethesda and 2K — will operate as PTW Fort Lauderdale with several Ghostpunch leaders moving into PTW roles; the deal is expected to close in early September.

Nintendo has agreed to acquire 100% of Shiver Entertainment from Embracer Group, making the Miami-based studio a wholly owned subsidiary to bolster its porting and development capabilities. Shiver will continue focusing on porting and developing game software for multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch; the deal is expected to have only a minor effect on Nintendo's current fiscal year results.

WindowStill, a nationwide real estate media services provider headquartered in Eaton Rapids/Lansing, Michigan, has acquired Lifestyle Production Group, a Miami-based luxury real estate video production company. The acquisition adds high-end videography capabilities to WindowStill's offerings and expands its presence in the luxury real estate media market nationwide and internationally.

VENU+, a portfolio company of Z Capital Partners (ZCG), has acquired NXT Capture, an experiential photo and video capture solutions provider founded in Orlando in 2016. The deal is an add-on to VENU+'s guest solutions portfolio and aims to expand its entertainment and photo/video offerings across VENU+'s global venue customer base; financial terms were not disclosed.

The Futurum Group has agreed to acquire Techstrong Group, a Boca Raton–based tech media and analyst platform that publishes sites such as DevOps.com and Security Boulevard. The acquisition integrates Techstrong's media, events, lead-generation engines and distribution channels into Futurum's analyst, research and media offerings to expand capabilities and audience reach.

Merlin Entertainments has acquired The Wheel at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida, renaming the 400-foot observation attraction The Orlando Eye by Merlin Entertainments and integrating it into its Orlando cluster of attractions. The purchase furthers Merlin's Gateway strategy to build mega-clusters of branded attractions in leading tourist cities and expands its footprint in Central Florida alongside SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park.

K1 Speed, the world's largest indoor karting operator, has acquired Autobahn Holdings, LLC (Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events) as Praesidian Capital exited its investment. Autobahn is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida and operates eleven indoor go-karting and family-entertainment locations; the deal was a strategic add-on to expand K1 Speed's footprint in the family entertainment market.

Basic.Space, a curated digital marketplace, has acquired Design Miami/, the global forum for collectible 20th and 21st-century design, in an all-stock transaction. Design Miami/ will continue to operate independently with Jennifer Roberts remaining CEO; Jesse Lee (Basic.Space founder & CEO) will serve as chairman and Craig Robins will join the board as part of the deal. The acquisition aims to expand Design Miami/'s e-commerce strategy, collaborations, fair formats and geographic footprint while deepening Basic.Space's home and collectible design offerings.

AVFX, a Boston- and Denver-based audio visual production company backed by Harbor Beach Capital, has acquired Orlando-based AV Matters to expand its presence in the Southeast. The deal is the third acquisition under AVFX's partnership with Harbor Beach Capital and supports a strategy to build a national events production platform through selective add-ons and geographic expansion.

Better Collective has acquired South Florida–based sports and entertainment media platform Playmaker HQ for up to $54.0 million (including a $15.0 million upfront cash payment and performance-based earnouts). The acquisition expands Better Collective’s social media presence, content production capabilities and advertiser sponsorship monetization by adding Playmaker’s creator talent, large social following and U.S. distribution reach.

Sandow, the New York–based publishing group, has acquired online design platform Design Milk. The financial terms were not disclosed; Sandow said Design Milk's staff (including editor-in-chief Caroline Williamson) will remain in place and that the company plans to invest in the brand and focus on growing its digital audience and ad revenue.

Crew One Productions acquired the assets of Innercept Management Corporation, a provider of skilled temporary labor for concerts and large events in South and Central Florida. The acquisition expands Crew One’s event staffing capabilities and strengthens its footprint in the Florida live-events market.

Arc, a B2B events, data and media platform backed by funds managed by EagleTree Capital, has agreed to acquire the HR Technology and Education Technology portfolios from LRP Media Group. The deal expands Arc's U.S. footprint and adds nine brands and an experienced team to Arc's portfolio; terms were not disclosed and the transaction was expected to close at the end of October 2022.

Equine Network, a tech-enabled media and membership platform serving the equestrian industry, has acquired the Horse Radio Network, a long-running independent podcast network. The deal expands Equine Network’s podcast footprint (more than 30 podcasts combined) and gives smaller podcasters access to larger advertiser relationships and wider audience distribution.

Playmaker Capital Inc. acquired 100% of the digital assets of Double Decker Group, LLC dba World Soccer Talk to expand its North American soccer media footprint and add an affiliate-driven revenue asset. Consideration is up to US$1.15 million (US$350k cash at closing, 510,000 Playmaker common shares, and up to US$500k in earn-outs).

