Blue Star Sports Launches New Youth Sports Content Initiative with the Acquisition of STACK
Accelerates Continued Global Expansion by Leading Sports Technology Provider, Adding Significant Content, Media and Sponsorship Assets
Company Brings on NFL as a Strategic Investment Partner
DALLAS, July 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Star Sports, the largest and fastest growing global provider of sports technology, today announced the acquisition of STACK as part of its efforts to launch a dedicated youth sports content initiative. The acquisition aligns with Blue Star Sports' global strategy, extending its market leadership to content and media offerings providing unique engagement and educational opportunities for its more than 45 million global users.
STACK is the leading content and media company serving athletes, coaches and sports parents with inspirational and educational video and article content, reaching millions of users each month through its website, STACK.com, and its various syndication partnerships.
The acquisition of STACK supports Blue Star's 'Connected Athlete' vision to allow athletes of all ages to have athletic profiles and access content and tools to boost their athletic development. The acquisition follows on the recent launch of Soccer Connect in partnership with U.S. Soccer, a data and technology platform that will streamline and improve U.S. Soccer's connectivity and communications with its membership.
Backed by Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, Providence Equity, and Genstar Capital, Blue Star Sports has enjoyed remarkable growth since its launch in April 2016, completing 14 acquisitions of market-leading software, content and player development companies to revolutionize the youth sports experience.
To further this effort, Blue Star Sports has secured a strategic investment from 32 Equity, the investment arm of the National Football League (NFL). The investment partnership will be used to fuel continued acquisitions in the sports technology space to enhance the youth sports experience, fostering and sustaining participation at every level through technology solutions and educational tools. The NFL will collaborate with Blue Star Sports on ways to enhance NFL Youth programs and support participation in the sport of football.
The combination of Blue Star Sports companies such as CaptainU, Student Sports, Krossover and STACK with industry leaders such as U.S. Soccer, USA Football and the Amateur Athletic Union offers unmatched access and distribution to the valuable teen athlete and their key influencers through a single access point combining membership tools, software, media, content and events. With the acquisition of STACK, Blue Star Sports will also begin producing original content and episodic shows for distribution across its leading youth sports content network and STACK's CEO, Nick Palazzo, will step into an executive role at Blue Star Sports as Chief Digital Officer.
"The vision for Blue Star Sports has always been to transform all aspects of youth sports through the entire value chain. Blue Star Sports now has every product for every sport at every level everywhere sports are played," said Rob Wechsler, Founder and CEO of Blue Star Sports. "Now with the acquisition of STACK and support of the NFL, we are positioned to further accelerate our growth and make an even bigger impact on the youth sports ecosystem with innovative technology solutions, content, media educational tools and in-person events focused on player development. We look forward to building upon STACK's leadership position in content and media and we are excited to have the NFL support us in achieving our vision."
"Our mission at STACK has always been to educate and inspire athletes on a grand scale. The opportunity to join industry visionary Rob Wechsler and the remarkable team at Blue Star Sports to extend our mission globally and engage its over 45 million members is a game-changer. There has never been a bigger opportunity in the youth sports space and we are honored to play a role in achieving the vision of Blue Star Sports while impacting millions more athletes, coaches and parents along the way," said Nick Palazzo.
"We are pleased to establish a strategic partnership with Blue Star Sports, which is in the unique position of having unprecedented reach across youth sports," said Kevin LaForce, Vice President of 32 Equity. "The company's relationship with USA Football and its dedication to youth sports will help increase participation at all levels and enhance the experience for young people and their families."
About Blue Star Sports
With over 45 million users in 32 countries, Blue Star Sports (BSS) is the global leader in youth sports management providing a complete innovative technology platform for national governing bodies, youth sports leagues, clubs and associations. Companies under the Blue Star Sports platform include Bonzi, Pointstreak, Goalline, PrimeTime Sports, SDI Camps, LeagueLineup, RaceWire, Bigfoot Hoops, Groupnet Solutions, Krossover, CaptainU, Student Sports and SportsTG. Blue Star Sports is headquartered in Frisco, Texas and backed by Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, Providence Equity and Genstar Capital. To learn more about how Blue Star Sports is revolutionizing youth sports management, please visit http://www.bluestarsports.com.
CONTACT: [email protected]
SOURCE Blue Star Sports
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