PointsBet had set an initial deadline of Tuesday June 27th for any bids for its US business operations. With Fanatics submitting its bid just ahead of the deadline, DraftKings had no time to finalize a binding offer.
According to the PointsBet statement, the new bid is “superior in terms of both pricing and certainty of being able to complete on a timely basis.”
Fanatics Beats DraftKings to Acquisition of PointsBet's US Operations“The improved proposal delivers PointsBet shareholders a 50% or US$75 million increase to the acquisition price originally agreed with Fanatics Betting and Gaming. Following the receipt of a non-binding indicative offer for our US Business from DraftKings on 16 June 2023, the PointsBet team entered negotiations with both parties. The Board unanimously supports the improved proposal from Fanatics Betting and Gaming, which provides a superior price plus certainty.
Fanatics Betting and Gaming conducted their diligence process and negotiations in a highly professional manner at all times. The offer to “front end” the additional consideration is an element which we regarded as a welcome and significant benefit to our shareholders.
Subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, our US team will have a strong future as part of the Fanatics Betting and Gaming group and PointsBet will build on the opportunities in Australia and Canada underpinned by a strong balance sheet.”
The latest Fanatics bid will see payments made in two stages, $175 million at closing (up from $100 million in the original offer), and another $50 million due in February 2024.