ESPN continues to build up their international portfolio following the acquisition of ExtraCorp Pty. Ltd, owners of Australia’s largest sports tipping and fantasy games platform in footytips.com.au.
Launched in 1997, the website offers social tipping competitions for 20 of the biggest sports in Australia, including the Australian Football League and the National Rugby League.
ExtraCorp employs 15 people, who will join the ESPN family in Australia. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Social tipping is integral to the fabric of the Australian sporting landscape,” said Mike Morrison, vice president and general manager ESPN Asia Pacific. “Footytips.com.au is an extremely popular tipping platform that combines innovative social media functionality, an innate understanding of the Australian sporting culture and the value of bragging rights to sports fans and their friends. On the business side, this acquisition brings a team of talented people and technologies that will help us further enhance our leading digital position in Australia and the Pacific Rim and will be a great enhancement to our global digital leadership.”