Sports Facilities Companies Acquires RCI Sports Management
•February 13, 2026
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Why It Matters
These moves signal intensified competition for talent, technology‑driven fan experiences, and continued capital inflow into sports‑tech and venue management, reshaping revenue streams across the industry.
Key Takeaways
- •DAZN hires Dave Stratton to lead global marketing
- •CAA adds gaming expert Christopher Erb, expanding brand consulting
- •Big 12 introduces LED GlassFloor for 2026 tournaments
- •SFC acquires RCI, boosting facility‑management footprint
- •Doug DeVos purchases Rockwool Racing for $60M, entering SailGP
Pulse Analysis
The flurry of high‑profile hires underscores how streaming platforms and agencies are betting on seasoned marketers to capture fragmented audiences. DAZN’s appointment of Dave Stratton, a veteran of Sky and AB InBev, reflects a strategic push to fuse boxing and football content with broader brand partnerships, while CAA’s recruitment of Christopher Erb signals a deeper integration of gaming‑centric campaigns into traditional sports sponsorship portfolios. Both moves illustrate the industry’s recognition that data‑rich, cross‑channel storytelling is essential for monetizing global fan bases.
Technology continues to reshape the live‑sport experience, as evidenced by the Big 12’s rollout of ASB GlassFloor’s full‑LED video court. The transparent surface can display real‑time graphics, sponsor logos, and interactive data without interrupting play, creating new inventory for advertisers and richer visual narratives for viewers. Such innovations align with broader trends toward immersive, in‑venue activations that blend physical and digital touchpoints, offering sponsors measurable engagement metrics and fans a more dynamic atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the acquisition landscape remains robust. Sports Facilities Companies’ purchase of RCI expands its operational reach into mid‑market municipalities, positioning the combined entity to capitalize on growing demand for professionally managed sports complexes. Similarly, Doug DeVos’s $60 million acquisition of the Rockwool Racing SailGP team marks a strategic entry into high‑visibility sailing competition, leveraging the sport’s global broadcast platform to diversify his sports‑investment portfolio. Both deals highlight how investors are targeting assets that combine venue expertise with emerging sports properties to capture new revenue streams and fan demographics.
Deal Summary
Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) announced the acquisition of RCI Sports Management, a Texas‑based facility‑management firm that operates sports complexes across Texas, Kansas and the central U.S. The deal expands SFC’s national platform and deepens its operational capabilities in mid‑market and high‑growth communities. Deal value was not disclosed.
Article
Source: Sportico
PERSONNEL
DAZN Appoints Dave Stratton as EVP of Marketing
DAZN announced the appointment of Dave Stratton as executive vice president, marketing. In his new role, Stratton will lead global marketing efforts across DAZN’s boxing and football verticals, including supporting the launch of FIFA+ on DAZN later this year, as the platform continues to expand across more than 200 markets worldwide. Stratton has previously held senior leadership roles at AB InBev, Lucozade, BT and Sky, most recently serving as sports marketing director for Sky and NOW TV.
Shropshire, Morris Named Strategic Advisors for SeventySix Capital
SeventySix Capital, the modern sports investment platform, announced that Ken Shropshire and Michael Morris have been named strategic advisors. Shropshire and Morris will focus on advisory client acquisition, strategic growth and executive leadership and governance for professional and college sports executives and leading sports companies, while also providing insight and influence across SeventySix Capital’s sports‑tech and gaming venture‑capital portfolio investments.
Logan Phillip Named General Counsel for Big 12 Conference
Logan Phillip has been named general counsel for the Big 12 Conference. Phillip previously served as interim general counsel and associate VP for legal affairs. In her new role, she will serve as the chief legal advisor to the commissioner, conference leadership and member institutions, providing legal, compliance, governance and risk‑management guidance. She will also lead the conference’s in‑house commercial legal function and advise on enterprise‑level media, sponsorship, licensing, technology and NIL‑related initiatives across the Big 12.
