Applied Real Intelligence (A.
R.
I.), an alternative investment platform, announced its acquisition of a controlling majority interest and an expanded governance role in Lights Out Sports. Concurrently, Dr. Zack Ellison has been appointed Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Lights Out Sports, effective immediately.
Dr. Ellison, who is also the Founder and Managing General Partner of A.
R.
I., will now lead Lights Out Sports’ strategic direction, governance, capital allocation, and execution. The investment by A.
R.
I. underscores its belief in Lights Out Sports’ potential for long-term enterprise value creation through disciplined leadership and scalable growth across combat sports, media, and digital streaming. Dr. Ellison stated, “Assets don’t scale themselves. Leadership does. There is a huge opportunity at Lights Out to grow the platform across live events, streaming TV, and partnerships to create durable enterprise value.”
Lights Out Sports, founded by NFL All-Pro Shawne Merriman, has established a notable brand in combat sports and entertainment. Under A.
R.
I.’s ownership and governance, the company plans to focus on scaling its platform with institutional discipline and a long-term value orientation.
Lights Out Sports continues to expand Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (XF), its live mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. The company recently secured a multi-year media rights agreement with ESPN, which significantly broadens its global reach. This agreement will deliver the complete Lights Out XF fight schedule in English, Spanish, and Portuguese across South America and the Caribbean via ESPN and Disney+. This partnership, alongside the upcoming Lights Out XF 30 event, is considered a validation of the brand’s expansion in live events, media, and streaming.
Professional sports, particularly fight sports, are experiencing sustained global growth. This trend is driven by expanding international audiences, increasing adoption of digital streaming, and rising demand for premium live content. Valuations across major leagues and combat sports platforms have notably increased over the past decade, reflecting the scarcity and durability of highly engaging sports properties. Fight sports benefit from a global, always-on audience; strong engagement across digital and social platforms; broad demographic and geographic appeal; and scalable economics through media, sponsorship, and live events.
Lights Out Sports aims to capitalize on these trends with a multi-platform approach that integrates live competition, content creation, streaming distribution, and brand partnerships.
Streaming television is a fundamental part of the Lights Out platform. The company operates LightsOutSportsTV.com, its proprietary live and on-demand streaming sports platform. This platform offers live sports programming alongside a growing library of on-demand content, supporting advertising, sponsorship integration, and direct fan engagement. As consumer viewing habits increasingly shift towards digital formats, Lights Out Sports identifies significant opportunities to expand its streaming footprint through original and live programming, strategic content partnerships, and deeper integration with live events and brand partners. This strategy complements third-party distribution and supports long-term enterprise value creation.
Looking ahead, Lights Out Sports plans to broaden its presence across combat sports and live-event promotions, digital streaming and media platforms, sports and entertainment collaborations, and sponsorships with leading global brands. The company anticipates substantial growth and evolution of its platform as it develops new formats, experiences, and revenue streams in sports and entertainment.
Dr. Zack Ellison brings over two decades of experience in sports, media, and alternative investments as an investment executive, board leader, and platform operator. Earlier in his career, he covered the NBA, NFL, and MLB as an underwriter at a global financial institution, working with professional sports leagues on credit, risk, and financing structures.
Applied Real Intelligence (A.
R.
I.) is a prominent alternative investment platform that provides growth capital to innovation-driven companies throughout North America. The firm’s A.
R.
I. 7S Investment Methodology™ guides its structured and active approach to financing innovation.
Lights Out Sports is a sports and entertainment platform focused on combat sports, live events, streaming media, and strategic brand partnerships. Founded by Shawne Merriman, the company operates Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (LightsOutXF.com) and its owned live and on-demand streaming platform, LightsOutSportsTV.com, delivering content and experiences to fans globally.
