The ownership group behind On3 has reached an agreement to acquire Rivals, the pioneering digital platform in recruiting, high school sports, and fan communities, from Yahoo Sports.
The acquisition will merge two of the most prominent names in college and high school sports media, forming a network that aims to serve millions of fans and student-athletes nationwide. Together, On3, led by CEO Shannon Terry, and Rivals will offer comprehensive coverage of college sports, recruiting, and the rapidly evolving name, image and likeness (NIL) landscape.
“Rivals is an icon in college sports and recruiting media,” Terry said. “We’re excited to build on the momentum behind Rivals, which has a longstanding legacy as the most recognized brand and author of the recruiting industry. We look forward to taking Rivals to new heights with significant new investment focused on recruiting, high school sports, and passionate college fan communities.”
As part of the deal, Yahoo Sports will take an ownership stake in the parent company of On3 and will also receive a seat on the company’s board. Furthermore, Yahoo plans to leverage its vast distribution capabilities and editorial network to support On3 and Rivals in expanding their content and subscription businesses.
Subscribers to both On3 and Rivals will gain access to premium content across the combined platforms, significantly increasing the value of each subscription and enhancing the overall fan experience.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
Terry also emphasized the renewed collaboration with Yahoo Sports.
“We’re thrilled to be working with the Yahoo Sports team again,” he said. “From the start, it was clear both parties saw tremendous value in a partnership. Yahoo Sports has world-class distribution, a strong editorial platform, and an expansive content network that will play an integral role in the continued growth of On3 and Rivals.”
Ryan Spoon, president of Yahoo Sports, echoed the enthusiasm for the joint effort.
“Rivals has a proud legacy, a vast network, and has stood among the most respected names in college sports coverage for over two decades,” Spoon said. “It’s long been a cornerstone of our sports ecosystem, and together with On3, we are creating a powerful, future-forward platform that elevates athletes, energizes fans, and drives innovation across the sports industry.”
On3 will continue its in-depth college sports coverage, supported by a robust data platform and industry-leading reporting on NIL developments, the transfer portal, and fan-driven media.
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