January 29 – Major League Soccer has sold its KICKTV digital-media assets to the online fans’ network Copa90, the League announced today.
The deal, whose terms were undisclosed “per MLS policy”, sees MLS retain an ownership stake in the football-media platform it launched in March 2012. Copa90 will, though, take control of the operation, running it from KICKTV’s offices in Manhattan.
It is understood MLS received a number of bids for KICKTV but approved Copa90’s acquisition on the strength of its record as a cross-platform specialist football network.
The deal places the UK-based Copa90 at the heart of the US game ahead of 2016, when the football world’s attention centres on the US for the centenary of the Copa América tournament.
Copa90 focuses on putting the fans at the heart of its football coverage and its intention is to expand this approach into its KICKTV output.
Tom Thirlwall, chief executive of Copa90, told Insideworldfootball: “We are the global football-video network for fans. And as Jock Stein said, without the fans, football is nothing.
“Throughout the MLS people are pioneering a new football-fan culture. It is already an incredibly vibrant scene and we can’t wait to become more closely involved on the ground.
“We’ll be heroing all that’s great about football – soccer – in the US and in every other country it’s played. This deal confirms our position as the premier football fans’ digital network in the world.”
Copa90 content has strategic brand partnerships with major football sponsors including Adidas, Nike, Coca-Cola, Hyundai and HTC, deals that the KICKTV ownership will complement.
“We have built a successful global soccer platform and we’re very proud of that,” said Gary Stevenson, President and Managing Director, MLS Business Ventures.
“This is the next step in KICKTV’s evolution. We are delighted to maintain an interest in the company and we will support its growth moving forward. We’re excited about KICKTV and Copa90.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734839591labto1734839591ofdlr1734839591owedi1734839591sni@o1734839591fni1734839591