Grup Mediapro Launches $1.1 billion Sports Rights Fund, Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary in Expansive Mode

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with decades of immersion in the dynamic world of film and television, I must say that the latest developments at Grup Mediapro have left me thoroughly exhilarated! The $1.1 billion sports rights brokering fund is an impressive stride forward for this Barcelona-based titan, signaling their intent to remain a formidable force in the industry.


MediaPro Group, based in Barcelona, is introducing and overseeing a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) sports broadcasting investment fund, focusing on both well-established and up-and-coming sports events.

On Tuesday, during the 30th anniversary celebration of Mediapro in Madrid, the launch of a new fund was announced. This announcement comes just a week after the debut at Cannes Mipcom trade fair of The Mediapro Studio’s first English-language lineup of series and films in the US and Canada. In simpler terms, the new investment fund was unveiled at Mediapro’s 30th anniversary event in Madrid, while its English-language content production initiative for the US and Canada was revealed a week earlier at Cannes Mipcom.

Among the assortment are ventures spearheaded by John Turturro, Melissa Leo, Evan Katz who was the showrunner for “24”, Oscar winner Juan José Campanella from “The Secret in Their Eyes”, Tom Donahue of “Mafia Spies”, Anthony Carbone who oversees “The Floor” and Matt Hastings, a contributor to both “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Fallen”.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Grup Mediapro unveiled plans to open the Mediapro Yonkers Studios next year in April 2025. The studios, spanning over 10,200 square meters, will feature three sound stages that together cover approximately 4,600 square meters of floor space.

On Tuesday, MediaPro unveiled MediaPro Xperiences, a platform dedicated to fostering innovative technology and providing long-term platforms for immersive content experiences.

Established in 1994 by Jaume Roures and Tatxo Benet, Mediapro significantly expanded its reach primarily through its sports rights business. By securing deals in various countries, it promptly provided production services, enabling the establishment of offices that subsequently ventured into film and TV production. Since 2015, the Mediapro Group has delved into high-end international television production, including series like The New Pope, Locked Up, and The Head under its banner francishe, while making a strong foothold in Latin America.

Yonkers Studios observes that the United States and Canada are strengthening their influence, with our company, led by Laura Fernández Espeso, significantly increasing its U.S. involvement – a strategic goal that has been consistently sought over the long term.

With a 1.1 billion dollar fund, Grup Mediapro returns as a key player in the sports brokerage business, but it’s not as massive as Sky (which invested 3.2 billion) or Canal+ (628 million) in recent years, based on Enders Analysis.

On Tuesday, Benet stated that Grup Mediapro is engaging in discussions with potential investors to become part of their investment pool. It’s important to note that Grup Mediapro’s reach extends beyond just European soccer. “Our goal is to secure financial backing,” said Benet, emphasizing that his company operates globally. “We can leverage our expertise to grow a sport, increase its value, and reap the benefits, much like any other investment fund does,” he continued.

Laura Fernández Espeso, the managing director, stated that the 30th anniversary signifies a ‘before’ and ‘after’ milestone for Grup Mediapro, and as we move forward, we will have an impact stronger than ever before,” is one way to paraphrase it in natural and easy-to-read language.

Our goal is to make a difference, striving to become influential leaders. With operations spanning over five continents, we boast more than 50 global offices and an ever-expanding team of around 7,000 dedicated individuals.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the upcoming Mediapro Yonkers Studios will be a cutting-edge production hub, marking a $70 million investment over the next decade. Our goal is to achieve a 60% occupancy rate in our inaugural year, which would account for an impressive 20% of Mediapro US’s revenue.

Grup Mediapro Launches $1.1 billion Sports Rights Fund, Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary in Expansive Mode

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2024-10-30 13:17