Acquisition Marks Key Milestone in GSE’s Extension into Live Event Production
NEW YORK, NY. – GSE Worldwide (GSE), a leader in sports and entertainment marketing and talent management, today announced the acquisition of InsideOut Sports and Entertainment (InsideOut), an event production company that owns and operates global sports and entertainment events. The acquisition marks GSE’s first entry into event production and is the third acquisition since the strategic investment from BC Partners Credit in late 2024.
Founded by former world No.1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison, InsideOut has more than 20 years producing best-in-class sports and entertainment experiences. The acquisition brings InsideOut’s portfolio of marquee events, including The Pickleball Slam, Pro Padel League and Major League Pickleball under the GSE umbrella, bolstering GSE’s capabilities in large-scale, high-profile, live event production. Venison will join GSE as EVP and Head of the newly created GSE Productions division and InsideOut’s team will continue to operate its slate of events while collaborating with GSE to scale into new markets.
The acquisition of InsideOut and its long history in racquet sports, including their founding and operating of tennis’s legendary Champions Series which included 29 former world #1 ranked tennis players, brings additional capabilities and opportunities to GSE’s tennis division, further solidifying its position as a dominant industry leader.
“Expanding into event production has been a key priority in GSE’s growth strategy, and acquiring InsideOut is a powerful move in that direction,” said Michael Principe, CEO of GSE Worldwide. “InsideOut’s proven track record of creating iconic sports and entertainment experiences perfectly complements GSE’s mission to deliver unmatched value and opportunity for our talent, brand partners, and audiences around the globe. This is an exciting time for us as we continue to pursue our aggressive growth strategy, positioning the company for the future with expanded capabilities, new verticals, and a broader platform.”
“Joining forces with GSE marks an exciting next chapter for InsideOut as we continue to provide our clients with best-in-class services with an enhanced ability to create new properties and opportunities for brands,” said Jon Venison, President and Founder of InsideOut. “We’ve built our reputation on producing dynamic, fan-first experiences, and with GSE’s scale, resources, and global reach, we’re poised to take our events to the next level. I have known Mike and his team for more than 20 years, so this partnership is a natural fit, and the future is exciting.”
Last September, GSE announced a strategic investment from BC Partners Credit which, together with Gatemore Capital Management’s continued support, enabled the company to execute on its ambitious growth plan to expand and diversify its platform and bolster its capabilities across premium events and hospitality, experiential marketing, culinary and broadcast among other verticals. The broadening of service offerings allows GSE to execute on its mission to create greater touchpoints with brands, providing full-service solutions to their marketing and production needs, while creating additional opportunities for GSE’s talent clients.
As a leading sports talent agency, GSE represents 250 top athletes across golf, tennis, and the NFL, including two-time U.S. Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau, America tennis stars Tommy Paul and Jessica Pegula, Miami Dolphin standout Jaylen Waddle, and the legendary Bo Jackson.
For more information on GSE Worldwide, please visit www.GSEWorldwide.com and follow on Instagram @GSEWorldwide.
About GSE Worldwide
GSE Worldwide is a leading sports and lifestyle marketing and management company, representing high-profile sports, broadcasting, culinary and other notable personalities in all aspects and stages of their careers. GSE further provides advisory and production solutions to brands and properties in their marketing and business objectives and manages, owns or operates unforgettable world-class sporting events. GSE is headquartered in New York and operates across the US, Europe and Latin America.
About Inside Out Sports + Entertainment
InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a Los Angeles based independent event production company founded in 2004 by former world No.1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. InsideOut either owns or operates proprietary events and promotions including the Champions Series, the Pickleball Slam, Major League Pickleball, Pro Padel League, The World Series of Beach Volleyball, and numerous customized public and private corporate outings across sports and entertainment.
SOURCE GSE Worldwide
