The US sporting goods supplier Fanatics Inc. has further expanded its presence in Europe with an acquisition. On Wednesday, the company announced the acquisition of Italian trading and merchandising company EPI. According to a statement, the newcomer will be integrated into the Fanatics Commerce division and will operate as Fanatics Italy in the future. The Italian specialist retail chain The Pitch Football Store is also part of the transaction.
Based in Milan, EPI plays a leading role in the sale of football and basketball memorabilia in Italy. As a license partner, for example, it operates the e-commerce and stationary stores of the national football association FIGC and numerous well-known clubs. These include Juventus Turin, the two top Milan clubs Inter and AC, Lazio Rome, AC Florence and Atalanta Bergamo. According to the new owner, Lorenzo Forte, the previous owner of EPI, will retain a senior position as CEO of Fanatics Italy, and the company’s other 150 or so employees will also be taken over.
Fanatics intends to expand its “growing global footprint” with the acquisition. The group, which is keen to expand and produces fan merchandise under license and offers it through its own sales channels, is already working in the European football business with clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Atlético Madrid, the continental association UEFA and the national associations in Germany, England and Belgium.
Fanatics has other partnerships in numerous sports worldwide. Just a few weeks ago, the company made headlines when it became known that it would replace the German sporting goods supplier Adidas as outfitter of the North American professional ice hockey league NHL from the 2024/25 season.