US private equity firm GTCR LLC has completed a $400m-plus acquisition of Montreal-based LiveBarn Inc, a live-streaming platform for amateur and youth sports across North America, according to a report by the Globe and Mail.
The deal marks the debut investment for GTCR’s newly formed Ascent Sports Group, targeting the fragmented youth and amateur sports technology market.
LiveBarn founder Farrel Miller will step down as CEO but join Ascent’s board, with COO Raymond Giroux, a former NHL defenceman, taking the helm. Existing investor Ares Management remained in the capital structure, and management rolled over equity. The transaction was overseen by Raymond James and required Canadian government approval.
LiveBarn operates a patented, fully automated system that livestreams games from over 4,000 venues, providing subscriptions and revenue-sharing with facilities. Its platform includes player-level tracking, single-game breakdowns, and social media clips, with annual revenues estimated at around $80 million at the time of the deal.
The acquisition follows a broader consolidation trend in the sports technology sector, exemplified by recent deals such as Sportlogiq’s sale to US-based Teamworks. GTCR aims to leverage LiveBarn’s technology to enhance digital engagement across youth sports leagues.
