PARIS, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Lagardere Unlimited announced today the acquisition of Sporteam, a French based company that represents professional rugby players. Both founders, Jeremy Bouhy and Romain Collinet, are joining Lagardere Unlimited, the new division of Lagardere SCA, specialized in rights management and image marketing for athletes and artists in France and abroad.

Taking advantage of a strong international network, especially in South Africa and the United Kingdom, Sporteam recently achieved the transfers of Joe Van Niekerk (AFS) to the RC Toulon, of Ollie Phillips (ANG) to the Stade Francais Paris, of Ashwin Willemse (AFS) to the Biarritz Olympique and of Jason White (ECO) to the ASM Clermont.

Already a major player in the tennis field with the representation of athletes such as Andy Roddick, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Justine Henin and Fernando Gonzalez, Lagardere Unlimited creates a Rugby division and therefore anticipates the coming growth of this sport.

Lagardere is a pure media group (books, press, broadcast, digital, travel retail and press distribution, sports trading and sports rights), and is among the world leaders in the sector. Lagardere holds a 7.5% stake in EADS, over which it exercises joint control. Lagardere shares are listed on Euronext Paris.

SOURCE Lagardere Unlimited