News Wiggin advises Perform Group plc on the acquisition of RunningBall

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Wiggin LLP, one of the UK’s leading media law firms, advised Perform Group plc, a global leader in digital sports media, on the acquisition of RunningBall Holding AG, a leading real-time sports data provider, in a deal worth up to €120m (£95m).

Under the terms of the deal, Perform will pay a minimum of €101m and a maximum of €120m, making it the largest and most significant deal in Perform’s history. The transaction is in line with Perform’s strategy to supplement its organic growth with complementary acquisitions and is expected to enhance its other business offerings including Goal.com, Soccerway.com, Spox.com, Sportal.com.au, Watch&Trade and Watch&Bet.

Perform joint chief executive, Oliver Slipper said of the deal, “RunningBall is a perfect fit for Perform – it is a high quality, high growth and high margin business whose unrivalled real time data offers us significant opportunities to accelerate our development.

“We are really excited about this transaction which adds the best sports data to our existing live video, video on demand and editorial content portfolio, enabling Perform to offer both businesses and consumers a complete digital sports offering.”

The Wiggin team was led by partner Michael Brader, a sports and media corporate specialist. Last year he co-advised with Freshfields Perform Group on its IPO on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and on the company’s acquisitions of goal.com, the world’s largest football website, Spox Media GmbH, mediasports digital GmbH and Watch&Trade. He has previously advised the company on its acquisition of sportal.com and Global Sports Media.

Commenting on the deal, Michael Brader said, “This is the latest and most significant acquisition on which we have advised Perform. We look forward to continuing to work with the company as it further builds on its already strong organic growth through strategic deals such as this.”