GTCR, a Chicago-based private equity firm, has partnered with Gary Swidler, a consumer technology executive, to form Ascent Sports Group, a new technology platform reportedly designed to “improve experiences for athletes, families, coaches, teams, leagues, and venue owners across youth and amateur sports.”
“GTCR is partnering with Swidler to pursue opportunities in a large, fragmented market where constituents often rely on multiple, disconnected solutions to participate in, follow and engage with sports,” the company said in a media release. “Ascent Sports Group will focus on investing in products and services that simplify these experiences, improve accessibility, and better connect sports communities through technology.”
Swidler will serve as CEO of Ascent Sports Group and work closely with GTCR to identify, partner with and build companies that “enhance how youth and amateur sports are played, watched and shared.”
Swidler spent nearly a decade at Match Group, a provider of digital dating services that includes apps and websites such as Tinder, Hinge, Match, OkCupid and PlentyOfFish. At Match Group, he served as chief financial officer, chief operating officer and president. During his tenure, the company expanded globally and scaled its portfolio of consumer platforms. Through its portfolio of apps, Match Group reports serving roughly “100 million monthly active users around the world.” Swidler also brings deep experience building product-led businesses, improving customer engagement and growing technology companies focused on long-term user value.
“Youth and amateur sports are a central part of family and community life, yet the technology supporting them has not kept pace,” said Swidler. “Families and athletes often juggle several platforms to watch games, track stats, communicate with teams, and stay connected to their sports communities. Our goal is to invest in products that bring these experiences together in a more intuitive and consumer-friendly way.”
Stephen Master, managing director at GTCR, said Swidler is a “proven leader with a strong track record of building and scaling consumer technology platforms. Youth and amateur sports represent a large, underserved market, and we are excited to partner with Gary to build a next-generation sports technology and media platform focused on improving the consumer experience.”
“GTCR is excited to bring its capital and operational resources to the highly fragmented youth and amateur sports ecosystem, supporting the development of technology that better serves athletes, families and their communities,” commented Michael Pappas, director of GTCR.
Images courtesy GTRC/LinkedIn
