MAVTV acquired, to be renamed RACER Network
The lead investors behind RACER, a motorsports news source, recently announced they have acquired MAVTV and will rename the TV network RACER to create one of North America’s most diverse motorsports media platforms.
We have been partners for many years, and over time, the parties realized this made complete sense,” says RACER’s chairman of the board, Chris Dyson. “The combination makes RACER the central multi-media motorsports hub for fans and provides brands with the most comprehensive array of marketing solutions to activate their involvement in the sport and its adjacent sectors.”
CJ Olivares, president of MAVTV and former executive of FUEL TV, Street League Skateboarding, and World Surf League, will continue overseeing the network’s expansion and will lead the brand’s transition.
The combination will provide the California-based RACER brand with a substantial additional base of operations in another of the United States’ motorsports and automotive centers, Indianapolis, where MAVTV is located. The company expects no changes to staffing or operations, ensuring continuity in operations and production.
“This is an exciting day for motorsports media,” says Olivares. “We are deeply grateful to the Lucas family and Lucas Oil Products, whose support and vision shaped MAVTV into the success it is today. Now, under the RACER banner, we will redefine the way content for motorsports and its adjacent sectors is delivered and experienced, and establish the largest, most comprehensive motorsports media platform in North America.”
The TV network and recently launched APP will combine to broadcast 300+ live races in 2025, along with race highlight shows, racing talk shows, additional racing programming, collector auctions, and build shows for automotive and powersports segments.
“Since we completed our capital raise last September, our business, our content offering, our marketing solutions and our team have evolved rapidly. Additional signals of our change and our future are literally days away, and we can’t wait to share those with the marketplace, as well,” adds RACER founder and CEO Paul Pfanner. “This acquisition fortifies two of the four strategic pillars we’re pursuing as a brand, pillars we call ‘follow’ and ‘market’, which relate to amassing the largest motorsports following in North America.”
The rebrand from MAVTV to RACER will take place progressively over the next few months, allowing for the necessary television logistics and operational steps to be executed seamlessly. However, some branding elements, such as logos and digital assets, will change immediately to reflect the new brand identity. This approach ensures no disruption for viewers, partners, and stakeholders while delivering an enhanced motorsports media experience.
“What started as grassroots grew into something much bigger: a home for motorsports fans, car lovers, gear heads, people like us who live and breathe the culture. The network’s expansion and evolution over the years will always be one of our greatest success stories and a reflection of our love for motorsports and its people,” remarks Morgan Lucas, CEO of Lucas Oil, who adds that Lucas Oil remains deeply committed to motorsports, continuing to support drivers, teams and racing series through sponsorships, technical partnerships and unmatched product research and development. “We take immense pride in what MAVTV has become, and we are excited for RACER to lead the network into its next chapter, building on its strong foundation to elevate the standard of motorsports broadcasting for fans everywhere.”
Source: RACER
