Eddie Hearn said the recent alliance between the Matchroom group and Bruin Capital could benefit their boxing schedule in the US.
Hearn, however, was quick to point out that Matchroom works across multiple sports and they will all be helped by the funding.
Bruin acquired a minority holding in Matchroom Holdings Ltd, in what was called “a strategic alliance between one of the world’s largest independent sports media and promotional businesses with the leading specialist in scaling sports businesses worldwide.”
The Hearn family maintains the majority ownership and will continue to oversee their business and financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, though Bruin will join Matchroom’s board of directors and their work is expected to support Matchroom’s US growth.
“Don’t forget that that is Matchroom Group,” Hearn said, about the upside for Matchroom Boxing in the US. “I think when you look at the potential for growth in America, that definitely applies to boxing, but it also applies specifically to our other sports. I mean, darts is going to take over America. I mean, it's going to be huge. American pool and nine-ball pool and Matchroom Pool, that’s already got a big history in America. So the deal was a massive deal for the company, and it allows us to move in those circles of growth, particularly in the US market. But, yes, for boxing [there is benefit], but probably more so for other sports as well.”
George Pyne, Bruin’s founder and CEO, said of the union: “Barry, Eddie, and the Matchroom team have built one of the most important independent sports businesses in the world. Matchroom sits at the intersection of live events, global media rights, and premium sports intellectual property, and we see significant opportunities ahead, particularly in the United States.”
Barry Hearn added: “We have built this business over more than forty years by staying independent and focused on execution. In Bruin, we found a partner that understands how to grow sports businesses at scale and can help us take the next step without changing how we operate.”
