The sports media and broadcasting industry in Europe plays a critical role in shaping the way fans experience their favorite sports. This dynamic industry includes television networks, streaming platforms, digital media companies, and sports marketing agencies that create and distribute content ranging from live events to in-depth analysis. As technology advances, the industry is witnessing a shift towards subscription-based models and on-demand viewing. Companies are innovating quickly to capture younger audiences and leverage social media for fan engagement. Insights show that esports is rapidly growing, and investments in this sector are becoming increasingly prominent within the media landscape.

The list showcases a blend of investors, including corporate giants like Liberty Global and venture capital firms such as Kima Ventures. Based in key cities like London and Stockholm, these investors vary in size, managing organizations from small teams to those with over 10,000 employees. Over the course of 2024, they completed numerous deals, emphasizing their active role in the sports media and broadcasting scene. Established over decades, their collective expertise drives innovation and growth in this vibrant industry, highlighting substantial contributions to technology and content development.

Top 13 Sports Media and Broadcasting Investors in Europe

1. Liberty Global

• Website: libertyglobal.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2005
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: liberty-global

Liberty Global Ltd. is a telecommunications company based in London, England, that provides a range of services including gigabit broadband, 5G mobile services, and entertainment platforms. Founded in 2005, the company operates across multiple European countries, leveraging its extensive network infrastructure to serve both consumers and businesses. As an investor, Liberty Global has made significant moves in the sports media and broadcasting sector. They invested in COPA90, a prominent media company that focuses on football culture, which highlights their interest in sports content. Additionally, their acquisition of TV3, Ireland's leading commercial broadcaster, for €80 million, underscores their commitment to expanding their media presence, potentially including sports programming. Furthermore, their investment in Frequency Networks, which aims to integrate web video into cable boxes, indicates a forward-thinking approach to media consumption that could encompass sports content. Overall, Liberty Global's investments reflect a strategic interest in the sports media landscape.

2. Bauer Media Group

• Website: bauermedia.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
• Founded year: 1875
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: bauer-media-group

Bauer Media Group is a prominent media company based in Hamburg, Germany, specializing in publishing and audio broadcasting. Founded in 1875, the company has grown to serve millions of consumers and businesses across Europe with a diverse range of products, including magazines, digital content, and radio stations. In recent years, Bauer Media has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its audio broadcasting portfolio, including the acquisition of iRadio, a leading youth music station in Ireland, and Beat 102-103, a regional youth music station in Ireland. These acquisitions reflect Bauer's commitment to expanding its reach in the audio market, which often includes sports programming, thereby enriching its content offerings and engaging a younger demographic. The company's focus on audio broadcasting positions it as a relevant player in the sports media landscape, as radio remains a vital medium for sports coverage and commentary.

3. Better Collective

• Website: bettercollective.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Founded year: 2001
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: better-collective

Better Collective is a Copenhagen-based digital media company founded in 2001, specializing in sports and esports content. The company operates a portfolio of media brands that engage sports fans and bettors through various content formats, focusing on performance-based marketing and community building. In 2023, Better Collective made significant strides in the sports media sector by acquiring Playmaker Capital for $188 million, which aims to enhance their media capabilities and expand their audience. Additionally, they acquired Playmaker for $54 million, Torcedores.com for an undisclosed amount, and Tipsbladet for approximately $6.9 million. These transactions reflect Better Collective's commitment to strengthening its position in the sports media and broadcasting landscape.

4. Kima Ventures

• Website: kimaventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 50
• LinkedIn: kima-ventures

Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, backing two startups per week with financial support and mentorship. Among their notable transactions, Kima Ventures has invested in ScorePlay, a Lisbon-based B2B sports-tech SaaS company, which closed over €500,000 in pre-seed funding. Additionally, they participated in the pre-seed funding round for Sorare, creators of the first blockchain-based football game, which raised over €500k. These investments highlight Kima Ventures' interest in the sports media and broadcasting landscape, particularly in technology-driven solutions that enhance the sports experience.

5. Crowdcube

• Website: crowdcube.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the sports media and broadcasting context, including Homefans, which raised $266,715 in equity crowdfunding, and Playfinder, which raised $9,061. These investments indicate Crowdcube's engagement with companies that enhance sports participation and community engagement, aligning with the interests of the sports media and broadcasting sector.

6. Sky

• Website: sky.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1989
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: sky

Sky Group Limited is a media and telecommunications company based in the United Kingdom, founded in 1989. It offers a wide range of services, including satellite television, broadband, and mobile communications, serving both consumers and businesses across Europe. Sky has made notable investments in the sports media sector, including participation in funding rounds for fuboTV, a streaming sports startup, where they contributed to Series C and Series D funding rounds. These investments, totaling over $100 million, indicate their strategic focus on enhancing sports content delivery. Additionally, Sky's acquisition of Sky Deutschland for $2.9 billion in 2014 further solidifies their position in the sports broadcasting industry, allowing them to expand their reach and offerings in sports media.

