BERWYN, PA — Playfly Sports has officially announced the acquisition of Paragon Marketing Group, a top-tier sports marketing agency renowned for its expertise in brand consulting, event creation, content development, and television broadcasting. This acquisition marks a pivotal step in Playfly’s growth trajectory as it seeks to enhance its capabilities and expand its presence in the sports marketing landscape.
Paragon, originally founded in 1995 as Halo Sports, manages over 500 partnerships annually with high-profile clients, including Gatorade, Pepsi, Chipotle, and UCHealth. Over the years, the agency has built a stellar reputation for its innovative approach to sports, music, cultural arts, and content platforms. Notably, Paragon has collaborated with ESPN since 2002, producing more than 1,300 high school sports broadcasts that have spotlighted future stars, including Heisman Trophy winners, NBA All-Stars, and NFL Pro Bowl players.
The group’s portfolio also features more than 20 developed and licensed sports properties, including the High School Showcase and Basketball Nationals. Additionally, Paragon operates the @sportscenternext social channels, boasting over six million followers, and manages EYBL Scholastic, a high school basketball league in collaboration with Nike.
Playfly CEO Craig Sloan underscored the synergies between the two organizations, stating, “Paragon’s vast experience and impressive client portfolio align seamlessly with Playfly’s mission as a revenue maximizer for partners. Together, we will elevate our capabilities to serve brand partners and teams across all levels of sports.”
The acquisition includes the formation of Paragon Sports Marketing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Playfly Sports, which will handle marquee events, youth sports media platforms, and brand consulting services from its Chicago office. Founding partners Rashid Ghazi and Julie Simmons will lead this division, with Ghazi serving as President and Simmons as Head of Operations.
Ghazi expressed his enthusiasm for the merger, noting, “This is a transformative opportunity for both companies. Moving under Playfly’s umbrella will expand opportunities for our partners and solidify our shared vision for the future of sports media and marketing.”
Simmons echoed the sentiment, reflecting on Paragon’s legacy of firsts, from groundbreaking programs to highlighting young athletes. “This next chapter with Playfly allows us to expand our passion and creativity to wider audiences while continuing the mission that has driven us from day one.”
Paragon’s team members will integrate into Playfly Sports’ units, including Playfly Consulting, Playfly Premier Partnerships, and Playfly Creates. The combined expertise of the two entities is set to redefine the sports marketing space, leveraging Paragon’s heritage of innovation and Playfly’s expansive infrastructure.
This acquisition positions Playfly Sports as an even stronger leader in the industry, combining decades of expertise, an expansive partner network, and a bold vision for the growth of youth, high school, and professional sports media. The collaboration promises to unlock new opportunities for brands, athletes, and audiences, shaping a dynamic future in sports marketing.
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