Media & Entertainment Acquisitions in Texas

Prep Network, a youth sports media and events platform headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, has acquired Coast 2 Coast Preps, a Dallas-based leader in middle school basketball events and coverage. The deal expands Prep Network's basketball ecosystem by creating a unified pathway from middle school to high school athletics and adds scale to its events and content offerings.

Collectors, the parent company of PSA, has acquired Beckett Collectibles (Beckett Media) from Collēctīvus/Collectivus Holdings. The deal consolidates major grading, authentication and collectibles data assets under Collectors to expand grading, authentication and marketplace capabilities in the collectibles market.

Easyfairs has acquired the Energy Projects Conference & Expo (EPC), marking its first acquisition in North America and supporting its expansion into the US energy events market. EPC, founded by Josh Bull, is a fast-growing energy projects tradeshow focused on LNG export, power generation, petrochemicals & refining, midstream and alternative energies.

GENDA Inc., a Tokyo-based entertainment operator, has acquired Barberio Entertainment Company, a San Antonio-based provider of amusement facility services. The acquisition is part of GENDA's roll-up strategy to expand its geographic footprint and increase sales and profit contributions in North America.

Clair Global Group has acquired Houston-based LD Systems effective January 1, 2025. LD Systems provides audio, video and lighting production and installed systems for large-scale events and venues; the acquisition strengthens Clair Global's service capabilities and regional footprint in live event production and systems integration.

Carpenter Media Group has acquired M. Roberts Media, a family-owned Texas publisher that owns seven newspapers and multiple magazines and marketing businesses serving South and East Texas. The deal transfers control of titles including the Victoria Advocate, Longview News-Journal and Tyler Morning Telegraph to Carpenter as it expands its community-news footprint; terms were not disclosed.

Teton Ridge has acquired The Cowboy Channel, the Cowgirl Channel and The Cowboy Channel+ from Rural Media Group, making Teton Ridge the largest rights holder in Western sports. The deal includes an exclusive licensing agreement with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and retains existing distribution agreements across cable, satellite and streaming platforms.

Fastbreak.ai, an AI-driven sports scheduling and logistics SaaS provider, has acquired SEQL, a youth sports impact company that connects student-athletes with brands, leagues, and cities. SEQL will be rebranded as Fastbreak Connect and its co-founders will join Fastbreak's leadership as the combined business expands Fastbreak.ai’s capabilities in brand engagement and social-impact programs for youth sports.

Energy executives Eric Mullins and Milton Carroll have purchased the rights to a location-based BIG3 franchise and will base the team in Houston for the 2025 season. The deal represents an expansion of the BIG3 league into a Houston home market; the announcement was made by the league and its co-founders Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema; terms were not disclosed. Alamo CEO Michael Kustermann will remain in place and lead SPE's new experiences division, and Alamo will continue to operate 35 cinemas (including Fantastic Fest) with headquarters in Austin, Texas. The seller group included Altamont Capital Partners, Fortress Investment Group and founder Tim League.

Experience Pinnacle Live, a premium event experience and technology company, has acquired Falcon Events, a hybrid event production and platform services provider headquartered in Irving, Texas. The deal expands Pinnacle Live's production and digital platform capabilities to deliver integrated live and virtual event experiences; terms were not disclosed.

Pittco Management, the single-family office of Joseph R. "Pitt" Hyde III, has made an equity investment in Frisco, Texas-based media and entertainment company Dude Perfect through a special purpose entity formed and managed by Highmount Capital Management. The capital is intended to support Dude Perfect’s next phase of growth across its digital content, brand partnerships and live entertainment business lines.

Capitala Group announced a successful exit from its investment in Jurassic Quest Holdings, LLC, a traveling family event business based outside Houston, Texas. Capitala first invested in May 2019 and said the partnership helped advance Jurassic Quest's growth; the press release did not disclose the buyer or transaction terms.

