Fanatics acquires Fexpro as it looks to expand presence in Latin America
Digital sports platform Fanatics has acquired Fexpro, a leading wholesaler of licensed sports and branded apparel serving Latin America.
Fanatics said the move will expand its presence in the region, strengthen its capabilities and allow its partners to benefit from Fexpro’s local expertise and infrastructure, product design experience, and retail distribution network.
With headquarters in Panama, 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 international football clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, as well as sportswear brand Umbro.
Fexpro will join Fanatics’ brands division within Fanatics Commerce, although all of the company’s 100-plus employees will continue to report to Fexpro chief executive Alberto Bassan.
Joe 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.”
Meanwhile Bassan will now report to Monahan and will continue to focus on growing the wholesale business in the region. Additional growth opportunities will include rights expansion, in-market sales and increased manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
Bassan said: “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.”
Earlier this year, Fanatics acquired Italian omnichannel sports retailer EPI, which operates the retail and third-party logistics for many of Italy’s leading football clubs, including Inter Milan, Juventus, A.C. Milan and the Italian National Football Team.
