PlayOn Acquires MaxPreps to Elevate the High School Sports Fan Experience
PlayOn, the premier fan engagement platform for high school sports, has announced the acquisition of MaxPreps from CBS Sports, a division of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA). The strategic acquisition combines PlayOn's ticketing, live streaming, and digital media capabilities with MaxPreps' scores, data, and analysis platform.
The merger aims to create a comprehensive high school sports ecosystem, offering fans access to schedules, rosters, scores, statistics, rankings, tickets, streams, and highlights. The integration will benefit student-athletes, coaches, parents, and recruiters by providing increased visibility and deeper insights.
The deal includes the transfer of current MaxPreps employees to PlayOn. The acquisition follows PlayOn's recent addition of VidSwap coaching tools and analytics. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, with Inner Circle Sports and LionTree Advisors serving as financial advisors to Paramount and PlayOn respectively.
PlayOn, la principale piattaforma di coinvolgimento dei fan per gli sport delle scuole superiori, ha annunciato l'acquisizione di MaxPreps da CBS Sports, una divisione di Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA). Questa acquisizione strategica combina le capacità di biglietteria, streaming live e media digitali di PlayOn con la piattaforma di punteggi, dati e analisi di MaxPreps.
La fusione mira a creare un ecosistema completo per gli sport delle scuole superiori, offrendo ai fan accesso a orari, rose, punteggi, statistiche, classifiche, biglietti, streaming e momenti salienti. L'integrazione porterà vantaggi a studenti-atleti, allenatori, genitori e reclutatori, fornendo maggiore visibilità e approfondimenti più dettagliati.
Il contratto prevede il trasferimento dei dipendenti attuali di MaxPreps a PlayOn. L'acquisizione segue l'aggiunta recente da parte di PlayOn degli strumenti di coaching e analisi di VidSwap. I termini finanziari della transazione non sono stati divulgati, con Inner Circle Sports e LionTree Advisors che fungono rispettivamente da consulenti finanziari per Paramount e PlayOn.
PlayOn, la principal plataforma de participación de aficionados para los deportes de secundaria, ha anunciado la adquisición de MaxPreps de CBS Sports, una división de Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA). Esta adquisición estratégica combina las capacidades de venta de entradas, transmisión en vivo y medios digitales de PlayOn con la plataforma de puntuaciones, datos y análisis de MaxPreps.
La fusión tiene como objetivo crear un ecosistema integral para los deportes de secundaria, ofreciendo a los aficionados acceso a horarios, plantillas, puntuaciones, estadísticas, clasificaciones, entradas, transmisiones y momentos destacados. La integración beneficiará a los estudiantes-atletas, entrenadores, padres y reclutadores al proporcionar mayor visibilidad y conocimientos más profundos.
El acuerdo incluye la transferencia de los empleados actuales de MaxPreps a PlayOn. La adquisición sigue la reciente adición de herramientas de coaching y análisis de VidSwap por parte de PlayOn. Los términos financieros de la transacción no fueron divulgados, siendo Inner Circle Sports y LionTree Advisors los asesores financieros de Paramount y PlayOn respectivamente.
PlayOn은 고등학교 스포츠를 위한 최고의 팬 참여 플랫폼으로, CBS Sports의 MaxPreps를 인수했다고 발표했습니다. CBS Sports는 Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA)의 한 부서입니다. 이번 전략적 인수는 PlayOn의 티켓팅, 라이브 스트리밍 및 디지털 미디어 기능과 MaxPreps의 점수, 데이터 및 분석 플랫폼을 결합합니다.
이번 합병은 팬들에게 일정, 명단, 점수, 통계, 순위, 티켓, 스트림 및 하이라이트에 대한 접근을 제공하는 포괄적인 고등학교 스포츠 생태계를 만드는 것을 목표로 합니다. 통합은 학생 운동선수, 코치, 부모 및 스카우터에게 더 많은 가시성과 깊이 있는 통찰력을 제공하여 혜택을 줄 것입니다.
이번 계약에는 현재 MaxPreps 직원의 PlayOn으로의 전환이 포함됩니다. 이번 인수는 PlayOn이 최근 VidSwap 코칭 도구 및 분석을 추가한 뒤 이루어졌습니다. 거래의 재무 조건은 공개되지 않았으며, Inner Circle Sports와 LionTree Advisors가 각각 Paramount와 PlayOn의 재무 자문 역할을 수행하고 있습니다.
PlayOn, la principale plateforme d'engagement des fans pour les sports de lycée, a annoncé l'acquisition de MaxPreps de CBS Sports, une division de Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA). Cette acquisition stratégique combine les capacités de billetterie, de streaming en direct et de médias numériques de PlayOn avec la plateforme de scores, de données et d'analyses de MaxPreps.
La fusion vise à créer un écosystème complet pour les sports de lycée, offrant aux fans un accès aux horaires, aux effectifs, aux scores, aux statistiques, aux classements, aux billets, aux flux et aux moments forts. L'intégration bénéficiera aux étudiants-athlètes, aux entraîneurs, aux parents et aux recruteurs en fournissant une visibilité accrue et des informations plus approfondies.
L'accord comprend le transfert des employés actuels de MaxPreps à PlayOn. L'acquisition fait suite à l'ajout récent par PlayOn des outils d'entraînement et d'analyse VidSwap. Les conditions financières de la transaction n'ont pas été divulguées, Inner Circle Sports et LionTree Advisors agissant respectivement comme conseillers financiers pour Paramount et PlayOn.
