Fanatics Moves to Acquire Sports Betting Company Tipico

Sports merchandising company Fanatics is reported to be in advanced negotiations to acquire sports betting company Tipico.

The news follows yesterday’s announcement that Fanatics’ executive chairman Michael Rubin is in the process of selling his sporting interests including his 10% share in Harris Blitzer Entertainment, the company that owns the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia 76ers.

In a statement released on Twitter, Rubin said:

With the launch of our trading cards and collectibles business earlier this year — which will have individual contracts with thousands of athletes globally — and a soon-to-launch sports betting operation, these new businesses will directly conflict with the ownership rules of sports leagues. Given these realities, I will sadly be selling my stake in the Sixers and shifting from part-owner back to life-long fan.”

“We can be the No. 1 player in the world in that business in 10 years. That does seem ambitious for someone who’s not in the business today, but our strategic advantages are that we are one of the best-known digital sports brands and we touch so many fans.”

The move to acquire Tipico looks set to be the latest in a string of deals to strengthen Fanatics’ position in the sports industry. In 2020, the company acquired WinCraft, a sports merchandise manufacturer. Then in early 2022, Fanatics paid $500 million for trading card company Topps.

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Jenny Tang

An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.