Combination Creates Global Esports
Powerhouse
TORONTO, March 1,
2024 /CNW/ - OverActive Media Corp. (TSXV: OAM)
(OTC:OAMCF) ("OverActive" or the "Company") today
announced that it has completed the purchases of certain esports
assets of Goatch Global, S.L. (operating as "KOI") and Team
Randomk Esports S.L., (operating as "Movistar Riders"), that
was previously announced on January 4,
2024.
With these strategic acquisitions complete, OverActive Media
solidifies its status as a dominant force in the global esports
industry, excelling in viewership, audience engagement, and
participation in the most competitive leagues across our global
markets. These acquisitions are complemented by:
- Service Agreements with renowned streamer Ibai Llanos and celebrated former professional
footballer and entrepeneur Gerard Piqué, who join OverActive as
significant shareholders and Brand Ambassadors;
- The transfer of a VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA license to
OverActive;
- The renewal and extension of Movistar Riders' agreement
with Telefónica through 2026, which now represents
OverActive's largest financial partnership; and
- The addition of esports services, revenues and capabilities
across the media, influencer and live event categories in
Madrid, Barcelona and across Spain and the Americas.
"These acquisitions bring significant synergies and opportunity
to OverActive, and we are already seeing their impact across our
audience numbers, engagement levels, sponsorships and renewals,"
said Adam Adamou, CEO of OverActive.
"We are filled with the enthusiasm that comes from seeing our
combined vision come together into something that is far greater
than the sum of the parts."
OverActive has also announced several management changes to
better position the organization for the opportunities in its
global and local markets:
- Fernando Piquer, formerly Co-CEO
of Movistar Riders was named as Chief Strategy Officer
- Carlos García-Acevedo, formerly Co-CEO of Movistar Riders was
named as Chief Commercial Officer
- Carmen Cardenete, formerly of KOI, was named as VP,
Marketing
- Mike Schwartzentruber has been
promoted to VP, Finance
- Till Werdermann has been
promoted to VP, Team Operations
"I am proud of the depth and breadth of our team and for the
addition and support of the staff and leadership that we have added
through these transactions. Each of these talented individuals will
be members of our Executive Leadership Team and work alongside
myself to build out the strong, powerful, and profitable business
that is our shared vision," added Adam
Adamou.
In line with the transformative growth of the organization,
OverActive Media is pleased to announce the expansion of its Board
of Directors to mirror the Company's global reach and
expertise:
- Gerard Piqué brings his vast experience in sports,
entertainment, and business development to the board. Mr. Piqué's
strategic insights and network will be invaluable as OverActive
continues to expand its footprint in the esports industry.
- Gabriel Sáenz de Buruaga, a respected media agency executive
and co-founder of Movistar Riders, will leverage his deep knowledge
of the digital and advertising landscapes to guide OverActive's
strategic direction. His expertise in media and telecommunications
will support the Company's growth initiatives and
partnerships.
"The addition of Gerard Piqué and Gabriel Sáenz de Buruaga to
OverActive's Board of Directors marks a significant milestone in
our journey," said Sheldon Pollack,
Chair of the Board. "We welcome them to OverActive and look forward
to working with them closely as we navigate the evolving esports
landscape and seize new opportunities for growth."
Acquisition Transaction
Details
The consideration paid by OverActive for each of the
acquisitions consists of up to 30 million common shares of the
Company ("Common Shares"), of which 22.5 million Common
Shares were issued at closing (the "Initial Consideration
Shares") and up to 7.5 million Common Shares (the "Earn Out
Shares") will be issued based on OverActive's EMEA based
business achieving certain adjusted EBITDA targets during the
period from January 1, 2024 to
December 31, 2028. Accordingly, the
aggregate consideration payable by OverActive to complete both
acquisitions is up to 60 million common shares, consisting of 45
million Initial Consideration Shares and up to 15 million Earn Out
Shares. A portion of the Initial Consideration Shares are subject
to escrow and lock-up arrangements as previously disclosed.
In the case of the KOI acquisition: (i) 7.1 million of the
Initial Consideration Shares will be escrowed for five years, with
20% of the escrowed shares released on each anniversary of closing;
(ii) 12.1 million of the Initial Consideration Shares will be
subject to lock-up for seven years, with 1/7 of the locked-up
shares released on each anniversary of closing and (iii) 3.3
million of the Initial Consideration Shares will be issued free of
any escrow or lock-up restrictions.
After giving effect to the issuance of the Initial Consideration
Shares, OAM currently has approximatley 125 million Common Shares
outstanding, of which 22.5 million (or approximately 18%) are owned
by the former owners of Movistar Riders and 22.5 million are owned
by KOI. Assuming the issuance of all of the Earn Out Shares, after
giving effect to the completion of the Acquisitions, the Company
would have approximately 140 million Common Shares outstanding, of
which 30 million (or approximately 21.4%) of which would be owned
by the former owners of Movistar Riders and 30 million will be
owned by KOI (subject to the terms of the KOI acquisition
agreement, which provides that KOI will not be issued any Common
Shares to the extent that the issuance of those shares would result
in KOI owning 20% or more of the oustanding Common Shares).. The
transaction is an arm's length transaction and will not result in
the creation of a new "Control Person" as defined in the policies
of the TSXV. Total liabilities to be assumed by OverActive as a
result of the closing of the transaction will be approximately
$3.30 million, which consists of
Movistar Riders' outstanding debt obligations and trade
payables.
