Thrill One launches, combining Nitro Circus, SLS and Superjacket

Sports investment firms The Raine Group and Causeway Media have partnered to launch Thrill One Sports & Entertainment.

The new company will combine extreme sports production companies Nitro Circus, Street League Skateboarding (SLS) and Superjacket Productions. Thrill One claims it is the world’s largest independent action sports operator and media company.

Leading the new company will be CEO Joe Carr, who previously served as senior executive at the UFC and World Surf League.

The company said that in addition to the three brands already under its banner, it will look to launch additional properties and pursue “strategic additions.”

Carr said: “This groundbreaking alliance combines three prized brands into a single entity, transforming what has historically been a fragmented landscape into the biggest platform in action sports. Action sports are enjoying a renaissance right now with Olympic inclusion in 2020, the democratization of media and the worldwide fanbase at an all-time high.

“I look forward to working with our athletes and talented management team to drive organic growth in our existing businesses while also identifying potential M&A opportunities and complementary IP.”

Nitro Circus runs a range of motocross events, while SLS is the world’s leading street skateboarding competition series and Superjacket is a production company producing action sports TV shows.

Travis Pastrana, co-founder of Nitro Circus said: “At Nitro Circus, we have the amazing opportunity to work with the best athletes, content creators and technical geniuses in the business, reaching fans worldwide. Now, by teaming up with SLS and Superjacket to create this game-changing team, we can pull our resources together with the unified goal of growing the fun and progression of action sports on a global level.”

Dyrdek, CEO of venture studio, Dyrdek Machine (the group responsible for founding both SLS and Superjacket) said: “Capturing mind-blowing content is essential to everything we do. Whether it’s the elite competition of SLS or the outrageous antics of Ridiculousness, audiences of all ages are drawn to it. Now, by joining forces with this influential group of athletes, brands and investors, Joe and team are set to take Thrill One to a whole new level.”

Thrill One has more than 30 events scheduled for 2020, will produce over 100 hours of live sports and create over 175 episodes of original programming.