If You Can't Beat Them, Buy Them

Falconhead Capital-backed Competitor Group has entered into an agreement to acquire Devine Sports' Las Vegas Marathon. The Competitor Group was formed by the roll up of three endurance sport media and event organizing companies: Elite Racing, Competitor Publishing, and La Jolla Holding Group. The company has since added on Inside Communications and now the Las Vegas Marathon.

Endurance sports such as ultramatathons and triathlons are gaining in popularity and private equity is taking note. There have been eight endurance sport related companies that have been acquired by private equity in the past two years. Providence Equity Partners recently acquired World Triathlon which it plans to build and develop using its experience from its other media and sports investments.