Businesses

2007 Overview

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Lagardère Sports continued its development strategy, begun in 2006, with the acquisition of IEC In Sports. Its policy of organic growth and acquisitions has enabled Lagardère Sports to strategically position itself at the core of the sports economy and to strengthen its leadership position in the sporting-rights market.

In 2007, Lagardère Sports not only absorbed the activities of Sportfive but also undertook a policy of diversification aimed at establishing a solid position in the field of sporting-event rights management.

This policy resulted in a number of acquisitions. In the tennis world in particular, the group acquired PR Event, organizer of the ATP tournament in Bastad, Sweden. In terms of large international sporting events, the group acquired German company Upsolut, which organizes the Tour of Germany (cycling), in December 2007, and the Hamburg Triathlon.

Lagardère Sports is now venturing into the world of motor sports with the June 2008 launch of the world’s biggest rally raid, which will follow a course from St Petersburg to Beijing.
Lagardère Sports and its subsidiaries were also successful in consolidating their existing positions in 2007 with the signing of a number of major contracts, including naming rights for the Hamburg stadium, renewal of rights for the African Cup of Nations, and renewal of its contract with Olympique Lyonnais football club.