partnerships
SharpLink Gaming to Acquire SportsHub Games Network to Accelerate Audience Growth, Fantasy Sports Conversion
SharpLink Gaming Ltd. (Nasdaq: SBET) (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), a pioneer of targeted, data-driven user engagement and conversion solutions for the U.S. sports betting and iGaming industries, today announced that it has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which it will acquire 100% of SportsHub Games Network, Inc. (“SportsHub”), an industry leading fantasy and sports game provider, in an all-stock transaction. Closing of the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including shareholder approval by SharpLink’s shareholders.
Founded in 2015 by a team of veteran fantasy sports industry insiders, SportsHub operates a variety of real-money fantasy sports and sports simulation games on its fully-licensed platform. The platform reaches more than 2 million fantasy sports fans who spend almost $40 million annually on its portfolio of games and contests, helping the Company generate nearly $6 million in annual revenues in 2021.
“This acquisition gives SharpLink access to a large and loyal base of fantasy sports fans who we know are also sports bettors, or would likely become sports bettors when legalized in states where they reside,” said Rob Phythian, Co-Founder and CEO of SharpLink. “With a thriving ecosystem of cash players, many of whom have money in their user accounts, we have a tremendous opportunity to seamlessly integrate compelling sportsbook offers within all aspects of the user experience.”
Continuing, Phythian noted, “While many of SportsHub’s fantasy players currently reside in states where sports betting has yet to be legalized; these players are primed to convert to bettors if these states become legal. In addition, the SportsHub platform is expected to serve as an invaluable proving ground for expanding our C4 technological capabilities to provide users with highly localized, single-point access to products and services beyond embedded personalized sports betting content, including direct access to fan merchandise, ticketing outlets, local business discounts and giveaways and other fan-centric goods and services available within each user’s personal fandom ecosystem.”
SportsHub’s platform currently includes:
- National Fantasy Championships, the premier operator of high stakes fantasy football, baseball and basketball contests with grand prize payouts as high as $250,000 and featuring the industry’s premier live draft experience in Las Vegas and New York;
- Bestball10s, the hugely popular season-long best ball league format;
- Fanball, one of the top daily fantasy sports destinations where users compete against similarly skilled players in draft, auction and salary cap style daily fantasy sports contests;
- Fantasy National Golf Club, a provider of world class data analysis and research tools for fantasy golf players and sports bettors;
- WhatIfSports, one of the leading sports simulation sites featuring online simulation games and predictions for MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA sports and more; and
- LeagueSafe, an online platform for private fantasy leagues to collect entry fees, provide transparency into league transactions, secure funds throughout the season, encourage timely payment of entry fees, and facilitate end-of-season payouts. LeagueSafe is the trusted source for collecting and protecting private fantasy league dues since 2008 and attracts over 150,000 paying users each year.
The proposed acquisition of SportsHub is key to SharpLink’s plan to accelerate and amplify its audience growth initiatives. By leveraging the SportsHub platform, the acquisition would enable SharpLink to have a proven “plug and play” solution to easily onboard potential future acquisitions in an efficient and scalable way.
“This accretive acquisition of SportsHub would serve to solidify the foundation on which SharpLink will continue to build demonstrable value of its game-changing C4 engine’s conversion capabilities for all sports media operators, leagues, teams and sportsbooks,” stated Phythian. “With a goal of significantly increasing the size and scope of the audience of sports fans we serve through our owned and operated network of gaming sites, coupled with the millions of fans we’re reaching through our customers’ online sports properties – including NASCAR, PGA Tour, NBA, Turner Sports and other major sports media sites – SharpLink expects to earn distinction as the industry’s preferred and proven source for high-performing conversion technology that delivers its customers with meaningful new revenue channels and greatly enhanced user experience and engagement.”
John Lettmann, Chairman of the Board of SportsHub, added, “We are excited about the combination of SportsHub and SharpLink. It represents a merger that we believe will create a significant opportunity for our companies as the U.S. sports betting industry evolves and matures. SharpLink’s leadership and expertise will help accelerate growth within our core fantasy sports and gaming products and allow us to become an industry leader in how sports media and gaming operators interface with sportsbooks to deliver value for all stakeholders.”
SportsHub is currently SharpLink’s largest shareholder, holding approximately 8.9 million shares of SharpLink’s Ordinary Shares. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, SBET will be required to distribute such shares to its stockholders effective as of immediately prior to the closing of the merger. Upon the closing of the merger, the stockholders of SportsHub will receive an aggregate of 3.67 million ordinary shares of SharpLink in exchange for all outstanding capital stock of SportsHub. All of the approximately 12.6 million SharpLink Ordinary Shares to be distributed or issued to the stockholders of SportsHub pursuant to the share distribution and the merger, as applicable, will be subject to a six-month lock-up period; thereafter, a percentage of the holder’s shares may be eligible for resale each month until no restriction exists. For more detailed information relating to the definitive merger agreement, please refer to the Form 6-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and found at www.sec.gov.
PlayVS, the leading amateur esports platform, announced the renewal of its groundbreaking partnership with NASCAR and iRacing, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the rapidly expanding eNASCAR College iRacing Series. This renewed collaboration will continue to bring high-octane, competitive virtual racing to college students across the country, providing unique career and scholarship opportunities through one of the most innovative programs in collegiate esports. This season will also mark the debut of PlayVS as the official league platform, following its recent acquisition of Playfly College Esports.
Launched in 2022, the eNASCAR College iRacing Series has quickly become one of the most engaging and inclusive collegiate esports competitions in the country. Powered by iRacing’s premier motorsport simulation platform and NASCAR’s deep racing heritage, the series gives full-time college students the opportunity to compete for scholarship prizes, develop real-world career skills, and gain exposure to professional motorsports and esports pathways.
