LOS ANGELES, CA --(Marketwired - October 06, 2016) - Vicente Capital Partners (VCP) announced today that its portfolio company, SMT (formerly, "SportsMEDIA Technology Corp."), a premier provider of sports broadcast, data and live event technology, completed the acquisition of Sportvision, Inc., a leader of digital sports content and broadcast enhancements.
This acquisition brings together two of the most respected sports and entertainment data and graphics companies who in combination have almost 50 years of industry experience. Sportvision is a leading innovator of digital sports content, broadcast enhancements and entertainment products for fans, media companies and marketers, having provided graphical and data services for over 20,000 broadcasts and events. The Sportvision acquisition expands SMT's technology offering with a product portfolio that includes 70 patents and is best known for its Emmy award-winning Virtual Yellow 1 st & Ten line; its MLB pitch and strike-zone tracking system called PITCH/fx; its NASCAR tracking and pointer system; and for providing data insights for player development, analytics, coaching and recruiting. In addition to better serving broadcasters and events, the expanded portfolio uniquely positions SMT to help sports teams and coaches with next-generation sports data and tracking technology, as well as sports fans with unique data and content for mobile.
Sportvision is SMT's second acquisition since the Company raised growth capital from Vicente Capital in 2010. In 2011, Vicente Capital sourced and helped SMT acquire IDS, a leading provider of live in-stadium, event scoring, statistics and display products to sports organization and high-end sports events such as the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, The Masters and Olympics. In addition, Vicente Capital sourced and tracked Sportvision for over two years prior to helping SMT acquire the Company. VCP also provided additional equity funding for the acquisition of Sportvision, along with Eldridge Industries and Gerard Hall, SMT's Founder and CEO.
"SMT's acquisition of Sportvision is a watershed moment for us," said CEO Gerard J. Hall. "Although we have been marketplace competitors for many years, SMT has always had a tremendous respect for the applied science, the cutting-edge technology, and the creative innovation that runs through the DNA of the Sportvision team. While other companies claim to have had a game-changing impact on how sports are presented, Sportvision enjoys an unparalleled and industrywide reputation for delivering actual game-changing solutions."
SMT board of directors member Kirk Brown will act as SMT's interim COO with express responsibility for managing the transition and integration process. Kirk was recruited to the SMT board by VCP and has 30 years of combined COO/CEO and accounting experience where, among other achievements, he led successful transition efforts of six acquired companies and the sale of four other companies including a successful transition and exit of a VCP portfolio company.
"We are thrilled about the acquisition of Sportvision by SMT," said Jay Ferguson, Managing Partner of Vicente Capital Partners and board member of SMT. "The businesses complement each other very well and increase SMT's advantage in graphics and data analytics for sports broadcasts and events by expanding its product portfolio and capabilities. Since VCP's initial investment in 2010, SMT's revenue has grown by 6x and the management team has added significant talent. We expect SMT to continue to create significant value for broadcasters, sporting event organizers and sports fans. We look forward to continuing to support SMT on the next phase of its growth."
About SMT Founded in 1989, SMT develops technology and data solutions that enrich the live sports and entertainment experience across the globe. Since SMT pioneered the first real-time scoring and wireless data system, the Company continues to provide broadcast television companies and live sporting events with real-time on-screen graphics, tickers, clock-and-score, virtual insertions and social media integration for sports and entertainment events. SMT has won 20 Emmy awards, 2 Telly Awards and 1 Davey Award since 1993 and its solutions have been used at the most prestigious live events including the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl, NBC Sunday Night Football, the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA Final Four, NBA on TNT, NASCAR and NHL. The Company also provides scoring and statistics systems and display boards and systems used at live events such as Wimbledon , the US Open , and The Masters. For more information, visit www.smt.com
About Sportvision Founded in 1998, Sportvision is a leading technology company adding entertainment and insight for sports fans, leagues and media companies. The Company uniquely collects and integrates digital records of events to create compelling and proprietary products and services for delivery across multiple media platforms. The Company has provided graphical services for over 20,000 broadcasts and events and provides major sports leagues and broadcasters with proprietary products such as Virtual Yellow 1st and Ten ® Line , K-Zone™ and NASCAR Race f/x ® , among others . Sportvision is a winner of 10 Emmy Awards and has long-standing relationships with blue-chip customers including ESPN, FOX Sports, NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, Microsoft and AOL.
About Vicente Capital Partners Vicente Capital Partners is a private equity firm specializing in both non-control and control investments in growth businesses that have annual revenues between $5 million and $30 million. The firm's investment professionals have a long and successful track record of partnering with management teams to create and realize value across a number of different industries including: Business Services (outsourced services, Internet services, telecom services); Consumer Services (healthcare services, residential delivery, education); and Specialty Manufacturing (aerospace & defense, environmental products, networking/telecom equipment). Prior investments include: Overture (acquired by Yahoo!), Rent.com (acquired by eBay), Unlimited Fiber Optics (acquired by Cogent Communications), Sensor Systems, Transoft Networks (acquired by HP), Alta Healthcare System (acquired by Prospect Medical Holdings), O 2 Science (acquired by Pacific Pulmonary Services), and iBwave Solutions, Inc. (acquired by Corning, Inc.), among others.
Investments in Vicente Capital Partners' current portfolio actively seeking add-on acquisitions include:
- CampusExplorer.com -- an online lead generation business that provides information to tens of thousands of students each day who research their college options on the web
- Global LT, Inc. -- a provider of language training, cultural training, and expatriate destination services that empower individuals to live and work successfully anywhere in the world
- Intellectual Technology, Inc. -- the leading provider of print-on-demand, self-serve kiosks, license plate software and other fulfillment solutions to the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles
- MedBridge Healthcare -- a leading provider of sleep diagnostic testing and respiratory therapy services, serving patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and other sleep disorders
- VXi -- a provider of best-in-class corded and wireless headset solutions designed specifically for call centers and other high-noise environments
For more information about Vicente Capital Partners, please visit www.vicentecapital.com .
Vicente Capital Partners T: + 1.310.826.2255