7. Almi

• Website: almi.se
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 1994
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises. Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses by offering tailored financial solutions and guidance. Among their notable transactions, Almi has invested in several companies relevant to the sports media and broadcasting industry, including Sportswik AB, which focuses on sports analytics, Spiideo, known for its video analysis technology for sports, Playmaker, which operates in the sports content space, and Videquus, which provides video solutions. These investments highlight Almi's engagement in the sports sector, making them a relevant player in the sports media and broadcasting landscape.

8. Wpp

• Website: wpp.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1985
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: wpp

WPP plc is a leading advertising and communications company based in London, England, founded in 1985. The firm provides a wide range of services including advertising, public relations, media buying, and market research. WPP serves various industries, helping businesses enhance their brand visibility and connect with consumers through innovative marketing strategies. Notably, WPP has made significant investments in the sports media and broadcasting sector, acquiring a majority stake in Two Circles, a prominent sports marketing agency, on May 19, 2015. This acquisition underscores WPP's commitment to the sports industry. Additionally, WPP acquired Global Sportnet in 2002 and Prism Sport + Entertainment in 1999, further solidifying its presence in sports marketing and media. These strategic moves reflect WPP's focus on leveraging sports to enhance brand engagement and visibility.

9. Cvc

• Website: cvc.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Luxembourg
• Founded year: 2005
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 16
• LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm founded in 2005, based in Luxembourg, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, focusing on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. CVC has a notable presence in the sports media and broadcasting sector, having acquired Dorna Sports, a key player in motorsport media rights, and invested heavily in Liga de Futbol Profesional, which oversees the broadcasting rights for Spanish football. Additionally, CVC's investment in Six Nations Rugby highlights its commitment to enhancing the value of sports properties through strategic funding. These transactions underscore CVC's role as a significant investor in the sports media landscape.

10. Index Ventures

• Website: indexventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1996
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 67
• LinkedIn: index-ventures

Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, England. The firm invests in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare, providing capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. They focus on building long-term partnerships with founders to drive success. Notably, Index Ventures has made significant investments in the sports media context, particularly with Viagogo, an online ticket reseller. They participated in multiple funding rounds for Viagogo, including a $30 million Series C round in 2007 and a $15 million Series D round in 2009, highlighting their commitment to supporting businesses that operate within the sports and entertainment ticketing space. This involvement positions Index Ventures as a relevant player in the sports media and broadcasting investment landscape.

11. EQT Group

• Website: eqtgroup.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 1994
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 30
• LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across various sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the sports media and broadcasting sector, including a venture round investment in Sportradar, a leading provider of sports data and analytics, in both 2012 and 2014. They also invested in Sportfive, a key player in sports marketing, and made a strategic investment in United Talent Agency (UTA) in 2022, which focuses on talent representation in sports and entertainment. These transactions highlight EQT's commitment to the sports media landscape and their strategic approach to investing in companies that operate at the intersection of sports and media.

12. Stats Perform

• Website: statsperform.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1981
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: stats-perform

Stats Perform is a corporate investor based in London, England, specializing in sports data and analytics. Founded in 1981, the company has established itself as a leader in AI-driven analytics and data collection for the sports industry. They provide a range of services, including data feeds, predictive analytics, and performance analysis, which are essential for media outlets, sports teams, and betting services. Notably, Stats Perform has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its presence in the sports media landscape. In 2011, they acquired Goal.com, the world's largest football portal, significantly boosting their reach to over 95 million users monthly. In 2019, they acquired Perform Group, further consolidating their media capabilities. Other notable transactions include the acquisition of the Dutch sports website Voetbalzone in 2013 and a majority stake in the Turkish digital sports media company Mackolik in 2012. These transactions highlight Stats Perform's commitment to enhancing audience engagement and operational success in the sports media sector.

13. Axel Springer

• Website: axelspringer.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 1946
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: axel-springer-se

Axel Springer SE is a prominent media company based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1946. It specializes in publishing news and digital media, operating a diverse portfolio of brands, including BILD and Business Insider. The company is committed to independent journalism and leveraging technology to enhance its media offerings. Notably, Axel Springer has made significant investments in the sports media sector, including the acquisition of Transfermarkt.de in 2008, a leading platform for football statistics and player information. This acquisition highlights their engagement in sports media. Additionally, Axel Springer has participated in funding rounds for Group Nine Media, which, while not exclusively focused on sports, operates various media brands that may include sports content. Their investment in GRB Studios further demonstrates their commitment to expanding their media reach, although GRB Studios is not specifically a sports media entity. Overall, Axel Springer is a corporate investor with a diverse media portfolio, including notable interests in sports media.

Sports Media and Broadcasting Insights: Key Investors in Europe

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
Liberty Global	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	10001+	2005	7
Bauer Media Group	Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany	10001+	1875	2
Better Collective	Copenhagen, Denmark	1001-5000	2001	1
Kima Ventures	Paris, Île-De-France, France	1-10	2010	50
Crowdcube	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	2010	3
Sky	United Kingdom (UK)	10001+	1989	2
Almi	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	201-500	1994	7
Wpp	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	10001+	1985	2
Cvc	Luxembourg	1001-5000	2005	16
Index Ventures	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	1996	67
EQT Group	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	1001-5000	1994	30
Stats Perform	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	1001-5000	1981	1
Axel Springer	Berlin, Berlin, Germany	10001+	1946	1

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