Ringier Sports Media Group (RSMG) announced Monday it has completed its purchase of Sociedade Vicra Desportiva, including A Bola, and AutoFoco magazine, and has named Felipe Montesinos Gomez as CEO to drive the digital strategy.
In a statement, RSMG announced a “major milestone” in completing the “acquisition of Sociedade Vicra Desportiva SA, including A Bola (newspaper, digital and television publication) and AutoFoco magazine, from Vicontrol SGPS SA”, stressing that “this step marks a key step in Ringier’s growth”, “thus cementing its position for new opportunities in the sports media industry.”
The purchase of A Bola is “fully in line with our long-term vision and will further RSMG’s growth plans,” Robin Lingg, president of Ringir Sports Media Group, said in a statement.
“We firmly believe that this alliance will accelerate our progress and create a stronger and more competitive company,” and “together with the local team, we will strive to achieve even greater heights and continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers,” the official continues. , noting that “this is a unique opportunity to bring together two large organizations with a shared vision for the future” of sports media.
“The acquisition of A Bola ensures its long-term sustainability,” and RSMG “will ensure that the quality journalism that A Bola represents continues by taking the necessary repositioning steps to lead A Bola to a successful future,” he concludes.
In turn, Stilian Shishkov, Senior Partner at Ringier Sports Media Group, adds that “by bringing the iconic sports media brand A Bola to RSMG, the group demonstrates its commitment to “continue to develop a highly innovative digital sports company.”
Indeed, “this is a very important investment and a great addition to our strong portfolio of leading sports media brands. We are very pleased with what will happen in the coming months for A Bola, with great technological innovations and many new services that we will introduce to sports fans,” he concludes.
Mario Arga i Lima, A Bola’s main shareholder, said he was “satisfied” with reaching an agreement with RSMG and the Ringier family to ensure A Bola’s continuity.
“I am convinced that Ringier, along with RSMG, will continue the legacy of A Bola over the past 78 years. We are impressed with RSMG’s commitment, quality and commitment to adding value to its audience. I will be following the new chapter of the A Bola story with mixed feelings,” he emphasizes.
However, the Ringier Sports Media Group board of directors appointed Felipe Montesinos Gómez as the new managing director of A Bola.
The person in charge “has vast experience in the world of sports, ranging from a career as a professional athlete to director of partnerships for Heineken/Sagres and NOS in the sports industry in Portugal,” the company said in a statement.
“Felipe will work in partnership with former A Bola CEO Paulo Cardoso,” adds Robin Lingg, noting that the latter “will play an important supporting role in the implementation of our new strategy” and that “Bola’s leadership team will be strengthened in the coming weeks.”
In addition to the appointment of a new CEO, Felipe Montesinos Gomes, Ricardo Pérez will strengthen the A Bola leadership team with immediate effect.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.