SportBox Entertainment Group launches with an agreement with IMG and the acquisition of Landmark Sport Group golf assets

Firm will represent eight Canadian golf professionals, including PGA Tour stars Mike Weir, Graham DeLaet and David Hearn

TORONTO, July 23, 2013 /CNW/ - SportBox Entertainment Group, a new sports management and marketing agency led by Toronto sports and entertainment executive Danny Fritz, announced its presence in the Canadian market today with two deals that will see the agency represent a portfolio of Canadian golf professionals unmatched in the last decade, including PGA Tour stars Mike Weir, Graham DeLaet and David Hearn.

Launched in May 2013, SportBox Entertainment Group was founded by Fritz, former Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Canada, and David Dubé, President and CEO of Saskatoon-based Concorde Group Corp.

"Golf is a massive part of the Canadian sports landscape and that will be the current focus of SportBox Entertainment Group, beginning with the biggest stars in Canadian professional golf today, while also having an eye on the next generation," said Fritz. "While today's announcement is an important foundation for SportBox, we look forward to growing the many business opportunities in the game for the Canadian golf industry."

IMG and SportBox have announced an agreement that will see the firms share joint management of Canadian professional golfers Mike Weir and Matt Hill through the remainder of 2013. Following his departure from IMG in May, IMG and Fritz have maintained close ties and view this arrangement as not only the best management option for Weir and Hill, but also a platform to collaborate in the future. Jim Weir, who served on the Weir management team with IMG, will move over from IMG to SportBox.

"IMG has a great deal of respect for Danny, and the job he did managing the careers of Mike and Matt while he was with IMG," said Clarke Jones, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Americas for IMG Golf. "We look forward to continuing our very close working relationship with Danny and continuing to benefit the careers of both Mike and Matt."

Through a strategic acquisition, SportBox has also secured the golf assets of Mississauga, ON-based Landmark Sport Group Inc. The acquisition will see PGA TOUR players Graham DeLaet and David Hearn, Web.com Tour professional Adam Hadwin, and PGA Tour Canada member Joe Panzeri join the SportBox roster.

"I care deeply about David, Graham and Adam, both personally and professionally," said Elliott Kerr, President of Landmark Sport Group Inc. "I love this sport and still have a passion for this business, but at this point of time in my life, it is time to focus on my family. There has been no greater reward in all my years at Landmark than the friendships we have developed and the careers we have managed and helped launch. The sport of golf is in great hands with David, Graham and Adam leading the way."

With the two deals, the agency adds to its current roster of Canadian talent, which includes rising stars in Web.com Tour professional Roger Sloan and PGA Tour Canada members Michael Gligic and Cory Renfrew.

"Danny and I both have a passion for the game of golf and for business," said Dubé. "We agreed that there is a need and an opportunity in the Canadian sports marketing industry and SportBox Entertainment Group was born out of that opportunity. Our start today, representing many of the top Canadian players in professional golf, will not only create a 'home' for Canadian professional golf but will open many doors for other opportunities in the industry."

SportBox golfers Weir, DeLaet, Hearn, Hadwin, and Sloan will play this week in the RBC Canadian Open at Oakville, Ont.'s Glen Abbey Golf Club.

About SportBox Entertainment Group: SportBox Entertainment Group is a sports management and marketing agency based in Toronto, Canada, with a focus on athlete representation, event development, and representing the marketing rights of national sports organizations and properties.

SOURCE: SportBox Entertainment Group

David Corelli, Director, Business Partnerships [phone] or [email protected]