Mumbai: Sports marketing pioneer and entrepreneur Ravi Krishnan today announced the launch of Abler Sports & Entertainment (ASE, pronounced ‘ACE’) — a new-age, IP and data-driven enterprise designed to redefine the sports, media, and entertainment ecosystem. With a distinct focus on global sport and popular culture—including music, fashion, food, and lifestyle—ASE aims to support ambitious rightsholders, brands, and celebrities who are underserved by traditional industry players.
Krishnan, former Managing Director of IMG India/South Asia and former Vice Chairman of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, shared the strategic intent behind ASE, “We are launching ASE to capitalise on several ‘rising tides’ including the recognition of IP in creating enterprise value, the growing relevance of India and emerging markets for rightsholders, brands and celebrities with global ambitions, the significance of women’s sport and the rise of sportainment, and or as we refer to it, the ‘festivalisation’ of sport through its convergence with other forms of popular culture including music, fashion, and food.”
Peter Hutton, media veteran and former CEO of Eurosport and Fox Sports Asia, also voiced his endorsement, “I’m very happy to see the scale of their ambition and their original take on doing business in an evolving ecosystem. I believe ASE is building something very unique in helping bring the world to India and taking India to the world.”
Backed by a high-caliber investor group and advisory board boasting over 300 years of collective experience in media, technology, sports, and private equity, ASE’s leadership includes industry stalwarts such as Mike Dolan (Former Chairman, IMG and CEO, Bacardi), Jim Glover (Former Deputy Chairman, CSM), Prapti Anand (Former APAC Leader, Fondation Chanel), and Ashutosh Srivastava (Former CEO APAC, GroupM).
Krishnan added, “We are humbled that some of the industry’s most experienced, successful and reputable have joined us as investors and advisors to help us positively disrupt an industry at multiple inflection points. We are building an enterprise that operates at the intersection of content, community and commerce.”
ASE’s Engage Division is powered by Stepathlon, a fan engagement and data platform founded by Krishnan, already trusted by top-tier clients like Manchester City, Gujarat Titans, and the upcoming 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The platform focuses on data-backed engagement, turning passive audiences into measurable, actively engaged communities.
Krishnan sees ASE as a natural progression in a three-decade-long journey of building transformative IPs, “There is no truly global organisation that can create, compete and collaborate across both developed and emerging markets, be a bridge between the analogue and digital and deliver value to all stakeholders in an industry that is undergoing seismic shifts in consumption, commerce and creativity, increasingly impacted by data and AI.”
Operating across India, UK, US, and Australia, ASE spans six key verticals:
- ASE Engage (Fan Engagement & Data Platform)
- ASE Alive (Events & Experiential)
- ASE Advisory (Market Entry, Brand, Revenue & Raise)
- ASE Partnerships (For Brands, Rights Holders & Celebrities)
- ASE Media (Non-Live Content & Platform-Native Storytelling)
- ASE Consumer (Licensing & Merchandising)
Before its official launch, ASE has already secured five international deals across three divisions, with a growing pipeline of blue-chip clients.
One of its flagship clients is Destination Sport Group (DSG), a global leader in sports travel. James Robinson, Global Business Development Director at DSG, shared, “Partnering with ASE has been the right decision. As a truly global organisation with an extensive and impressive network of contacts, ASE brings a unique depth and breadth of expertise to the table. Their professionalism, diligence, and attention to detail have been exceptional and they have proven to be a trusted and invaluable ally.”
Investor Josh Liberman, Co-founder and Chairman of CVS Lane Capital Partners and Founding Partner of Lumir Ventures, also expressed his confidence, “ASE’s emphasis on data-driven strategies and IP development is both distinctive and forward-looking. Ravi stands out as a compassionate and visionary leader who I have had the privilege of knowing personally and professionally. ASE’s understanding of India and the wider region is a key differentiator which marries well with their global ambition and capabilities.”
Veeru Murugappan, from the renowned Murugappa Family and Founder of Coromandel Productions, added, “I have known Ravi for close to two decades now and have been an admirer of his work. He understands storytelling and crafting narratives as well as anyone in this industry.”
With a bold vision, seasoned leadership, and a cross-continental presence, ASE sets out to shape the future of sport and entertainment by creating differentiated, IP-led, and culturally resonant experiences.
