Whistle Sports, THE leading sports-focused MCN (and a Manatt Digital Media client) just scored big -- very big -- as in $28 million big, for its just-announced Series B round. Two major international media companies joined the round as significant strategic investors -- BSKYB and Liberty Media (via its Liberty Global Ventures arm). BSKYB's individual investment is $7 million, joining lead investor Emil Capital Partners (an affiliate of Germany-based Tengelmann Group) which adds to the round's overall international flavor. Why relevant? Because sports obviously is (are?) universal -- truly global in terms of interest and potential reach. These massive new investors can accelerate that global reach -- which is smart, very smart (for all involved).Want more? Sports legends Peyton Manning and Derek Jeter -- both investors in the original $8 million Series A round -- also joined this one. That's a good sign -- one that need not be hidden from the bench.
Whistle Sports essentially bills itself as a new ESPN for millennials -- built for a digital-first/native audience in an increasingly digital-first, smartphone-driven world.
They've got a massive market opportunity (a global passionate audience willing to spend on all things sports). Great creative talent (include those "Dude Perfect" guys). Seasoned coaching (CEO John West, co-founder Jeff Urban, and #2 Brian Selander). A deep bench of executive talent. Impressive metrics (12 million subs who have viewed the videos of 225 channel partners over 2 billion times). And now a boatload of cash.
That's a winning combination in my book ...