IMG Worldwide, Inc. (IMG), the global sports and media company, has completed its previously announced acquisition of ISP Sports, a U.S. college media rights management company.
The acquisition, which closed Monday, combines ISP with IMG's existing college sports group, making it the largest provider of marketing, licensing and media services to universities in the world. Ben C. Sutton, Jr., the founder and CEO of ISP, is president of the newly combined business with responsibility for the day-to-day operations and development of the IMG College business enterprise.
ISP has marketing agreements with some of America's best-known college athletic programs under management, in addition to conferences, events and venues across the country. With more than 275 employees, ISP is a multi-media rightsholder for Arkansas, Arizona State, Auburn, Baylor, California, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Syracuse, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Washington and Washington State, among others.
“IMG is very fortunate to be able to add an executive of Ben Sutton's caliber and expertise to this extremely important position at this time,” said Ted Forstmann, Chairman and CEO of IMG.
IMG said the the acquisition of ISP Sports is the “perfect complement” to IMG's existing college business, which is an increasingly significant part of IMG. The company said acquisition is also “terrific” for the college sports fan as this combination provides a great opportunity for IMG to provide more, better and higher quality programming, as well as expanding the base of customers. IMG said the move also provides the IMG College client institutions the opportunity to expand new revenue growth platforms as they seek new and incremental funding sources to build and sustain competitive athletic programs, as well as to help fund their educational programs. In addition, it creates a benefit for IMG sponsors by increasing competition for national sales in the college environment, and provides them with new and enhanced services and increased efficiency.
IMG College will be headquartered in Winston Salem, NC and the division will maintain significant operations in Atlanta and Lexington, KY.
With the acquisition of ISP, the IMG College division now employs more than 700 people in 75 offices throughout the U.S. with annual sales of over $400 million. The Division manages certain multi-media rights for colleges and collegiate athletic conferences, which includes corporate sponsorships, radio and television programs, publishing, printing, creative design, marketing, Internet, national advertising and signage sales, and numerous lifestyle and event marketing platforms. It also serves as the exclusive licensing agency for more than 200 collegiate properties, including the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), The Rose Bowl, the Heisman Trophy and the NCAA, as well as many of the most recognized colleges and universities throughout the United States, assisting them with a wide array of licensing and administrative services. In addition, IMG College has had a 30-year relationship with the NCAA, representing NCAA Properties including NCAA Corporate Partners and NCAA Events and Hospitality. The Division is also involved in stadium facilities financing and in the stadium seating business through its IMG Legends joint venture with the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys.
