Monday, August 17, 2026

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

Mar 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers majority owner Mark Walter and team executive Jeannie Buss in attendance at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit

In Sudden $12.5B Lakers Sale, Big Questions Remain

Why did Mark Walter flip the NBA’s crown jewel in 10 months?
May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former Disney CEO Bob Iger watches pregame warm ups before the game between Angel City FC and the San Diego Wave at BMO Stadium.

Iger, Kushner, Walter Have Sports Empires Beyond the Lakers

The three businessmen already own stakes across major sports leagues.
Aug 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Dodgers’ Late-Season Slide Complicates MLB’s Salary Cap Push

The two-time defending champions haven’t been a juggernaut lately.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.

DraftKings, FanDuel Downplay Prediction-Market Cannibalization

Traditional sportsbooks have a new set of competitors.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Jessica Pegula on the US Open, WTA Sex Testing, and More.

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Varsity Brands

Varsity Brands CEO on PE Ownership and the Business of Cheer

Varsity includes a cheerleading business and an athletic apparel division.
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Adam Schefter talks on a set before the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
July 31, 2026

Schefter Among Early Investors to Cash In on Underdog Sale

Schefter first invested in Underdog in 2021.
Huddle in the Hamptons
August 4, 2026

Why Investors Want to Bring Athletes Into Ownership Groups

LeBron James and Tom Brady have ownership stakes in multiple sports teams.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
At Five Points Sports Bar, in Levittown, Philadelphia Eagles fans watch first quarter action, in Super Bowl LVII, in Arizona, on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.
July 31, 2026

NFL Sunday Ticket Will Still Be Available by Satellite at Sports Bars

DirecTV’s previous deal expired after the 2025 NFL season.
Underdog Fantasy
July 30, 2026

Underdog Sold to U.K.’s IG Group in Potential $2.15B Deal

IG Group is making a big bet on Underdog’s prediction-market business.
Marques Colston
July 30, 2026

Marques Colston: Why Everyone Is Buying Into Soccer Clubs

Colston’s The Champion Fund invested in Ipswich Town.
Jul 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park.
July 23, 2026

Mark Cuban, Rashaun Williams Firm Buys Stake in A’s

It’s the first investment by Harbinger Sports Partners, which formed last May.