Sports Illustrated Tickets is reported to be pursuing a deal to acquire online ticketing marketplace AnyTickets.
Bloomberg claims SI Tickets has approached lenders to provide up to $50m of capital to fund the deal, citing people familiar with the matter.
Events BSB Company LLC, which trades as AnyTickets, was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. It is described by president Marcus Stern as a “a ticket investment company” that collaborates with ticket brokers, venues, promoters, and artists.
“While we don’t comment on speculation, we are continuously evaluating opportunities to further grow and enhance our business,” SI Tickets chief executive David Lane told Bloomberg. The business news group said AnyTickets has not responded to a request for comment.
The AnyTickets proposition
On his LinkedIn profile, Events BSB president Stern outlined the company’s value proposition. He said: “Events BSB/AnyTickets is a ticket investment company. We look for opportunities within the live entertainment spectrum to invest in tickets. We are one of the largest inventory-holding brokers in the world. What does that mean? Stubhub is the largest secondary ticket broker in the world but Stubhub is mostly a marketplace. Ticket brokers and fans use Stubhub to post their tickets. Stubhub does not own the tickets that are listed on their site.
“AnyTickets works with other ticket brokers, venues, promoters, and artists by forming partnerships and revenue sharing opportunities. AnyTickets/Events BSB also caters to the end consumer on event tickets.”
SI Tickets launched in 2021 under CEO Lane, who previously held the same position at New York City-based ticket broker Lunatix. While initially focussed solely on the secondary market, SI Tickets has more recently signed primary agreements with rights-holders such as US Equestrian and American Flag Football League.
Ticketing, sports betting and other Sports Illustrated-branded services are run entirely separately to the flagship editorial operation. Each have their own independent agreements with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which owns the rights to the SI brand.
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