SBRnet, Inc acquires Sporting Goods Research

Boca Raton, FL–Industry veterans Neil Schwartz and Mark Sullivan have purchased Sporting Goods Research, Inc., the comprehensive data platform of information and analysis that is the leader in the academic market. 

Sporting Goods Research was founded by Dick Lipsey in 1998 and its data is sold via subscription to more than 200 of the top university, college, and public-libraries in the country. The platform reaches more than 200,000 college students who use the data in papers, reports and case studies. 

The acquisition was made through a newly established company called SBRnet, Inc. that purchased the assets from the estate of Lipsey who passed away earlier this year. 

“Both Mark and I are excited to continue on the legacy that was built by Dick Lipsey back in the late 90’s,” said Neil Schwartz, SBRnet president. “Dick built an amazing business and served the library marketplace by creating a one-stop platform for all things sports business and sports market data.” 

The new owners plan to expand the business to include data on sports gambling, e-sports and new digital media consumption habits. SBR plans to build on its history of providing insights on fan behavior through its proprietary Consumer Brand Analytics Survey, the newest version which will be available at the end of January. “This will be the first extensive look at “Fandom in a Post Pandemic World,” Schwartz said, “as it will measure fan behaviors at a time when consumers can’t attend events in person.” 

The new owners also plan to expand the content offered on the platform to include podcasts and video. “SBRnet will create a new platform that is designed to bring the service into the 21st century and well beyond,” said “Mark Sullivan, EVP at SBRnet. “SBRnet has a treasure trove of data and we’re eager to begin promoting and sharing it with our core academic market as well as the sports industry.” 

Richard Lipsey, the son of founder of Sporting Goods Research, Dick Lipsey adds. “We are very pleased that Mark and Neil will be carrying on with the legacy that my father started back in 1998. Servicing the academic marketplace was a labor of love for my dad and after working closely with Mark and Neil, we know they feel the same way.” 

Schwartz has more than two decades of marketing and consumer research experience in the sports, fitness and active lifestyle categories. He has worked for SportScan from SportsOneSource in addition to heading the research team at the Sports & Fitness Industry Assoc. (SFIA) Neil has been a featured speaker at many industry conferences and events. He is also well respected for his work with leading financial and investment firms and top brands in the sports footwear and apparel field. 

Sullivan is a former editor and publisher in sports business, who has held senior positions at SportStyle, Sporting Goods Business, Footwear News and Golf Pro magazine. He is one of the founders of The Running Event, one of the largest B2B conferences and trade shows in the world for the running industry, which was sold to Diversified Communications in 2018. Since then, he has run a consulting business with clients in the active lifestyle business. 

Schwartz and Sullivan are also the founders and co-hosts of The Run Matters Podcast, which can be found on all major podcast platforms. 

For more information, press only: Neil Schwartz / Mark Sullivan 561-990-5590 neil@sbrnet.com / mark@sbrnet.com 

For more information on SBRnet service: www.sportsmarketanalytics.com