Highly profitable transaction expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and support multiple recurring revenue opportunities
FanEngine's assets add well-known global IP assets Peaky Blinders, Simon's Cat, The Two Robbies and Friends, 4Cast Media Platform featuring Former England Captain
Following this acquisition, GameSquare expected to deliver over
The Transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to profitability and represents the next step in GameSquare's strategy to build a differentiated, end-to-end platform spanning audience analytics, creators, agency services, owned IP and direct fan monetization. Using the closing price of
The acquisition of FanEngine's assets is expected to fundamentally enhance GameSquare's business model and revenues by expanding the Company's participation across the full fan value chain. Historically, GameSquare has helped brands and IP owners understand, reach and engage audiences through data, creators, content, production and agency services. The FanEngine assets add the ability to build direct fan relationships and participate more directly in monetization through online and "in real-life" (IRL) audience activations, merchandising, and other recurring and licensing revenue opportunities.
"Over the last several years, we have built a platform that helps brands and IP owners understand, reach and engage audiences at scale. The FanEngine assets add the next critical piece by giving us the ability to own more of the fan relationship vertical and participate more directly in the economics of audience monetization," said
Creating a Scalable IP Monetization Platform across
The FanEngine assets significantly expand GameSquare's exposure to valuable sports, entertainment and media IP through existing rights and commercial relationships including Peaky Blinders, Simon's Cat, The Two Robbies & Friends, and 4Cast Media Platform. Beyond its existing IP portfolio, FanEngine has built a powerful pipeline of relationships encompassing some of the most iconic entertainment franchises and some of the world's most in-demand and commercially successful music artists.
"We believe GameSquare is the ideal platform to utilize the FanEngine assets and accelerate profitable growth," said Marco Baccanello of FanEngine. "GameSquare brings scaled capabilities across data, creators, content, production, live events and commerce that complement our first-party fan engagement and monetization platform. By combining those capabilities with the FanEngine assets, GameSquare can move faster, capture more of the economics associated with each IP relationship and create multiple revenue opportunities from the same underlying audience. We believe the combination provides the infrastructure and reach to scale the existing IP portfolio of FanEngine while continuing to add exciting new global sports, music and entertainment properties."
Transaction Highlights
Immediately Accretive
GameSquare expects FanEngine to contribute positively to Adjusted EBITDA following closing and further strengthen the Company's profitability.Enhances Revenue Quality and Predictability
The FanEngine assets allow us to pursue gamification, commerce, events, ticketing, licensing and other direct fan monetization opportunities that can complement GameSquare's existing agency and campaign-based revenue.Accelerates GameSquare's IP Strategy
The transaction vastly expands GameSquare's ability to participate directly in the economics generated by entertainment, sports and music IP rather than solely providing services around audience engagement.Creates an End-to-End
Fan Platform
GameSquare believes the combination creates a differentiated platform across the fan lifecycle, where global reach offers a highly scalable solution.Creates Revenue and Margin Synergies
FanEngine utilizes third parties for certain content production, live events and activations, gamification, community programs and commerce functions. GameSquare expects to bring portions of this activity into its existing platform while also introducing GameSquare's services across FanEngine's broader IP relationships, thereby maximizing margin and net contribution to the Company.
2027 Financial Guidance
GameSquare is introducing full year 2027 guidance, which includes a full 12-month contribution of the FanEngine platform to financial results. For 2027, the company is expected to deliver over
Transaction Structure
The transaction is structured as an asset purchase. At closing, existing GameSquare shareholders are expected to represent approximately 70% of the Company's equity ownership, with existing shareholders of FanEngine representing approximately 30%, subject to final transaction calculations and adjustments. FanEngine's existing shareholders may earn up to an additional 10% of equity ownership based on achievement of specified financial milestones during 2027 and 2028.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of any required approvals, including shareholder approvals. The board of directors of GameSquare, have unanimously approved the acquisition and recommend that shareholders vote in favor of the Transaction.
Following closing, existing shareholders of FanEngine will have designated two board seats of the company. Marco Baccanello is expected to join GameSquare's leadership team as President,
About
GameSquare (NASDAQ: GAME) is a cutting-edge media, entertainment, and technology company transforming how brands and publishers connect with Gen Z,
To learn more, visit www.gamesquare.com.
About FanEngine
FanEngine is a technology, media and fan-economy asset aggregator whose assets enable IP owners across sports, music and entertainment to build direct relationships with their audiences and unlock new recurring revenue streams. Through a proprietary technology stack combining fan identity, behavioral intelligence, AI, gaming and blockchain infrastructure, FanEngine transforms fragmented audiences into consent-based, first-party fan communities. Its products and services span content, community, gaming, ticketing, merchandise, digital ownership, rewards and commerce, connecting physical and digital experiences throughout the fan journey. Designed to integrate with existing brands, creators, audiences and distribution platforms, FanEngine provides scalable infrastructure and monetization tools that deepen engagement, expand commercial opportunities and create lasting value for IP owners, brands and their audiences.
For more information, visit www.fanengine.tech.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "targets," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "potential" or "continue," or the negatives of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements regarding: the anticipated closing of the acquisition of the assets comprising FanEngine and the timing thereof; the satisfaction of closing conditions, including shareholder approvals; the achievement of the financial milestones and the issuance of the related equity; the Company's future performance, including earnings, profitability and revenue, the success of the acquisition, and integration; and the Company's ability to execute on its current and future business plans and strategy.
Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including, among others: the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the risk that the transaction does not close on the anticipated timeline or at all; the risk that the closing conditions, including shareholder approvals, are not satisfied; the risk that the financial milestones are not achieved in whole or in part; dilution resulting from the issuance of equity in the transaction; the Company's ability to integrate the acquisition; the Company's ability to achieve its objectives, successfully execute its growth strategy, obtain future financings or complete offerings on acceptable terms; failure to leverage the Company's portfolio across entertainment and media platforms; dependence on the Company's key personnel; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the other risks and uncertainties described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.
Contacts
GameSquare Investor Relations
Andrew Berger
Phone: (216) 464-6400
Email: ir@gamesquare.com
GameSquare Media Relations
Email: pr@gamesquare.com
FanEngine Investor Relations
Marco Baccanello
Phone: +44 7703 724179
Email: marco@fanengine.tech
SOURCE: GameSquare Holdings, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire