Thursday, April 19, 2012

Christian Conte: Football Fanatics Merger - Jacksonville Business Journal

Fanatics Inc. has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire all the outstanding shares of another multi-channel sports products retailer for an aggregate transaction value of $183 million.

The deal with Dreams    Dreams Latest from The Business Journals Follow this company Inc. (NYSE Amex: DRJ) based in Plantation is for $3.45 per share in cash, taking into account $25 million of outstanding debt, according to a company press release. The deal is a 32 percent premium over Dreams’ closing share price of $2.61 April 13.

The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of Dreams’ shareholders and regulatory approvals, but is expected to close in the third quarter.

The merger allows Fanatics to accelerate investments in product assortment, mobile and e-commerce technology and a regional fulfillment infrastructure, said Fanatics CEO Alan Trager.

“Today is an exciting day for all sports fans,” said Trager. “We are bringing together two of the most passionate management teams in licensed sports products.”

Fanatics, based in Jacksonville, is an online retailer specializing in sports leagues and teams merchandise. The company was started by two brothers as a brick and mortar retail shop in 1995 to sell Jacksonville Jaguars merchandise. The company continues to operate two stores called Football Fanatics in The Avenues and Orange Park malls.

Fanatics was acquired by GSI Commerce in March of 2011 and then in June of 2011, after GSI Commerce was acquired by eBay Inc, was spun out as a standalone business owned by Kynetic, a Michael Rubin company which also owns Rue La La and ShopRunner.

Christian covers banking and finance, insurance, retail and restaurants and law

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