For further details regarding the terms of the Acquisitions
please refer to OverActive's press releases of January 4, January
8 and January 23, 2024 and to
the copies of the definitive purchase agreements that have been
filed under OverActive's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.com.
Early Warning Disclosure
In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument
62-103, KOI announces that it has filed an early warning report
related to its acquisition of Common Shares.
KOI acquired 22.5 million Common Shares in exchange for the
esports assets it sold to OverActive. Prior to the acquisition of
these shares (and after giving effect to the completion of
OverActive's acquisition of the KOI esports assets and Movistar
Riders), KOI did not own any Common Shares. After giving effect to
the acquisitions, KOI owns a total of 22.5 million Common Shares,
representing approximately 18% of the outstanding Common Shares.
KOI is also entitled to receive up to an additional 7.5 million
Earn Out Shares based on OverActive's EMEA based business achieving
certain adjusted EBITDA targets during the period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028.
The 22.5 million Initial Consideration Shares acquired by KOI
are subject to escrow and lock-up restrictions as follows: (i) 7.1
million of the Initial Consideration Shares have been escrowed for
five years, with 20% of the escrowed shares released on each
anniversary of closing; (ii) 12.1 million of the Initial
Consideration Shares are subject to lock-up for seven years, with
1/7 of the locked-up shares released on each anniversary of closing
and (iii) 3.3 million of the Initial Consideration Shares were
issued free of any escrow or lock-up restrictions.
KOI acquired the Common Shares for investment purposes. In the
future, KOI will evaluate its investment in the Company from time
to time and may, based on such evaluation, market conditions and
other circumstances, increase or decrease its shareholdings as
circumstances require through market transactions, private
agreements, or otherwise.
A copy of the early warning report filed by KOI may be obtained
under the Company's profile on SEDAR+.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements which constitute
"forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information"
within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively,
"forward-looking statements"), including statements regarding the
plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of OverActive
with respect to the Acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are
often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should",
"will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate",
"expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding
(a) the completion of the acquisitions, (b) the benefits expected
to result from the acquisitions by the Company, (c) the future
performance of Movistar Riders and KOI, including the achievement
of certain earn-out targets and their continued expansion and
growth, , and (d) other statements that are not historical
facts.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not
based on historical facts but instead OverActive management's
expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or
events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of
management considered reasonable at the date the statements are
made. Although OverActive believes that the expectations reflected
in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements
involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be
placed thereon, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have
material adverse effects on future results, performance or
achievements of the OverActive. Among the key factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in
the forward-looking statements are the following: risks associated
with the integration of the Acquisitions and the performance of
Movistar Riders and KOI following completion of the Acquisitions;
changes in general economic, business and political conditions,
including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable
laws and regulations both locally and in foreign jurisdictions;
compliance with extensive government regulation; the risks and
uncertainties associated with foreign markets; and risk factors set
out in OverActive's annual information form for the year ended
December 31, 2021. These
forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and
uncertainties in the business of OverActive and general market
conditions.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,
or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those
described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed,
estimated or expected. Although OverActive has attempted to
identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could
cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that
cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and
such changes could be material. OverActive does not intend, and
does not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking
statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.
ABOUT OVERACTIVE MEDIA
OverActive Media Corp. (TSXV: OAM) is headquartered in
Toronto, Ontario, with operations
in Madrid, Spain and Berlin, Germany. OverActive's mandate is to
build an integrated global company delivering sports, media and
entertainment products for today's generation of fans with a focus
on esports, videogames, content creation and distribution, culture,
and live and online events. OverActive owns team franchises in
professional esports leagues, including (i) the Call of Duty
League, operating as the Toronto Ultra, and (ii) the League of
Legends EMEA Championship, operating as the MAD Lions. OverActive
also leads OAM Live, an events arm that produces both live and
online events.
ABOUT KOI
KOI is the Barcelona
headquartered Esports club founded by Kosmos and Ibai Llanos in December
2021. The club currently has three teams: League of Legends,
which competes in the LVP Superliga; VALORANT, which, after a
season competing in Spain, now
competes in the VALORANT Champions Tour EMEA League; and EA FC.
ABOUT MOVISTAR RIDERS
Movistar Riders is one of the leading eSports clubs in
Spain. Its professional players
represent the Movistar Riders brand in multiple national and
international tournaments, competing in the most popular games such
as League of Legends, CS2, or VALORANT; in addition to having the
Atlético de Madrid - Movistar team
for EA FC.
The club is headquartered at the Movistar eSports Center, in
Matadero Madrid, a high-performance center where both players and
coaching staff have the most advanced means to develop their
activity at the highest level.
For more information, visit the club's official website:
https://www.movistarriders.gg/
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
SOURCE OverActive Media