SoftBank to funnel $1bn into Fanatics

Aug 9, 2017 • Robert Lavine

SoftBank and its Vision Fund are reportedly set to combine for a $1bn investment in Fanatics that will value the sporting merchandise seller at $4.5bn.

Telecommunications conglomerate SoftBank and its $93bn Vision Fund are set to invest $1bn in US-based online sports e-commerce platform Fanatics, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.

The “bulk” of the funding will come from Vision Fund and the deal will value Fanatics at $4.5bn according to Reuters, which cited sources familiar with the matter.

Fanatics operates an online platform that sells merchandise and apparel on behalf of sports teams. It is the official merchandise partner of the National Football League…

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