Sports-themed publishing platform Minute Media has paid an undisclosed sum to acquire The Big Lead, a US-based sport blogging and media platform, providing an exit to media conglomerate Gannett.
Founded in 2006, The Big Lead is an online blogging platform that combines news and multimedia posts for sports including golf, football, American football, basketball, hockey and baseball.
Minute Media has taken over the management of The Big Lead’s editorial, website development, social media channels and monetisation activities.
Gannett subsidiary USA Today Sports Media Group acquired Big Lead Sports, previously known as Fantasy Sports Ventures, in a 2012 deal worth approximately $30m according to Sports Daily Business, citing undisclosed sources.
Gannett reportedly owned about 30% of Big Lead Sports prior to the 2012 deal, having previously invested an undisclosed amount in 2008.
Asaf Peled, founder and chief executive of Minute Media, said: “Our technology-first approach has allowed us to scale our owned and operated brands and we’re implementing that same approach for the digital platforms that we acquire.
“The Big Lead is the perfect complement to our current portfolio and a strategic step in Minute Media’s evolution as we look to power more brands utilising our proprietary technology.”