Dyrdek Machine Portfolio Company Street League Skateboarding merges with Nitro Circus, and acquires Dyrdek Machine’s Superjacket Productions, in partnership with the Raine Group and Causeway Media Partners
Dyrdek Machine, a leading venture studio created by Rob Dyrdek, has successfully transacted two portfolio companies in a landmark partnership to create Thrill One Sports & Entertainment. Through the merger of Nitro Circus and Street League Skateboarding (SLS) and the acquisition of Superjacket Productions, Thrill One Sports & Entertainment immediately becomes the world’s largest independent action sports operator and media company. To see two of the first companies born at Dyrdek Machine on the journey from concept stage to exit, and with such great partners to elevate both entities, is truly incredible,” offered Dyrdek, founder of Superjacket and SLS.
Superjacket Productions is a leading full-service video and film production house created by Rob Dyrdek and Shane Nickerson, the minds behind hit television programs, “Ridiculousness,” “The Dude Perfect Show,” “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory,” and “Rob & Big.” SLS is the world’s premier street skateboarding competition series, featuring an international roster of elite professionals and serving as the lead Olympic qualification pathway for Tokyo 2020.
The multi-faceted Thrill One Sports & Entertainment deal represents Dyrdek Machine’s third and fourth successful portfolio company exits of 2019; following the Chemistry Holdings merger with the publicly traded CURE Pharmaceutical and Form Factory selling to Acreage Holdings Inc. (ACRGF). These exits capped off a strong year for the Dyrdek Machine portfolio which also included notable growth financing rounds for supplement brand, Momentous, as well as plant-based snack foods company, Outstanding Foods — two consumer brands that Dyrdek Machine helped to shape and build from their earliest stages.
The union of Nitro Circus, Superjacket Productions and SLS under the Thrill One umbrella was architected by leading firms in sports & media investing, including The Raine Group, Causeway Media Partners, and specialty finance firm, Midcap Financial. “This groundbreaking alliance combines three prized brands into a single entity, transforming what has historically been a fragmented landscape into the biggest platform in action sports,” said Joe Carr, the newly instated Chief Executive Officer of Thrill One. “Action sports are enjoying a renaissance right now with Olympic inclusion in 2020, the democratization of media, and the worldwide fanbase at an all-time high. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our athletes and talented management team to drive organic growth in our existing businesses while also identifying potential M&A opportunities and complimentary IP.”
Driven by both the incredible skills of action sports’ top athletes and the daring exploits of its bold daredevils, Nitro Circus creates spectacular live events and prestigious sports competitions across its portfolio of Nitro World Games, Nitro Rallycross, and Nitro Circus Live.
“At Nitro Circus, we have the amazing opportunity to work with the best athletes, content creators, and technical geniuses in the business, reaching fans worldwide,” said Nitro Circus Co-Founder and action sports icon, Travis Pastrana. “Now, by teaming up with SLS and Superjacket to create this game-changing powerhouse, we can supercharge the growth of action sports on an even grander scale.”
In addition to uniting elite athletes, top talent, and renowned brands under one banner, Thrill One will further cement its position as the leading producer of action sports content and events through the launch of additional properties and the pursuit of strategic acquisitions.
About Thrill One Sports & Entertainment
Thrill One Sports & Entertainment will hit the ground running in 2020, with more than 30 events scheduled worldwide across its extensive portfolio. The company will also produce over 100 hours of live sports and deliver over 175 episodes of original programming this year. Thrill One also boasts one of the largest aggregate social audiences in action sports with over 40 million engaged followers across its multiple brand pages and channels.
About Dyrdek Machine
Dyrdek Machine is a Los Angeles based venture studio created by Rob Dyrdek, media personality and serial entrepreneur, that designs, shapes, builds and invests in consumer product companies at the conception stage. Dyrdek Machine acts as a Co-Founder to its portfolio companies using a proprietary business building process known as the Machine Method. For more information, please visit www.dyrdekmachine.com
