Sports Entertainment Group
Sports Entertainment Group is an Australian sports-media and sports-entertainment business that owns and operates Sports Entertainment Network and sports-team interests.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) is an Australian sports-media, content, broadcasting and sports-entertainment company. The group is the owner and parent company of Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), a portfolio that operates sports radio and audio services, television and digital content, sports marketing and talent-management activities, and selected professional sporting franchises. Its activities extend into both Australia and New Zealand. The business developed through a succession of corporate names during the 1990s and early 2000s before operating for approximately 16 years as Pacific Star Network. Its corporate strategy subsequently moved beyond radio broadcasting and into broader sports content and commercial rights. In December 2014, Pacific Star Network acquired Morrison Media Services, the publisher of Frankie Magazine and Smith Journal. That publishing business was later sold to Nextmedia in September 2018, illustrating the group's willingness to acquire and later divest non-core media assets. A major expansion occurred in January 2018, when Pacific Star Network acquired all of Crocmedia. Crocmedia's capabilities in sports content production, rights management, sponsorship and digital distribution became central to the group's development. In September 2020, Crocmedia was rebranded as Sports Entertainment Network. Two months later, Pacific Star Network itself adopted the Sports Entertainment Group name, aligning the corporate identity with the SEN operating brand. SEG's business scope includes Sports Entertainment Network radio stations and audio products, sports broadcasting and content production, SEN Track racing coverage, New Zealand operations through SENZ, sports representation and management through Bravo Management, and other production and entertainment businesses. The group has also held or managed interests in professional basketball, netball and other sporting properties through SEN Teams. These interests have included the Perth Wildcats, Otago Nuggets, Southern Hoiho, Bendigo Spirit, Perth Lynx and the Melbourne Mavericks, as well as a Super Netball licence associated with Giants Netball. The company's sports-team strategy has changed over time. It previously held a minority interest in Melbourne United, acquired the Perth Wildcats in 2021, built a New Zealand basketball presence, and added women's basketball and netball assets. From 2024 onward, SEG reduced or restructured several team holdings, including the sale of a controlling stake in the Perth Wildcats and the transfer of the Southern Hoiho and Otago Nuggets to community ownership. These transactions indicate a shift toward reducing capital exposure while retaining participation in selected sports properties. SEG experienced financial pressure in the 2022–23 financial year. Reports cited a loss of approximately A$9.2 million and discussions with its bank concerning covenant relief. Later reporting said the company needed additional capital or new investors within the following nine months. It subsequently sold a 3.75 percent interest in its sporting-teams business, SEN Teams, raising approximately A$1.5 million from new individual shareholders. The financial situation and portfolio changes became important factors in the group's subsequent restructuring. The available reference material also reports further expansion in 2026, including the acquisition of MediaWorks New Zealand and the Giants Netball licence. These later developments would broaden SEG's presence in commercial broadcasting and elite netball, although the timing and completion of those transactions should be independently verified against current company or regulatory sources.
History
Sports Entertainment Group traces its corporate history through several names used during the 1990s and early 2000s before settling into the Pacific Star Network identity. The company retained that name for roughly 16 years while developing a media business with interests in radio, publishing and sports content. In December 2014, Pacific Star Network expanded into magazine publishing through the acquisition of Morrison Media Services. Morrison's portfolio included Frankie Magazine and Smith Journal. The transaction broadened the company beyond broadcasting, but the publishing operation was subsequently divested. In September 2018, Morrison Media Services was sold to Nextmedia, returning the group’s focus toward sports and audio media. Pacific Star Network made its most consequential strategic acquisition in January 2018 by purchasing 100 percent of Crocmedia. Crocmedia brought sports production, content creation, rights-related capabilities and commercial entertainment expertise. In September 2020, the acquired operating business was renamed Sports Entertainment Network, or SEN. In November of the same year, Pacific Star Network changed its own name to Sports Entertainment Group, creating a distinction between the parent company and its principal consumer-facing sports-media network. The group then developed a wider sports-entertainment portfolio. Its assets have included radio stations such as 1116 SEN, 693 SENQ and SEN SA, the racing service SEN Track, Sports Entertainment Network New Zealand, production businesses, sports-management operations and the AFL Record. Through SEN Teams, SEG also entered professional-team ownership and operations. It held 25 percent of National Basketball League team Melbourne United from 2018 to 2021, then purchased the Perth Wildcats in July 2021. In November 2021, a New Zealand subsidiary acquired the Otago Nuggets of the New Zealand National Basketball League. The portfolio expanded into women's and regional basketball. SEN introduced the Southern Hoiho for the first Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa season in 2022 and purchased the Bendigo Spirit of the Women's National Basketball League in April 2022. In July 2023, the group acquired a Super Netball licence that later became the Melbourne Mavericks. Basketball Australia approved SEN Teams to operate a second WNBL club in May 2024. The Perth Lynx licence was transferred to an entity owned by SEG investors Christian Hauff and Jodi Millhahn in June 2024, and SEN Teams became majority owner in December 2024. SEG chief executive Craig Hutchison later said that the timing of the Perth Wildcats transaction had prevented the group from completing ownership of the Lynx earlier in 2024. At the same time, SEG faced financial stress. Reports in September 2023 described a A$9.2 million loss for the 2022–23 financial year and discussions with the group’s bank regarding covenant relief. In November 2023, reporting said the company required a cash injection or new investors within nine months to continue operating. Before the end of that year, SEG sold 3.75 percent of SEN Teams and raised approximately A$1.5 million from new individual shareholders. The group subsequently reduced its exposure to several sports assets. In July 2024, it agreed to sell 90 percent of its 95 percent shareholder ownership in the Perth Wildcats to MT Arena Capital Investment at an estimated valuation of A$40 million. On 14 August 2024, Mark Arena acquired an initial 52.5 percent for A$21 million, leaving SEG as a minority shareholder. The planned transaction structure contemplated further payments and eventual transfer of the remaining interest. In March 2025, SEG announced its intention to leave the Southern Hoiho and Otago Nuggets after the 2025 New Zealand NBL season. On 6 June 2025, the planned transfer of both teams to local Dunedin community supporters was announced, with completion scheduled for 31 July 2025. The reference material reports that SEG had fully exited the Perth Wildcats by January 2026 after Mark Arena completed the remaining ownership tranches. It also reports an acquisition of MediaWorks New Zealand from Quadrant Private Equity, Barclay Nettlefold and John O'Neill for NZ$130 million in August 2026, together with an acquisition of the Giants Netball licence. Because these are future-dated or later-period claims in the supplied material, their completion and present status require verification from current authoritative sources.