PlayOn, die führende Plattform für Fan-Engagement im Bereich der Schulsportarten, hat die Übernahme von MaxPreps von CBS Sports, einer Abteilung von Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA), angekündigt. Diese strategische Übernahme kombiniert PlayOns Ticketing-, Live-Streaming- und digitale Medienfähigkeiten mit der Plattform für Ergebnisse, Daten und Analysen von MaxPreps.
Das Ziel der Fusion ist es, ein umfassendes Ökosystem für Schulsportarten zu schaffen, das den Fans Zugang zu Zeitplänen, Kadern, Ergebnissen, Statistiken, Rankings, Tickets, Streams und Highlights bietet. Die Integration wird den Schülerathleten, Trainern, Eltern und Scouts zugutekommen, indem sie mehr Sichtbarkeit und tiefere Einblicke bietet.
Der Deal umfasst die Übertragung der aktuellen MaxPreps-Mitarbeiter zu PlayOn. Die Übernahme folgt auf PlayOns kürzliche Hinzufügung von VidSwap-Coaching-Tools und Analysen. Die finanziellen Bedingungen der Transaktion wurden nicht bekannt gegeben, wobei Inner Circle Sports und LionTree Advisors jeweils als Finanzberater für Paramount und PlayOn fungieren.
- Strategic expansion of PlayOn's digital sports platform through acquisition
- Integration of complementary services creating a comprehensive sports ecosystem
- Potential for increased revenue streams through combined ticketing and streaming services
- Acquisition of established brand and user base from MaxPreps
- Financial terms not disclosed, limiting assessment of transaction value
- Integration costs and potential operational challenges during merger
- Employee transition and retention risks
Insights
Paramount Global's divestiture of MaxPreps represents a strategic portfolio optimization move, though with undisclosed financial terms. This transaction aligns with the broader industry trend of large media conglomerates streamlining operations to focus on core assets in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
For Paramount, which faces significant debt challenges and streaming competition, selling non-core digital properties like MaxPreps - while likely a small revenue contributor relative to flagship properties - demonstrates management's commitment to operational efficiency and resource allocation toward primary growth drivers like Paramount+.
The buyer, PlayOn, gains significant strategic value by consolidating MaxPreps with its existing high school sports platforms (GoFan and NFHS Network), creating a more comprehensive ecosystem. For Paramount, this transaction likely generates immediate cash while eliminating a business unit requiring ongoing investment but offering synergies with its entertainment-focused strategy.
Without financial details, it's impossible to assess the direct balance sheet impact. However, the strategic rationale appears sound - Paramount is continuing to streamline operations while potentially securing capital that can be deployed toward debt reduction or content investment in its core streaming and traditional media businesses.
Acquisition Unites Two Premier Platforms to Create a Premium Experience for High School Athletes and Fans
MaxPreps joins the PlayOn family of brands, which includes GoFan and the NFHS Network. Combining PlayOn’s industry-leading ticketing, live streaming, and digital media capabilities with MaxPreps’ trusted scores, data, and analysis will create a premium experience for high school sports communities nationwide. Integrating these industry-leading products will increase visibility for student-athletes, improve fan coverage, and offer deeper insights for coaches, parents, and recruiters.
“The addition of MaxPreps into the PlayOn platform will transform the high school fan experience,” said B.J. Pilling, President, PlayOn. “This acquisition aligns with our mission to celebrate and support high school athletics by providing best-in-class technology, ticketing, media, and data services. Together, we will offer a comprehensive and engaging experience that more closely mirrors the collegiate sports landscape.”
Fans can look forward to a seamless service that makes it easy to stay up to date with their favorite teams and student-athletes, offering access to schedules, rosters, scores, statistics, rankings, tickets, streams, highlights, recaps, and more, while also enabling ticket purchases, game streaming, and reliving memorable moments through automated highlights and fan-generated clips.
Along with being a trusted resource for fans, MaxPreps is highly valuable for high school coaches who want to celebrate their student-athletes’ achievements and analyze their competition. The recent addition of VidSwap coaching tools and analytics to the PlayOn family of brands will fuel the automation of more statistics, highlights, and recaps to showcase on MaxPreps for the benefit of coaches, students, and fans.
“We are proud of the work by our incredible teams to build MaxPreps into one of America’s leading authorities on high school sports,” said Jeff Gerttula, Executive Vice President, CBS Head of Digital. “We are confident PlayOn will position MaxPreps for its next phase of growth and will continue to add value for millions of student-athletes and their loyal fanbases.”
“This is an exciting new chapter for PlayOn,” said David Rudolph, CEO, PlayOn. “By joining forces with MaxPreps, we can expand our impact and provide high school sports communities with a more dynamic and comprehensive experience. This collaboration will unlock new opportunities for storytelling, performance tracking, and fan engagement.”
The acquisition underscores PlayOn’s commitment to advancing high school athletics through cutting-edge digital services. Together, PlayOn and MaxPreps are committed to providing a unified solution that elevates the high school sports experience for everyone.
Current MaxPreps employees will become employees of PlayOn. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Inner Circle Sports acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Paramount. LionTree Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to PlayOn for this transaction. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP provided legal counsel for PlayOn.
For more information about PlayOn and MaxPreps, visit playonsports.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402431351/en/
Media Contact:
Peggy Blaze
Peggyb@bubbleagency.com
Source: PlayOn
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