Thursday, April 23, 2026
FOS Expands to TV More Details

DraftKings Invests In Vivid Seats SPAC

  • DraftKings is investing in a SPAC that is set to take Vivid Seats public.
  • The company has already made $1.7 billion in investments this year.
draftkings_logo_on_wall
DraftKings/Design: Alex Brooks

DraftKings is buying into Horizon Acquisition Corp., a SPAC on the verge of taking Vivid Seats public.

The sports betting giant is taking on part of the commitment made by Eldridge Investments, a firm founded by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Todd Boehly. Eldridge is also an investor in DraftKings.

  • The SPAC merger, agreed to in April, values the combined company at around $1.95 billion.
  • The transaction will provide $769 million in cash and stock to Vivid Seats, $225 million of which will come from a private investment in public equity (PIPE). DraftKings is participating in the PIPE.
  • DraftKings is purchasing stock in the SPAC at $10 per share. It has the option to sell shares back to Eldridge at $9.77 per share a year after the merger is completed.

DraftKings has piled up around $1.7 billion in acquisitions this year, primarily from its $1.6 billion purchase of Golden Nugget Online Gaming in August. 

It also acquired sports betting broadcast network VSiN in March, iGaming company BlueRibbon in April, and legal-tech company LinkSquares in July.

Sports betting operator Entain is mulling a $22.4 billion acquisition offer from DraftKings.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

An overall look at the newly opened MGM Grand Detroit sports betting & entertainment venue called BetMGM Sports Lounge at its casino in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

‘Purely Gaming’: Inside the Tribal Fight Against Prediction Markets

A California tribal leader tells FOS “we have the truth on our side.”

Bettors Target ‘Microbets’ With Suits Against FanDuel, DraftKings

Plaintiffs’ losses range from $170,000 to more than $1.8 million.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts with third baseman Max Muncy (13) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the eleventh inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.

Bipartisan Bill Wants Sports Banned on Prediction Markets

It’s the latest indicator that prediction markets have gone mainstream.

Mets Chase Dodgers With $370M Payroll and Mounting Expectations

The MLB club enters 2026 with renewed optimism despite last year’s disappointment.

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.

Want to Own a 100-Year-Old Austrian Soccer Team for $500?

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
John and Louis Antonelli
exclusive
April 13, 2026

Chernin Group Leads Funding Round in Social Box Score App ‘Real’

The app combines live stats and play-by-play with a social media experience.
April 16, 2026

How Taylor Swift’s Catalog Led Her Former Label Boss Into Sports

Scott Borchetta profited greatly from the sale of Swift’s masters.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
Jack Nicklaus speaks to media prior to the start of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2025.
March 27, 2026

Jack Nicklaus Re-Acquires Nicklaus Companies After Lawsuit

Nicklaus takes back ownership of marks like the iconic Golden Bear.
Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark dribbles up the court against Team USA during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on July 20, 2024.
February 3, 2026

Fund Backing Women’s Sports Raises $250M and Counting

Jason Wright oversees a fund that has secured $250 million.
January 28, 2026

CVC’s New Sports Business Buys Into $300M Equestrian Company

Global Sport Group bought a controlling stake in Equine Network.
Puma store
January 27, 2026

China’s Anta Eyes World Domination With $1.8B Puma Deal

Anta is now the largest shareholder in both Puma and Amer Sports.