Westport in pounds 18m MediaOne deal

Westport in pounds 18m MediaOne deal

RICHARD THOMPSON and Chris Akers, the erstwhile supremos of Queen's Park Rangers and Leeds United, teamed up again yesterday when Mr Thompson's Westport Group announced the reverse takeover of MediaOne International in a deal worth around pounds 18m.

The Melbourne-based MediaOne, established in 1991 by Jeff Chapman and specialising in sports programme distribution and development, will retain a 72 per cent equity stake in the new group, which will be named Sportsworld Media Group. Mr Akers, who will be a non-executive director of the new venture, is understood to have brokered the deal between Mr Thompson and Mr Chapman.

Thompson Associates is expected to liquidate its 15 per cent shareholding when the reorganised shares hit the market in December. Mr Chapman will have a 65 per cent controlling interest.