The deal

FRP Corporate Finance advises leading eSports agency in global merger

FRP Corporate Finance has advised a leading eSports marketing, gaming & entertainment agency on its merger with YMU Sports, a global talent management agency.

London based talent management agency, YMU, with a roster of clients in the sport, music and entertainment industries, has acquired a majority stake in Digital Sports Mgmt (DSM). The deal will see DSM join the global YMU Sports division, marking the agency’s first move into the world of gaming and sports marketing.

Launched in 2016 by founders Rob Wadsworth and Tom Henderson, DSM is trusted by clients such as The English FA, Sorare, Avery Dennison, La Liga and Warner Bros, and also represents some of the world’s “best gaming talent”, including Danny Aarons, ShaunaGames, and AJ3.

Our Corporate Finance team, led by Partner Mark Farlow, Director Bilal Hasan and Manager Nick Wright, provided sell-side support to DSM ahead of the merger, advising on the market landscape as well as the deal structure.

Bilal Hasan, Director at FRP Corporate Finance, said: “DSM is a unique asset, which is operating in an exciting fast-growth sector. In the short space of five years, it has established itself internationally while developing an impressive client base.

“Demand for niche social media and digital marketing assets is strong and we expect this to hold despite the macro headwinds. With this in mind, we expect to see the firm continue to go from strength to strength in its new partnership with YMU Sports.”

Tom Henderson and Rob Wadsworth, Co-Founders and Directors, DSM, commented: “YMU and Digital Sport Mgmt’s partnership strengthens our position at the crossroads where sport, gaming, technology, and entertainment meet and interact.

“The team at FRP Corporate Finance provided invaluable advice and support throughout the process. When issues arose, as they do in every deal, they guided us expertly and helped us achieve our ambitions”.

The deal represents the team’s fourth transaction in the sector in the past 15 months. Notable deals include advising on the sale of a significant stake in Goat, Livingbridge’s acquisition of Jungle Creations and Lifecycle Marketing’s acquisition of Emma’s Diary.