top of page

Sports Funding, M&A News- Signing Day Sports, Agilitas Sports, Ayo Indonesia, EA Sports, Wagr (May 2023 Edition)




Welcome to ScoreCard, your monthly dose of the latest and greatest happenings in the dynamic world of sports and sports technology! In a rapidly evolving landscape, we understand the importance of staying informed and ahead of the curve. That's why we've created ScoreCard by SportsFirst to bring you a comprehensive roundup of the most exciting sports deals, startup funding alerts, mergers, acquisitions, and emerging technologies in the industry.


Every month, our dedicated team of experts curate the top stories and trends from the world of sports and sports tech, ensuring that you never miss a beat. From the latest mega-mergers to innovative startups shaking up the industry, we've got you covered. We dive deep into the world of sports to bring you exclusive insights, expert analysis, and thought-provoking commentary on the hottest topics.


ScoreCard is more than just a newsletter; it's a community of like-minded enthusiasts, professionals, and visionaries passionate about the future of sports and sports technology. Our mission is to keep you informed, inspired, and engaged as we explore the cutting-edge developments that are reshaping the way we play, compete, and experience the thrill of sports.


Welcome aboard, and let the games begin! 🏆




Signing Day Sports Sets Sights on an Industry-First IPO:

🌍 In a potential industry game-changer, Signing Day Sports has declared its ambitious intention to file for an IPO. The company, a trailblazer in facilitating athletes' agreements with college and professional teams, is aiming to raise a whopping $100 million through this initiative. As a consistently profitable firm with a remarkable 50% YoY revenue growth, the Brian Murphy-led company is setting the pace in the sports marketing domain.


Agilitas Sports Nets a Phenomenal $52 Million in Series A Funding:

📱 Agilitas Sport, The sports tech world witnessed an exhilarating development with Agilitas Sports, an avant-garde sportswear startup, netting a staggering $52 million in its Series A funding round. Led by Sequoia Capital India and featuring noteworthy contributions from Accel Partners and Blume Ventures, this funding initiative is a testament to Agilitas' formidable position in the sportswear industry. Helmed by former Puma India CEO Abhishek Ganguly and CMO Vivek Nigam, the company plans to utilize this windfall to diversify its already stunning product range, open cutting-edge retail locations, and attract a plethora of top-tier talent. Agilitas Sports is prepared to enhance its market presence across India and the US, all while laying the groundwork for a highly anticipated global expansion.




Ayo Indonesia Triumphantly Secures Seed Investment:

🤝 Ayo Indonesia, an exceptional sports technology platform, is taking the sports tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia by storm with its remarkable $1 million seed investment. Spearheaded by East Ventures and boosted by contributions from Insignia Ventures Partners and esteemed angel investors, this funding round sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in the company's journey. The visionary brainchild of former professional athletes Andika Gunawan and Rizki Yanuar, Ayo Indonesia is poised to leverage this robust financial backing to augment its workforce, revamp its platform with innovative features, and exponentially expand its user engagement. As a bridge connecting athletes with coaches, Ayo Indonesia is revolutionizing the sports industry domestically and is now setting its sights on scaling to other Southeast Asian nations, promising a richer and more efficient sports ecosystem.






Octagon Leverages Acquisition of Engage Sports Marketing to Penetrate Rugby Market:


💰 In a strategic bid to enhance its influence in the rapidly growing rugby market, global sports marketing heavyweight, Octagon, has triumphantly acquired Engage Sports Marketing, an esteemed rugby marketing agency. This acquisition signifies Octagon's intent to provide its clientele with a comprehensive, all-inclusive range of services. The firm is now perfectly poised to tap into the exponential popularity of rugby, especially in the US. By harnessing Engage Sports Marke


ting's unparalleled expertise and robust network within the rugby world, Octagon is set to offer its clients exclusive rugby content and experiences, thereby solidifying its position as a leading sports marketing agency.



EA Sports & Nike NFT venture

EA Sports and Nike Embark on a Revolutionary NFT Venture:

📱 Signifying its unequivocal commitment to the swiftly expanding NFT arena, EA Sports has announced a thrilling partnership with sports apparel behemoth, Nike. This alliance promises to bring digital renditions of Nike-branded gear and apparel into the NFT world, offering fans a unique, immersive experience and access to exclusive digital merchandise. Through this pioneering venture, EA Sports is not only creating additional revenue streams but also setting the stage for exciting new ways of fan engagement.


Unagi Attracts Significant Funding to Power Up its Fantasy Sports Platform:

📈 Web3 gaming startup Unagi is turning heads in the tech world with a $10 million funding round, led by the likes of Binance Labs, Alameda Research, and Animoca Brands. This robust investment will propel Unagi's expansion, feature development, and user growth, setting it on a trajectory to become a dominant player in the fantasy sports market.



Roku's New Sports Hub: A Grand Salute to Women's Sports:

🎲 In a landmark move showcasing its unwavering dedication to promoting women's sports, Roku has unveiled a unique sports hub solely focused on women's sporting events. Featuring live and on-demand content from the WNBA, NWSL, and Women's World Cup, this innovative hub is the first of its kind, cementing Roku's position as a trailblazer in the streaming industry.



Wagr acquired
Yahoo Acquires Social Sports Betting App Wagr:

📺 Yahoo has acquired Wagr, a social sports betting app, for $100 million. The acquisition will allow Yahoo to expand its sports betting offerings and compete with other major sports betting platforms, such as DraftKings and FanDuel.

Wagr is a social sports betting app that allows users to bet on real-world sporting events with their friends. The app is popular among millennials and Gen Z, and it has over 1 million users.

The acquisition of Wagr is a significant move for Yahoo. It is the company's first major acquisition in the sports betting space, and it signals Yahoo's commitment to the growing market for sports betting.



Tiger Global Likely to Invest $40 Million in IPL Team Rajasthan Royals:

📰 Tiger Global Management is reportedly in talks to invest $40 million in Rajasthan Royals, a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The investment would value Rajasthan Royals at $1 billion.

Tiger Global is a leading global investment firm with over $100 billion in assets under management. The firm has invested in a number of successful companies, including Airbnb, Spotify, and Stripe.

The investment in Rajasthan Royals is a sign of Tiger Global's interest in the Indian market. The IPL is the most popular cricket league in the world, and it has a growing fan base in India and around the world.

The investment in Rajasthan Royals could help the team to improve its performance on the field and expand its reach to new markets. It could also help to boost the popularity of cricket in the United States and other parts of the world.



As the sports industry continues to grow and evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting funding and acquisition deals in the future. These deals will not only shape the landscape of the industry, but also provide opportunities for new players to enter the market and for existing players to expand their reach. Whether it's through new technologies, innovative partnerships, or strategic acquisitions, the sports industry is sure to remain a hotbed of activity for years to come. So stay tuned for more updates and insights on the latest developments in this fast-paced and exciting field.



ScoreCard is for every Sports enthusiast. So, whether you're an athlete, a fan, an investor, or an entrepreneur in the sports and sports tech realm, ScoreCard is the perfect companion for staying up-to-date and inspired. Gear up for an exciting journey, as we embark on this adventure to stay ahead in the game!


We at SportsFirst look forward to ideas, suggestions & contributions to our newsletter.








Want to build a Sports App?

bottom of page