Pirates on the Field: Play Ransomware Group Strikes Professionalâs Choice Sports
A major sports equipment supplier is the latest target in a relentless wave of cyber-extortion campaigns sweeping across the globe.
Fast Facts
- Victim: Professionalâs Choice Sports, a prominent sports gear supplier
- Attacker: Play ransomware group, known for high-profile breaches
- Attack discovered: November 1, 2025, by ransomware.live
- Play group published the breach on their leak site
- Ransomware attacks on the sports sector have increased in recent years
Game On: When Cybercrime Crosses the Sidelines
Picture the hum of a packed stadium before a championship match - electric, expectant, safe. But in the digital world, the field is never truly secure. This week, the Play ransomware group stormed the gates of Professionalâs Choice Sports, a company known for supplying athletes and teams with high-performance gear. The breach was flagged on November 1, 2025, by ransomware.live, a watchdog service that tracks dark web extortion posts.
Play, a notorious cybercriminal gang, wasted no time in boasting about their latest conquest. Like pirates unfurling a black flag, they posted Professionalâs Choice Sports to their leak site - a grim warning to future targets and a call for ransom negotiations.
Who Are the Play Ransomware Group?
The Play group first emerged in mid-2022, quickly building a reputation for bold, disruptive attacks against organizations across sectors - from government agencies in Latin America to tech firms in Europe. Their signature move: encrypting victimsâ data and threatening to leak sensitive information unless a ransom is paid. The Play group is believed to be financially motivated, using a mix of phishing emails, network vulnerabilities, and stolen credentials to gain entry.
Similar to infamous gangs like Conti and REvil, Playâs tactics are ruthless and efficient. In 2023, they were linked to a string of attacks on city governments and healthcare providers, causing weeks of disruption and millions in losses. Their new focus on the sports industry signals a worrying trend: no sector is off-limits.
Why Target Sports Suppliers?
Sports companies, especially those with high-profile clients and event contracts, are tempting targets. They often handle sensitive contracts, athlete data, and proprietary designs. A successful attack can disrupt supply chains, delay events, and damage reputations - raising the pressure to pay up quickly. According to a 2024 report by Cybersecurity Ventures, ransomware attacks on sports and entertainment firms have more than doubled since 2021, with attackers exploiting outdated systems and underfunded IT teams.
In the case of Professionalâs Choice Sports, technical details remain scarce. However, Playâs usual playbook involves exploiting known software flaws or weak passwords, then locking up data and demanding payment in cryptocurrency - a digital form of blackmail. Screenshots posted by the attackers serve as proof and leverage, but the actual stolen data is rarely made public unless negotiations fail.
After the Breach: A Call for Vigilance
The attack on Professionalâs Choice Sports is a stark reminder: the digital playing field is as contested as any championship final. As cybercriminals sharpen their tactics, organizations - no matter how niche - must invest in better defenses, regular backups, and strong incident response plans.
In the high-stakes game of ransomware, there are no guaranteed winners. But with vigilance, transparency, and community awareness, the odds can tilt back in favor of the defenders.