Veteran Video Game Marketing Exec Christopher Erb to Join CAA
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) announced Christopher Erb, founder of Tripleclix, will join CAA. Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., Tripleclix creates strategies for brands that want to build direct relationships with consumers through gaming. Erb and his team will join CAA Brand Consulting, CAA’s full‑service marketing agency for brands across sports, entertainment and gaming, and is currently working on more than $5 billion in partnerships for global clients.
CSMG Unveils Leadership Reorganization
Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), a sports, entertainment and media company focused on esports and traditional sports, announced a reorganization of its leadership team. Tom Beusse has joined CSMG as operating advisor, Ray Katz has been elevated to president, media and business intelligence, Angela Bernhard Thomas has expanded her role as chief gaming officer to include global strategy, Mike Blewitt has been promoted to chief partnerships officer, and Carmine Tiso has been appointed to lead communications for CSMG.
Kickback Soccer Media Adds MLS Authority Matt Doyle
Kickback Soccer Media announced a major expansion to its American soccer media platform, highlighted by the addition of American soccer personality Matt Doyle, and the launch of two new original shows. Kickback Soccer Media already features American soccer personalities Susannah Fuller, David Gass, Tom Bogert, Jordan Angeli and Brianna Pinto. Kickback is also launching two new original shows, Kickback Committee Open Mic and First Touch Weekly.
Brooks Running Creates New Role: VP, Footwear Product Strategy
Brooks Running announced industry veteran Claire Wood as its first vice president, footwear product strategy. This new role will lead Brooks’ footwear product line management, merchandising and product marketing teams. Wood comes to the role with deep footwear industry expertise.
Creative Artists Agency Promotes Six to Agent/Executive
Entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) announced it has promoted six employees to agent or executive, including Casey Fraser, Kevin Goldfinger, Jonathan Granville, Joy Jiu, Katherine McConnell and Chris Meyer. Fraser has been promoted to Motion Picture Talent Agent. Goldfinger has been promoted to Sports Broadcasting Executive. New York‑based Granville has been promoted to Executive in CAA Executive Search. Jiu has been promoted to Executive in Brand Consulting. Based in New York, McConnell has been promoted to Executive and Chief of Staff of Sports Broadcasting, led by Tom Young and Matt Kramer. Meyer has been promoted to Executive and will serve as chief of staff to co‑chairman Richard Lovett.
PARTNERSHIPS
PGA Tour University Announces Huntington Bank as Official Sponsor
PGA Tour University announced Huntington National Bank as an official sponsor, extending the bank’s sports‑marketing efforts and reinforcing its commitment to collegiate athletics. Huntington Bank will support the program’s mission to identify the top players in collegiate golf and provide membership opportunities on PGA Tour‑affiliated tours. Huntington will activate a tour‑focused media and content strategy designed to spotlight emerging talent. The initiative will integrate Huntington branding across PGA Tour University platforms.
PRODUCTS
Big 12 Unveils ASB GlassFloor for Upcoming Tournaments
The Big 12 Conference and ASB GlassFloor introduced a full‑LED video sports floor that will debut at the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this March at the T‑Mobile Center in Kansas City. The tournaments will mark the first time ASB GlassFloor’s LED court technology will be used for official competition in the United States. ASB’s GlassFloor meets the standards of modern hardwood courts, and LED technology beneath the playing surface enables real‑time branding, in‑game activations and data‑driven visuals.
PURCHASES
Sports Facilities Companies Acquires RCI Sports Management
The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) announced the acquisition of RCI Sports Management (RCI), a Texas‑based facility‑management firm that works with municipal and privately owned sports complexes. RCI’s portfolio of managed properties and operating agreements in Texas, Kansas and the central U.S. will integrate into SFC’s national platform, expanding SFC’s reach and deepening its operational capabilities in mid‑market and high‑growth communities.
American Magic Acquires Danish Rockwool Racing SailGP Team
SailGP announced that the Rockwool Racing SailGP Team has been acquired by sports investor and American Magic co‑founder Doug DeVos in a $60 million transaction. DeVos is part of the family ownership group of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. American Magic was supported on this acquisition by Miller Johnson and Ikon Capital, a sports‑focused investment and advisory platform, which also joins as a co‑investor in the team. American Magic will own and operate the team, with Rockwool continuing as Title Partner until 2032.
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