GTCR-backed Ascent Sports Group acquires LiveBarn

Goodmans LLP acted as Canadian counsel to Ascent Sports Group, a company backed by GTCR LLC, in connection with its acquisition of LiveBarn, a Montreal-based provider of live and on-demand video and analytics for ice hockey and other sports across North America.

The acquisition of LiveBarn represents Ascent’s first investment and a foundational step in its strategy. Ascent was established in January 2026 as a Leaders Strategy partnership between GTCR and CEO Gary Swidler. 

GTCR is a Chicago-based private equity firm.