News

Z Capital has acquired Sports Information Group, a provider of content for horse racing fans. Included in the transaction is SIG’s flagship horse racing publication Daily Racing Form. No financial terms were disclosed. JEGI advised Daily Racing Form on the deal.

PRESS RELEASE

New York, July 25, 2017 – Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. (“Z Capital”), the private equity management arm of Z Capital Group, L.L.C., a leading global alternative investment manager focused on opportunistic, value-oriented private equity and credit funds, today announced the acquisition by affiliates of Z Capital of Sports Information Group, LLC (“SIG” or the “Company”), a dominant multi-media information company focused on providing premium data driven content to the sports industry through its flagship Daily Racing Form platform and other brands. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Daily Racing Form has been the dominant daily publication in the horse racing industry since 1894 and is considered the go-to resource for the thoroughbred racing industry. Daily Racing Form publishes up to 2,000 unique pages of statistical and editorial copy every day, in as many as 20 daily editions, 364 days a year. Its companion website, www.DRF.com, is the most heavily-trafficked horse racing destination, providing extensive news coverage, race results, exclusive handicapping tools, as well as sales and auction coverage through DRF Breeding, and access to DRF Bets™, one of America’s fastest-growing online and mobile advanced deposit wagering platforms.

“Daily Racing Form has been a proven leader in horse racing for more than 120 years, transforming from a daily print newspaper to a multi-channel media company and comprehensive online betting platform,” said James Zenni, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Z Capital Group. “We are excited to support Daily Racing Form’s continued digital growth and expansion of its online betting platform as we add DRF to our investment portfolio.”

“We are thrilled to join the Z Capital family,” John Hartig, Chairman and CEO of SIG. “Z Capital’s financial strength, experience, insight and operational expertise will help Daily Racing Form and the Company’s other platforms continue to enhance and expand our digital offerings and better serve our loyal readers and customers, while staying true to the publication’s rich history and its market-leading brand.”

Daily Racing Form was advised in this transaction by JEGI I Clarity.

About Sports Information Group
Sports Information Group, LLC is a national, multi-media information company dedicated to providing premium data driven content and in-depth editorial coverage to horse racing enthusiasts in North America. The Company’s flagship brand, Daily Racing Form is “America’s Turf Authority since 1894” for horse racing enthusiasts and professionals throughout North America. Launched in 1894, Daily Racing Form is the only daily newspaper in the U.S. dedicated solely to the coverage of a single sport. Its companion website, www.DRF.com is the most heavily-trafficked horseracing destination, providing players with the most extensive news coverage in horse racing, interactive past performances, exclusive handicapping tools, and access to DRF Bets™, one of America’s fastest growing online and mobile wagering platform. Additionally, Daily Racing Form publishes DRF Harness Eye, the daily newspaper and digital content for standardbred racing since 1964, offering news, handicapping products, and online wagering functionality specifically for harness players. In 2012, Daily Racing Form introduced DRF Breeding, a business dedicated to serving the breeding industry, bringing expanded coverage and tools to horseplayer and breeding enthusiasts alike. For more information, please visit www.DRF.com.

About Z Capital Partners
Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. is the private equity management arm of Z Capital Group, L.L.C. Z Capital Group, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries (“Z Capital Group”) are a leading alternative asset management firm with approximately $2.3 billion of regulatory assets under management. For over two decades, the principals of Z Capital Group have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in companies across a diverse array of industries, including publishing, media, branded consumer, gaming, manufacturing and other industries.
Z Capital Group creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better, and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. Z Capital Group’s portfolio companies have aggregate annual revenues of approximately $1.3 billion, sell products in 57 countries, and have over 11,000 employees and in excess of 200,000 associates, directly and through joint ventures worldwide. The Z Capital Group investment strategy and portfolio companies are described at www.zcapgroup.net.