Public Feedback Opens on Sportradar IMG Arena Deal

Sportradar’s planned acquisition of IMG Arena US Parent, LLC is now under early review by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA wants to hear from the public and industry insiders before deciding if a deeper look is needed.

Good to know

• Public comments will be accepted until July 25.
• CMA is checking if the deal could reduce competition in sports betting data.
• Sportradar agreed to pay $225 million total, with no payment going to Endeavor Group.

The CMA has not yet launched a full investigation. Right now, it is focused on gathering feedback to see if the merger could harm competition in the market. Officials are considering whether the deal falls under the Enterprise Act 2002, which allows them to intervene if competition might be threatened.

The public consultation runs from July 11 to July 25. During this time, the CMA is encouraging anyone with knowledge of the industry or concerns about the deal to share their thoughts. This step helps the regulator decide if the transaction might concentrate too much power into one player’s hands.

Sportradar first announced the agreement earlier this year. The total consideration adds up to $225 million, which includes $125 million in payments from Sportradar and another $100 million in cash prepayments already made to sports rights holders. Interestingly, Sportradar did not pay anything to Endeavor Group, the previous owner of IMG Arena.

The deal is still subject to the usual closing conditions and other regulatory approvals. If everything proceeds without any major obstacles, the companies expect to close the acquisition by the fourth quarter of 2025.

For now, the outcome of the CMA’s initial review will determine whether a more detailed investigation is necessary. Market observers and rival firms will be paying close attention, especially in a fast-moving sector where data access plays a huge role in shaping competition.