Dear Friends,
It’s been an extraordinary third quarter for several of our dear friends, partners and family members!
Firstly, sincere congratulations to Kenn Ricci, Mike Silvestro, and Andrew Collins on the announcement of Flexjet’s plans to go public via SPAC. We’ve had the privilege of working with Directional Aviation portfolio companies since 2009…what Kenn and his leadership have built, and continue to build, is beyond extraordinary in the global private aviation marketplace.
We’re truly excited for the Island Global Yachting (IGY) leadership and team on their exciting announcement/acquisition highlighted below. We’ve worked tirelessly by their side in the creation of their IGY Trident membership program, which was an important part of their new strategy as they continue their dominance in the super yacht/mega yacht world.
We’re especially proud of our dear friend and partner, Kevin Warren, the Commissioner of the Big Ten. We’ve had the privilege of being by his side for many years. The new media deal is extraordinary and historic. Sincere congrats to Kevin and his leadership team for navigating an extremely difficult few years to achieve such a wonderful result.
A big shout out to Mike McCarley and his leadership team at TMRW Sports for their groundbreaking announcement. We’re thrilled to be part of his family and team at 25 Madison. We’re confident TMRW Sports will redefine and reinvent the next generation of golf enthusiasts and other sports verticals.
Lastly, we’re delighted to welcome inKind to the Axcess family. They’re changing the game for restaurateurs and restaurant hospitality groups with unique financing solutions complemented by a highly compelling restaurant gift card offering platform that is a must use in select markets around the country. Will have some unique offerings to our Axcess family from inKind in the months ahead. Additionally, I’m proud to join the board of directors of Holistic Industries. Holistic is one of the largest and fastest growing private cannabis MSO in the country. They have one of the most seasoned teams in the industry, an ever-growing “greenhouse” of brands, and a meaningful model of doing well by doing good.
As always, please feel free to reach out if there are any meaningful ways to partner with, or utilize, the various brands highlighted below.
Best,
Kirk, Brett and the Axcess Team
New Axcess Family Member
AXW Family Members in the News
FLEXJET PLANS TO GO PUBLIC VIA $3 BILLION DEAL WITH TODD BOEHLY’S SPAC
Private jet service Flexjet is planning to merge with Todd Boehly’s blank-check firm Horizon Acquisition Corp. II (HZON.N), in a deal that will value the combined company at $3.1 billion, including debt. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of next year. The proceeds would be used to fund fleet, program and geographic expansion as well as to improve maintenance support facilities and private terminals. (Read More)
MARINEMAX SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDS GLOBAL MARINA BUSINESS WITH THE CLOSING OF IGY MARINAS
MarineMax, Inc. (NYSE: HZO), the world’s largest recreational boat and yacht retailer announced that it has significantly expanded its global marina business with the completion of the previously announced acquisition of Island Global Yachting LLC. The network of marinas is further bolstered by its exclusive Trident superyacht membership program, expansive service offerings, and comprehensive yacht management platform. IGY Marinas strategically expands MarineMax’s portfolio of marinas and creates cross-sell opportunities with its Fraser Yachts and Northrop & Johnson superyacht services businesses. (Read More)
BIG TEN SIGNS HISTORIC TV DEAL FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL, RAKING IN $1 BILLION A YEAR
The Big Ten’s new $7 billion media rights deal will string the conference’s top football games across three major networks each week, creating an NFL-style television schedule on Saturdays. The Big Ten announced it has reached seven-year agreements with Fox, CBS and NBC to share the rights to the conference’s football and basketball games. The deals go into effect in 2023, expire in 2030, and eventually will allow the conference’s soon-to-be 16 member universities to share more than $1 billion per year. (Read More)
TIGER WOODS, RORY MCILROY AND MIKE MCCARLEY FORM TMRW SPORTS
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and veteran sports industry executive Mike McCarley announced the formation of TMRW Sports, a company focused on building technology-focused ventures that feature progressive approaches to sports, media, and entertainment (pronounced “tomorrow sports”). The joint announcement was made by McCarley, founder and CEO of TMRW Sports, along with co-founders Woods and McIlroy. Broadcasting icon Dick Ebersol is an initial investor. (Read More)
FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY ARTS FOR ALL GALA RAISES OVER $3.9 MILLION
Festival Napa Valley’s 16th season presented an artistically diverse range of concerts and raised over $3.9 million at the Arts for All Gala. Held at the Nickel & Nickel winery in Oakville on July 17th and headlined by country music star (and wine lover) Trisha Yearwood, this year’s gala auction set a new high mark for the event, surpassing the auction’s previous record by more than $1 million. The annual event has now raised more than $19 million for cultural programming and arts education in Napa County and beyond. (Read More)
ISLAND GLOBAL YACHTING, OCEAN CAPITAL PARTNERS AND GRUPO EMPRESAS MATUTES LAUNCH NEW SUPERYACHT MARINA IN IBIZA
Following a highly competitive tender process, a consortium comprising Ocean Capital Partners, Island Global Yachting and Grupo Empresas Matutes have signed a temporary concession agreement to operate a superyacht marina in the Port of Ibiza, Spain, which will be branded IGY Ibiza Marina. Welcoming yachts this summer, the marina will provide select services to vessels between 20-120 meters. Post-summer, plans for the marina incorporate adding superyacht power up to 1600A, fiber internet, CCTV, crew facilities, modern marina office, boutique retail, and full concierge services. IGY Ibiza Marina is located 10 minutes from Ibiza’s international airport in the Port of Ibiza at the foot of the Old Town, a World Heritage Site. Marina guests have access to fine dining, shopping, and Ibiza’s world-famous nightlife and entertainment. (Read More)
MICHAEL JORDAN’S JERSEY FROM 1998 NBA FINALS GAME 1 SELLS FOR RECORD $10.1 MILLION
A piece of Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” just made history. The Chicago Bulls legend’s jersey from game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals has sold for $10.1 million, auction house Sotheby’s announced, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia ever sold and the most expensive Michael Jordan item ever sold at auction. The sale of the Jordan jersey comes in the wake of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” docuseries on Jordan’s 1997-1998 season with the Bulls, and it’s staggering to think the jersey sold for a record despite being worn during a loss. The Bulls lost game 1 to the Utah Jazz 88-85 before winning the next three games to take control of the series. (Read More)