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New to Blue: Rep for college coaches, events

Jul 9th, 2007

By Liz Mullen, Staff Writer

Sports Business Journal


Blue Equity, continuing the acquisition spree it started last year, has purchased Game Seven Sports Marketing.

With the acquisition, Louisville, Ky.-based Blue Equity expands its growing talent representation business to college coaches and adds events including the Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge to its portfolio.


Lexington, Ky.-based Game Seven represents Louisville football coach Steve Kragthorpe, Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith, Arizona State basketball coach Herb Sendek, Mississippi basketball coach Andy Kennedy, Arkansas basketball coach John Pelphrey and Massachusetts basketball coach Travis Ford for marketing work and speaking engagements.


In addition to the Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge, which will be held at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden in December, Game Seven owns two USTA Challenger events, the Men's and Women's Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships in Lexington and the Men's Ford Tennis Championship in Louisville.


Game Seven principals and founders Brooks Downing and Jason Charney will continue to run the company, Downing as president and Charney as senior vice president.


Mike Principe, COO of Blue Equity and managing director of the sports and entertainment properties, would not reveal the financial details of the deal. "It is just like all our other structures. [Downing and Charney] have long-term employment agreements and will retain equity in their business," he said.

Blue Equity, a private equity firm, began building its sports agency in 2006 with the acquisitions of the tennis, media and events divisions of SFX Sports. It has continued to acquire sports companies this year, including the practice of prominent NFL player agent Joel Segal, as well as sports events company Team Championship International.