The Latest SPAC News and Rumors: July 14, 2021

Below is a daily summary of links to the latest SPAC news and rumors gathered across the web. 

Latest SPAC News: A-Rod’s Slam SPAC in talks to merge with Italy’s Panini Group, France’s Billionaire Pinault family joins SPAC rush in Europe, and Li-Cycle and Helbiz partner to advance battery recycling in micro-mobility

A-Rod’s Slam SPAC Is in Merger Talks With Italy’s Panini Group

Alex Rodriguez’s blank-check firm Slam Corp. is in talks to merge with Panini SpA, which makes sports stickers, cards and other collectibles, in a transaction that is set to value the combined entity at $3 billion or more.

France’s Billionaire Pinault Family Joins European SPAC Push

France’s billionaire Pinault family is set to join the growing line of SPAC sponsors in Europe, aiming to raise as much as €300m for a blank-check company that will focus on the entertainment and leisure industries, according to Reuters.

The SPAC, I2PO, is being launched in Paris on Wednesday and is also backed by Centerview Partners banker Matthieu Pigasse.  It will be headed by former WarnerMedia executive Iris Knobloch.

I2PO is looking to combine with a target that has a valuation between €1bn to €2bn in areas such as music and video streaming, gaming, media services or platforms for booking travel and entertainment.

Li-Cycle and Helbiz Partner to Advance Battery Recycling in Micro-Mobility

Lithium-ion battery recycler Li-Cycle Corp. and micro-mobility firm Helbiz today announced a partnership to create a safe and sustainable recycling solution for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries used in e-scooters and e-bikes.

Both Li-Cycle and Helbiz have previously announced plans to become publicly traded companies in the United States via a merger with SPACs and have plans to expand operations in Europe.