Fathead Acquired by Group of Former Professional Athletes
Transaction Description
Fathead is a well-recognized, 17-year-old direct to consumer online retailer of custom, life-sized, precision-cut vinyl wall graphics and cardboard cutouts that revolutionized wall art. Since its founding in 2006, the Company gained global recognition for its innovative and top-quality products, including decals of officially licensed sports team logos and athletes to different characters from movies, TV shows, and video games. The Company lets customers celebrate and display their fandom with over 650 officially licensed sports and entertainment images from fan-based organizations like: NFL, Disney, Marvel, NBA, NCAA, MLB, Nascar and more. Customers can also create custom graphics by uploading their images or selecting from a marketplace of freelance artists who sell their designs through the company.
Transaction Details
Fathead Holdings LLC
Los Angeles, CA
Acquired
Fathead
A leading online retailer of custom, vinyl wall graphics and cutouts
Detroit, MI
JW&Co advised Fathead
Transaction Overview
Fathead was acquired by a group of former professional athletes led by Chris Hetherington. Chris is a former professional athlete who was a fullback in the NFL and played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Indianapolis Colt, the Carolina Panthers, the St. Louis Rams, and the Oakland Raiders.
Challenges
The seller wanted a fast exit due to the need to focus on another opportunity, but he also wanted to maximize the value of the business and get an all cash deal. Because of Fathead’s brand recognition, there was a lot of interest in the company. As a result, the buyers had to react quickly and submit a competitive offer, and simultaneously arrange financing in order to win the deal.
Solutions
Jackim Woods & Company ran a competitive process for Fathead, and was able to adhere to the seller’s abbreviated timeline. This required daily contact, including nights and weekends, with the buyer and seller to provide the buyer with the information they needed to act quickly and submit a competitive proposal that was acceptable to both parties. The key to getting the deal done, was constant communication and ensuring a mutual alignment of both parties goals and objectives.
Summary
We are proud to have played a role in ensuring Fathead’s future success. The buyer has assembled a seasoned management team has put together an impressive strategic growth plan to transition Fathead from a novelty printing company to a disruptive fan engagement platform and multimedia channel.