- 2025
New Zealand basketball interests transferred
[1]Ownership of the Southern Hoiho and Otago Nuggets was transferred to local Dunedin community supporters.
- 2024
Perth Wildcats majority stake sold
[1]SEG sold an initial majority interest in the Wildcats and moved to minority ownership.
- 2023
Capital pressures become public
[1]Reporting described a significant annual loss, covenant discussions and the need for additional investment.
- 2022
Bendigo Spirit acquired
[1]SEN Teams acquired the Bendigo Spirit of the Women's National Basketball League.
- 2021
Perth Wildcats acquired
[1]SEG purchased the National Basketball League's Perth Wildcats.
- 2020
Corporate and operating-brand reorganization
[1]Crocmedia became Sports Entertainment Network, followed by the parent company's change of name to Sports Entertainment Group.
- 2018
Crocmedia acquired
[1]Pacific Star Network acquired all equity in Crocmedia, adding substantial sports-content and entertainment capabilities.
- 2014
Morrison Media Services acquired
[1]Pacific Star Network acquired the publisher of Frankie Magazine and Smith Journal.
Products and positioning
A multi-platform sports-media and entertainment group combining radio, digital content, broadcasting, commercial sports services and ownership or operation of professional sporting teams.
Sports media network · 2020
Sports Entertainment Network
Sports Entertainment Network is SEG's principal sports-media brand. It encompasses sports radio, audio programming, live commentary, digital publishing and related commercial content. The network is supported by Australian services including 1116 SEN, 693 SENQ and SEN SA, and forms the main consumer-facing expression of the group's post-2020 strategy.
Racing media
SEN Track
SEN Track is SEG's racing-focused media service. It provides audio and related sports-media coverage for horse racing and associated audiences, extending the SEN portfolio beyond general sports radio into a dedicated racing product.
Sports media network
Sports Entertainment Network New Zealand
Sports Entertainment Network New Zealand, commonly referred to as SENZ, is the group's New Zealand sports-media operation. It provides sports broadcasting and content services in the New Zealand market and has operated alongside SEG's New Zealand team investments.
Sports-team ownership and operations
SEN Teams
SEN Teams is SEG's sporting-team investment and operating business. It has held or managed interests in Australian and New Zealand basketball and netball franchises, including the Perth Wildcats, Otago Nuggets, Southern Hoiho, Bendigo Spirit, Perth Lynx and Melbourne Mavericks. Its portfolio has been adjusted through acquisitions, partial sales and community transfers.
Sports publication
AFL Record
AFL Record is a sports publication included among SEG's media assets. It provides content associated with Australian rules football and complements the group's wider sports broadcasting, editorial and commercial activities.
Brand decisions
2025
Exit from Southern Hoiho and Otago NuggetsStrategyBackground
SEG was reducing its direct ownership of New Zealand basketball teams.
Action taken
SEG announced that it would leave both teams after the 2025 New Zealand NBL season and later transferred ownership to a local Dunedin supporter collective.
Aftermath
The teams moved toward community ownership, reducing SEG's direct New Zealand basketball commitments.
2024
Reduction of Perth Wildcats ownershipM&ABackground
SEG was restructuring its sports-team portfolio and reducing capital exposure to selected franchises.
Action taken
The group sold an initial 52.5 percent of the Perth Wildcats to Mark Arena and became a minority shareholder.
Aftermath
The transaction was structured with further payments and ownership transfers that were reported as leading to SEG's eventual exit.
Reported consideration for initial 52.5 percent stake. A$21 million (14 August 2024)
2020
Adoption of the Sports Entertainment Group identityStrategyBackground
The group had consolidated its sports-content activities around the SEN operating brand.
Action taken
Pacific Star Network changed its corporate name to Sports Entertainment Group, while Crocmedia was rebranded Sports Entertainment Network.
Aftermath
The new structure separated the SEG parent identity from its principal SEN media network.
2018
Acquisition of CrocmediaM&ABackground
Pacific Star Network was seeking to broaden its media business through sports content and entertainment capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired 100 percent of Crocmedia's equity.
Aftermath
Crocmedia later became the operating foundation for Sports Entertainment Network and the group's broader sports-entertainment strategy.
Sources1 sources
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