Endeavor "wants to become the ESPN of niche sports," according to Jessica Toonkel of THE INFORMATION. A source said that Endeavor has "held talks with the World Surf League about "buying the rights to stream its competitions when they become available." A source also said that Endeavor is "interested in acquiring sports leagues." Sources added that the company is "contemplating ways of broadening the sports streaming offering." Internal discussions about sports expansion at Endeavor "would support its long-term effort to diversify from its roots as a talent agency." Sources said that a "more diversified business could help Endeavor go public one day." One source said, "The whole idea is, how do I get out of just being an agency and maybe go public." Toonkel noted Endeavor has "taken steps to expand in streaming, buying streaming technology provider NeuLion" for $250M earlier this year. One source said that right now Endeavor is "focused on growing NeuLion’s business of helping clients that offer streaming video." The source added that Endeavor had "no immediate plans to launch another sports offering." It is possible the company "will continue to launch streaming offerings around different sports." It could "buy more rights and add other niche sports to a service that would fall under the Endeavor brand" (THEINFORMATION.com, 7/27). The N.Y. TIMES also recently looked at streaming options around niche sports (THE DAILY).
