Houlihan Lokey Advises Aser Ventures
Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that ELEVEN SPORTS (ELEVEN), a portfolio company of Aser Ventures (Aser), has acquired Team Whistle. ELEVEN is an award-winning media company dedicated to delivering the best international and domestic sports content to fans around the world across linear and digital platforms.
ELEVEN was founded in 2015 by leading Italian sports and media entrepreneur Andrea Radrizzani. ELEVEN’s rights portfolio in Europe and Asia includes the Champions League, Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, domestic rights to the Belgian Pro League, F1, NBA, and NFL, alongside thousands of hours of niche-premium and longtail live sports content. In 2020, ELEVEN launched its “ELEVEN 2.0” strategy and completed the acquisition of streaming platform MyCujoo. The acquisition of MyCujoo has laid the foundation for a new global ElevenSports.com platform, which is expected to launch in 2021 with a focus on niche-premium and longtail sports.
Team Whistle is a pioneer in the data-driven creation and distribution of positive and relatable content in sports and entertainment for young audiences globally. Team Whistle’s proven portfolio of unscripted, scripted, and interactive shows are available across its expansive social and AVOD media distribution network. The company’s video content IP and audience, combined with its powerful analytical, production, and commercial capabilities, serve to help brands, distributors, talent, sports leagues, and media companies activate and engage consumers across the content ecosystem.
The new combined company will house an extensive network of OTT and social platforms, proprietary streaming technology, data-driven production capabilities, as well as marketing and brand partnership services.
Aser Ventures is a global sports and media investment platform. In addition to ELEVEN, Aser’s portfolio consists of several media and sports properties, including Leeds United FC, LIVENow, Neo Studios, OneFootball, and Sports Data Labs. Aser first identified opportunities for synergies with Team Whistle three years ago and invested in Whistle in 2018 with Aser’s founder Andrea Radrizzani joining Whistle’s board of directors.
Houlihan Lokey served as the financial advisor to Aser Ventures in connection with the transaction. This deal further demonstrates Houlihan Lokey’s leading position in advising sports and digital media companies around the world.