British studio Fulwell 73 is merging with LeBron James’ Springhill Company prodco, forming a new combined entity in the entertainment industry.  

Expected to close before the end of the year, the deal will see Springhill’s talent and operations move from the company’s Hollywood headquarters to Fulwell 73’s offices in LA, New York and London. (Fulwell will also break ground on a new film and TV production hub in Sunderland, England later this year.) Springhill co-founder Maverick Carter and Fulwell’s managing partner Leo Pearlman will serve as co-CEOs of the as-yet-unnamed company. 

No money is changing hands as a result of the merger, but Springhill’s shareholders have agreed to contribute an additional US$40 million in capital to the newly formed company to fund its growth.

While both Springhill and Fulwell are best known for producing unscripted and branded entertainment, this move will allow the enlarged company to become a stronger player in live events, films and commercials, say Carter and Pearlman. Springhill’s credits in the kids and family entertainment space include the feature film Space Jam: A New Legacy and 2D-animated series The LeBrons (23 x 22 minutes), while Fulwell produces docuseries Clutch: The NBA Playoffs and Captains of the World. 

Carter adds that the deal has been in the works for nearly a year, since he met with Fulwell 73 co-founder Ben Winston for a casual dinner where the two executives began to plot out how their companies could complement one another and overcome difficult market conditions.