The eNASCAR College iRacing Series has grown to over 300 schools and almost 500 unique racers. In April, the 2024-25 Series season concluded with Cal State Fullerton’s Logan Clampitt celebrating victory at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and earning $10,000 in scholarship prizes.
“Renewing our partnership with NASCAR and iRacing reflects our commitment to delivering competitive and meaningful esports experiences to college students across North America. The eNASCAR College iRacing Series is not just about virtual racing—it’s a launchpad for future talent in motorsports, gaming, and media,” said Charles O’Donnell, Sr. Director of College Esports at PlayVS.
Through iRacing’s hyper-realistic simulation software, students experience the thrill of authentic stock car racing while competing from their dorm rooms, esports arenas, or home setups. The upcoming 2025-26 season promises even more exciting races, new tracks, and increased prize opportunities.
“We’re proud to continue building the future of sim racing through our partnership with iRacing and PlayVS. The eNASCAR College iRacing Series is more than just competition—it’s a foundational bridge between the collegiate esports ecosystem and the world of NASCAR. As we enter the 2025–26 season, this partnership strengthens our commitment to developing young talent, expanding access, and inspiring the next generation of motorsports professionals,” said Ray Smith, Sr. Director of Esports at NASCAR.
Industry leaders agree new extension to data and streaming partnership that will see FIRST – Best in Sports turbo-charge global growth and boost annual revenues for Genius Sports
FIRST – Best in Sports, the Tier 1 provider of sports betting solutions, and Genius Sports, the leading sports data and technology company, today announce that they have extended their landmark partnership that will see Genius Sports continue to deliver its industry-leading betting data and streaming technology to FIRST – Best in Sports.
As part of the new agreement, FIRST – Best in Sports will distribute Genius Sports data and streaming content to its expanded B2B network and grow the data company’s volume, reach and annual revenues in a major way as it brings partners onstream in Latin America, with Brazil as a major focus.
- FIRST’s growth in Brazil and leading position as a LATAM-focused sportsbook solution will be further enhanced by Genius’s focus in South America.
- This includes coverage of Brazil’s Serie A, Serie B, Campeonato Paulista, Mexico’s Liga MX and the Primera Ligas in Uruguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Paraguay.
The deal extension is part of a comprehensive agreement between two companies that are setting industry standards for the speed, accuracy and depth of their online sports betting offerings. The new partnership also sees FIRST become the official betting partner of Genius Sports, with the group set to recommend FIRST – Best in Sports to operators seeking fully-managed sports betting solutions.
Tom Light, CEO of FIRST – Best in Sports, commented: “We have been working with Genius Sports for many years, and I am delighted to be extending and deepening our relationship with such an industry leader. FIRST – Best in Sports and Genius Sports represent the gold standard in their respective fields and the new agreement will enable us to continue growing revenues for Genius Sports as we launch new partners and expand our network. We look forward to providing the most complete and data-rich solution to sports betting operators in the world’s fastest-growing markets.”
EDGE Boost by EDGE Markets, a financial platform for smart bettors and gamblers, has partnered with World Series of Poker, the premier series of worldwide poker tournaments. The EDGE Boost debit card is now the preferred payment method for WSOP, offering ease of payment, safety, and several exclusive on-site perks for tournament players.
In past tournaments, WSOP players were limited to $10,000 per transaction and had to complete a lengthy approval process, often resulting in frequent cash deposits. Now, those using the EDGE Boost card through PayPal checkout can bypass traditional credit card verification. They can also make entries up to $250,000, which eliminates the need to carry large sums of cash at the event and increases security measures.
“Poker players competing at WSOP events typically face many roadblocks funding their entry at the casino and managing any payout. In the past, players had to bring multiple checks from different accounts which complicated the deposit process and led to security issues of players walking around with large cash rewards. EDGE Boost simplifies this entire process and makes it entirely digital. Now these players can focus on their game without worrying about these extra factors. This partnership lays the groundwork for the future of gaming,” said Seni Thomas, CEO and Founder of EDGE Markets.
This focus complements player safety and strengthens WSOP’s appeal as an attractive event for poker players globally.
“EDGE Boost is going to completely transform the WSOP experience. This partnership immediately enhances our brand and player experience through tangible benefits that make them feel safe and supported. Together, we are setting a new standard for how the rest of the gambling industry should operate. We also hope this improvement attracts more players to our events because of the frictionless financial process made possible by EDGE Boost, leading to a safer and easier-to-use system for all involved,” said Greg Chochon, Chief Operating Officer at WSOP.
“EDGE Boost gives players what we’ve needed for years – seamless access to our money, without hassle or judgment,” said Lexy Gavin-Mather, Professional Poker Player and Coach.
EDGE Boost is also sponsoring an exclusive lounge at the WSOP in Las Vegas through July 11. It offers EDGE Boost cardholders a private space with refreshments, Wi-Fi, and autograph sessions from poker champions like 17-time WSOP Bracelet Winner Phil Hellmuth and WSOP Main Event Champion Jamie Gold.
“EDGE Boost is more than a card; it’s a tech revolution for gaming. Instant access, ironclad security, and flawless control – all designed to let you play your game,” Hellmuth said.
“If you’re still traveling with cash, wiring money, or dealing with silly limits you’re way behind. EDGE Boost is a literal game changer! It’s a Visa debit card built for serious players who want control over their bankrolls. It saves me so much time and keeps me safe! No brainer to sign up ASAP,” Gold said.
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