NewSpring Growth, the growth strategy of NewSpring, invested in Symphonic in partnership with Ballast Point Ventures as a growth capital round to support the music-technology distributor's platform and international expansion. Symphonic, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, provides digital music and video distribution, royalty collection and marketing services to artists and independent labels and will use the investment to scale its technology and global footprint.

GovExec has acquired News Service of Florida and will integrate the outlet into its City & State platform to launch City & State Florida. The transaction was completed with financial support from private equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners; terms were not disclosed and News Service of Florida will remain headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.

LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) has completed the acquisition of Palm Beach Records, a South Florida-based recording studio and label founded by Christian "Rekstarr" Ocampo. LiveOne will operate Palm Beach Records as a wholly-owned subsidiary and plans to expand the studio's music and podcast operations to sign and break new talent, produce exclusive content for members, and support local events in South Florida.

TAIT, the global live-entertainment engineering and fabrication group, has acquired ITEC Entertainment, a themed-entertainment design and technology firm headquartered in Orlando. The acquisition expands TAIT's capabilities and establishes a local presence in Orlando while ITEC's leadership team will remain with the business.

New York-based GSE Worldwide has acquired DEC Management, a Davie, Florida–based NFL sports agency led by David Canter. The acquisition strengthens GSE's NFL presence by adding Canter and DEC's roster of more than 50 NFL players; financial terms were not disclosed.

Fulcrum Capital Partners, alongside co-investors from its Fund VI limited partners, has made a growth investment in Creative Outdoor Advertising (COA), a provider of street furniture out‑of‑home advertising. The capital will support COA’s expansion across North America through new municipality partnerships and acquisitions.

Motorsport Games entered a binding term sheet to acquire mobile game developer Digital Tales USA LLC, the studio behind the SBK Official Mobile Game franchise. The deal (the target was reported as being sold by EleDa s.r.l) is intended to expand Motorsport Games' mobile development capabilities and add two‑wheel/racing mobile content to its product portfolio.

NEP Group has acquired VISTA Worldlink to expand its centralized (remote) production capabilities in the United States and globally. The acquisition brings VISTA's end-to-end workflows, transmission/connectivity and broadcast engineering expertise into NEP's US Broadcast Services business to accelerate delivery of large-scale centralized production solutions.

Searchlight Capital Partners and ForgeLight acquired an approximately 64% majority ownership interest in Univision Holdings, Inc., with Grupo Televisa retaining about 36% and converting warrants into common stock. Wade Davis (ForgeLight) becomes Univision CEO as the new owners plan to deepen engagement with U.S. Hispanic audiences, expand digital capabilities and accelerate content and advertising-product initiatives.

Clearlink, the digital marketing subsidiary of Sykes Enterprises, acquired Taylor Media Corporation, owner of personal finance site The Penny Hoarder, in an all-cash transaction valued at $102.5 million. The acquisition expands Clearlink's digital media portfolio and extends Sykes' reach into the broader financial services advertising market by adding The Penny Hoarder's audience, content expertise and advertiser relationships.

Canossa Events, an Italian organizer of classic and sports-car events, has acquired US-based Cavallino Inc., the publisher and organizer of the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic. The deal brings Cavallino’s long-running Ferrari-focused magazine and marquee US events into Canossa’s and the Motorsport Network’s ecosystem to support global expansion and new commercial opportunities.

North Equity, a venture equity firm, has acquired a portfolio of legacy media brands from Bonnier Corporation, including Popular Science, Saveur, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Popular Photography, Better You and Interesting Things. The deal expands North Equity's digital-media platform and creates new category verticals across food, specialty science/photography and outdoor/military audiences.

The E.W. Scripps Company will acquire ION Media from an entity controlled by Black Diamond Capital Management for $2.65 billion, creating a national television networks business by combining ION with Scripps’ Katz networks and Newsy. Berkshire Hathaway is providing $600 million of preferred equity to finance the transaction; the deal is expected to deliver substantial synergies and requires FCC and HSR approvals.

Groupe Solotech Inc. (Solotech) has acquired Pro Sound, Inc. — including its SEAL brand and affiliates Pro Sound CA, Inc. and Show Systems, Inc. — expanding Solotech’s systems-integration, live production and equipment capabilities across the United States. The deal brings Pro Sound’s Miami headquarters and offices in Orlando, Pensacola and Los Angeles into Solotech’s global footprint, reinforcing Solotech’s position in North American AV integration and live-event services.

Carmike Cinemas, Inc. acquired Muvico Entertainment, L.L.C. for $31.75 million in cash, in a transaction that closed on November 20 (announced January 2014). The acquisition adds nine Muvico complexes (147 screens) and expands Carmike’s theatre footprint and screen count across California, Florida and Illinois.