Fanatics acquires Fexpro to expand business in Latin America

Fanatics, a global digital sports platform and provider of licensed sports merchandise, has completed its acquisition of Fexpro, a leading wholesaler of licensed sports and branded apparel serving Latin America. Headquartered in Panama with a presence across Latin America, Fexpro is a preferred licensee for several major US sports leagues in Latin America, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. The business also works with “top” international soccer clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, as well as sportswear brand Umbro. According to Fanatics, its addition of Fexpro significantly “strengthens the organisation’s capabilities and footprint across Latin America and its partners will now benefit from local expertise and infrastructure, strong capabilities in product design, and a comprehensive retail distribution network across the region”. Fexpro will join the Fanatics Brands brands division within Fanatics Commerce, and all the company’s 100-plus employees will continue to report to CEO Alberto Bassan. With the acquisition, Bassan will now report to Joe Monahan, global president of Fanatics Brands. Fexpro will integrate into Fanatics Brands, with a continued emphasis on growing the wholesale business in the region. Additional growth opportunities will include rights expansion, in-market sales and increased manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Earlier this year the company acquired Italian omnichannel sports retailer EPI, which operates the retail and third-party logistics for many of Italy’s leading football clubs, such as Inter Milan, Juventus, A.C. Milan and the Italian National Football Team. Speaking on the deal, Monahan, global president of Fanatics Brands, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Fexpro to the growing Fanatics family. Alberto and the team have built a strong wholesale business that complements many of Fanatics Brands’ capabilities that have been scaled globally over the past decade. “Fexpro has a proven track record of strong distribution capabilities across multiple channels and retailers in the region, reaching more than 2,400 retail doors throughout Latin America. The company provides Fanatics with a solid framework for additional wholesale growth as we continually look to expand our international footprint, for the benefit of our global partners and sports fans around the world.” Bassan, CEO of Fexpro, added: “This deal marks a fantastic opportunity for us to further grow our business and better serve our partners, with the support of a global company that has continually innovated for sports fans over the past decade. “Fanatics has transformed the way quality fan gear and apparel is designed, manufactured, and delivered through its innovative vertical commerce model. With access to Fanatics’ capabilities, global infrastructure, and unparalleled relationships across the world of sport, we will be able to provide value for our partners like never before.”