Learfield Communications Sold

[TheBigA]

A private equity firm is about to buy Learfield Communications, the holder of college sports media rights:

Private Equity Firm Set To Purchase College Sports Media Giant Learfield.

College athletics media and technology company Learfield is on the verge of being purchased by private equity firm TPG, with sources estimating the price tag at between $1.8 billion and

www.insideradio.com

At one time, private equity companies would buy radio stations. Now they're buying content companies.

 

[ted chittenden]

While I was initially going to say something about equity companies getting involved in businesses they know nothing about, this deal appears to be the exception to the rule. Still, I would expect changes, not necessarily for the benefit of college sports fans, resulting from this takeover.

 

[radiofan2023]

A private equity firm is about to buy Learfield Communications, the holder of college sports media rights:

Private Equity Firm Set To Purchase College Sports Media Giant Learfield.

College athletics media and technology company Learfield is on the verge of being purchased by private equity firm TPG, with sources estimating the price tag at between $1.8 billion and

www.insideradio.com

At one time, private equity companies would buy radio stations. Now they're buying content companies.

Learfield is involved in radio, live video, audio and podcasts in terms of college sports:

Broadcast

Learn about broadcast solutions including live audio and video that amplify college sports and engage fans across platforms.

www.learfield.com

 

[Mark Roberts]

A private equity firm is about to buy Learfield Communications, the holder of college sports media rights:

At one time, private equity companies would buy radio stations. Now they're buying content companies.

Actually, it isn't the first time private equity bought into Learfield. When he retired, Clyde Lear (the founder) sold a controlling stake in the company to a private-equity firm in 2011, which sold it on to another private equity firm a couple of years later, with the IMG merger happening yet a few more years after that.

 

[PTBoardOp93]

When he retired, Clyde Lear (the founder) sold a controlling stake in the company to a private-equity firm in 2011,

For some reason I thought the News division was separated in this first transaction. But apparently Learfield still operate Brownfield Ag News, MissouriNet, Radio Iowa and a few others.

 

[Don CT]

Do any colleges go without Learfield. How were they able to corner the market.

 

[PTBoardOp93]

Do any colleges go without Learfield. How were they able to corner the market.

Yes. There are some notable large colleges that do not, like UCLA and Notre Dame. Those two use employ a Learfield competitor. There are also plenty of smaller colleges that do not use a rights partner at all. Those are probably small fish in a big pond, like Wagner College on Staten Island; or small fish in a small pond like Eastern Illinois in Charleston, IL.

Learfield established market dominance when they bought out their largest competitor, IMG College, in 2019.

 

[Don CT]

Yes. There are some notable large colleges that do not, like UCLA and Notre Dame. Those two use employ a Learfield competitor. There are also plenty of smaller colleges that do not use a rights partner at all. Those are probably small fish in a big pond, like Wagner College on Staten Island; or small fish in a small pond like Eastern Illinois in Charleston, IL.

Learfield established market dominance when they bought out their largest competitor, IMG College, in 2019.

Could the bigger schools make more money producing and owning their rights.

 

[PTBoardOp93]

Could the bigger schools make more money producing and owning their rights.

That question seems to answer itself. Schools would happily abandon Learfield if they thought Learfield wasn't getting them the best return.