Equine Network, LLC has purchased The Patriot, a series of team ropings, barrel races, youth rodeo competitions and a premier junior horse sale, expanding its Western Sports Group event portfolio. Equine Network said it will integrate The Patriot into its data management and membership platform to drive growth and enhance event management and participant services.

LEARFIELD closed a comprehensive deleveraging and recapitalization transaction that reduced its outstanding debt by over $600 million and secured $150 million of new equity. The company's majority ownership is now comprised of lead capital providers Clearlake Capital Group, Charlesbank Capital Partners, and funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, strengthening LEARFIELD’s balance sheet and funding continued growth across its media and technology businesses serving college athletics.

Aramedia Group, the Austin-based media and digital marketing company behind the SHOWSIGHT brand, was sold to a private investor in a transaction that closed June 12, 2023. Generational Equity advised Aramedia on the sale; the investor was selected to provide growth resources and initiatives to expand the company's digital and marketing offerings.

Invincible Entertainment Partners, a Philadelphia-based production and distribution company, has acquired YTA Broadcast Network (formerly Youtoo America) to expand its FAST and streaming footprint. The deal brings YTA's traditional broadcast and cable reach into Invincible's portfolio of 18 owned FAST channels and aims to broaden distribution and advertising opportunities; financial terms were not disclosed.

Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. acquired Outplayed, Inc., the owner of U.GG, for approximately $45 million in cash and stock plus up to $12 million in earnouts. The acquisition brings U.GG's ~8 million monthly active League of Legends users and data-driven analytics capabilities into Enthusiast Gaming's media and esports platform to expand its reach in the League of Legends community.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bluepoint Games, a long-time PlayStation partner known for high-quality remasters and remakes. Bluepoint, based in Austin, Texas, will join PlayStation Studios and continue operating under its current management; financial terms were not disclosed.

Callaway Golf Company and Topgolf International have completed their previously announced merger to form a combined, tech-enabled golf and entertainment leader. Under the terms of the deal Callaway issued approximately 90 million shares to Topgolf shareholders; immediately post-close Callaway shareholders owned ~51.3% and former Topgolf shareholders owned ~48.7% of the combined company, which is headquartered in Carlsbad, California with Topgolf operations based in Dallas, Texas.

Five Legged Stool LLC, the owner/operator of Arkansas Business Publishing Group, has acquired the niche magazines and ancillary marketing products of Scott Publishing LLC, publisher of 360 West and several other regional titles. The acquisition brings the Fort Worth-based publications into ABPG's portfolio as the buyer plans to continue the titles and expand products, events and marketing solutions for advertisers and readers in Tarrant County.

The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) has acquired the Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show from Chemicals America (produced by Tom Leahy). SOCMA will assume ownership of the trade show and plans to run the 2021 Specialty & Custom Chemicals event in Fort Worth, Texas as part of its strategic effort to reconnect the specialty chemical supply chain and provide commercial growth opportunities for members.

RedBird Capital Partners will invest US$80 million for a 24.2% preferred equity stake in Main Event Entertainment, valuing the business at an implied enterprise value of US$424 million. The transaction provides Main Event with near-term financial flexibility and a strategic partner to support U.S. growth; RedBird also holds an option to acquire an additional 26.8% interest from Ardent Leisure between July 2022 and July 2024.

L2 Capital Partners has acquired Jurassic Quest Holdings, a leading family entertainment company that produces large-scale interactive dinosaur-themed touring events. Capitala Group provided senior secured debt and co-invested to support the transaction; Jurassic Quest is based outside Houston, Texas, employs roughly 100 full-time staff, and attracts over 1 million attendees annually. Terms were not disclosed.

GSRX Industries Inc. purchased units representing membership interests in Buzznog, LLC, taking an equity position in the direct-to-fan social engagement platform. The investment is intended to support Buzznog’s growth as it expands artist access, fan engagement and its branded mobile app offerings.

Riomar Capital acquired HousingWire in a recapitalization announced May 4, 2016. The investment positions Riomar to expand HousingWire’s media, audience, data and analytics capabilities across the mortgage and related B2B markets while key founders remain in advisory and leadership roles.