Nifty Games Raises $38M to Expand Mobile Sports Games

Nifty Games closed $38 million in new funding to bring its short-form mobile sports games to a broader audience.

The California-based mobile app developer secured $26 million in a Series B round, plus an additional $12 million in a connected debt financing.

The round was led by Vulcan Capital, which is chaired by Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers chair Jody Allen. Boston Celtics managing owner Steve Pagliuca participated in the round, as did Courtside Ventures, March Gaming, and Defy Partners.

• The company announced licensing deals with the NBA and its player association, as well as with the NFL and NFLPA, in April.
• Its “NFL Clash” and “NBA Clash” games debuted this year. The titles are set to launch in the U.S. later in 2021. 
• Nifty raised a $12 million Series A round in April.

The company’s investors include team owners from MLB, MLS, NHL, as well as esports leagues, per TechCrunch. Its short-session games offer a contrast to more involved ones such as “Madden NFL 21” and “FIFA 21.”

Nifty said it would use the new funding to create new sports-themed games and grow its staff. The company opened a Chicago office in July 2020.