The share and cash deal makes the new entity France’s leading independent Internet sports group with more than 250,000 unique users and 15 million page views.
The terms of the deal will give 365Corp, a 7.4% stake in Sporever.fr, and a seat on the company’s board of directors. Both companies will work together in the future to develop content, for delivery over multiple platforms.
Founded in July 1998, Football365.fr is France’s leading Website for soccer with over a million visits a month, according to media metrics firm Cybermetrie. An institution in the French football sector, Football365.fr provides a meeting place for France’s football community as well as in depth coverage of the football scene. The site will be run alongside Sporever.fr.
After only five months in business, Sporever.fr has become the benchmark in web-based sports content and the leading site for France’s 26 million sports enthusiasts. The only sports portal that regularly covers over 80 different types of sports, Sporever.fr produces its own multimedia programmes and original shows, such as: Cote Tribune, with Pathe Sport; Le But en Or; and Les Bons Plans de Fred et Sophie. It also offers such community features as personal and club pages. In its first month, Sporever.fr exceeded one million page impressions.
Mr. Chene, president, Sporever.fr said Our acquisition of Football365.fr will give Sporever.fr a major advantage for the 2002 World Cup. We are now France’s leading independent Internet sports group. This deal also gives us a top-notch partner. We will be able to benefit from the experience of 365Corp, which has proven its expertise by operating some of the most popular sites in Great Britain, the United States and South America. Their support will enable us to even further accelerate our growth.
Dan Thompson, CEO, 365 Corporation Plc, added: We’re delighted to announce this partnership and see our interests in France grow through Sporever. Sporever have a unique insight into the French media market and an unparalleled experience in the broadband sector. This will allow us to exploit the huge potential of the French market with significant inroads into the UMTS business.
