iWorld
Mobile Premier League forays into the US market
KOLKATA: Esports and skill gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) on Thursday announced the official launch of the MPL App in the US. The app is now available on the Apple App Store and on Android for gamers to download.
“It is a historic moment for MPL as we launch in the USA and continue to grow our presence around the world,” said MPL co-founder and CEO Sai Srinivas. “With our proven success in India and Indonesia, combined with the soaring popularity of casual real-money skill gaming in the USA, we look forward to providing millions of players in the USA with a safe, fair and incredible gaming experience.”
MPL will provide gamers in the USA the opportunity to compete in a variety of formats, including head-to-head matches or in tournament play, with the option to participate in free competitions or for low minimums ranging from 60 cents to $6.
The first slate of quick, fun, and fast-action games includes Baseball Star, Block Puzzle, Bowling, 21 Puzzle, among others. All head-to-head match-ups will be determined by MPL’s proprietary and best-in-class player matching technology. For any games with real cash prizes, players need to be at least 18 years of age. MPL has deployed security features within the platform to ensure fairplay.
MPL’s headquarters in the USA will be in New York. The company’s foray into the USA comes on the back of successfully completing two years in the Indonesian market as a leading gaming platform. MPL recently hit five million registered users in Indonesia and offers over 30 games on its platform.
MPL recently acquired esports company Gaming Monk in India to strengthen its esports portfolio and to scale up esports tournaments and live streaming. MPL organised the first edition of its College Premier League in November last year, with over 13,000 gamers from 100 colleges participating, and the live stream of finals was watched by millions of viewers on MPL’s social media handles. The company aims to scale such tournaments even further in India and Asia this year.
MPL is backed by marquee investors such as Sequoia Capital, Moore Strategic Ventures, SIG, Pegasus Tech Ventures, Founders Circle, Telstra, Composite Capital, MDI, Go-Ventures, RTP Global, Base Partners, among others. The company has raised $225.5 million in funding till date, and is valued at $945 million.
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
