Who owns DAZN

Introduction

DAZN is a sports streaming service that provides live and on-demand coverage of various sporting events, including soccer, MMA, boxing, and more. It was launched in 2016 and has quickly become a popular choice for sports fans around the world. However, many people may wonder about the ownership of DAZN and the company behind this innovative streaming service. In this article, we will delve into the details of who owns DAZN and the story behind its ownership.

Founding of DAZN

DAZN was founded by Leonard Blavatnik, a Ukrainian-born American-British business magnate. Blavatnik is the founder and chairman of Access Industries, a multinational conglomerate company that deals with various industries, including natural resources, chemicals, media, and telecommunications. He is known as one of the wealthiest people in the world, with an estimated net worth of $27.9 billion as of 2021.

In 2014, Blavatnik acquired Perform Group, a British sports media company, for $1.4 billion. This acquisition formed the foundation for what is now known as DAZN. Blavatnik saw the potential in the sports streaming market and believed that there was a demand for a platform that could offer live and on-demand sports content to fans around the world.

Current Ownership

As mentioned earlier, DAZN is owned by Access Industries through its subsidiary company, DAZN Group. In 2019, DAZN Group was split into two entities: DAZN Media and DAZN Perform. While DAZN Media deals with the business side of DAZN, including advertising and sponsorship opportunities, DAZN Perform is responsible for the sports streaming service itself.

Access Industries has invested heavily in DAZN, with the aim of expanding its global reach and offering a top-notch sports streaming experience to viewers. In April 2021, Access Industries committed an additional $2.5 billion to DAZN, bringing its total investment in the company to over $4.2 billion. This shows their dedication to the growth and success of DAZN.

Notable Partnerships and Investments

In addition to its ownership, DAZN has also secured partnerships and investments from various companies over the years. In 2018, Perform Group sold a 10% stake in DAZN to the Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten for $600 million. Rakuten also holds a stake in FC Barcelona and the Golden State Warriors, indicating their interest in the sports industry.

In 2019, DAZN signed a five-year deal with Matchroom Boxing, which is one of the world’s leading boxing promotion companies. This partnership has allowed DAZN to offer exclusive coverage of major boxing events to its subscribers.

Most recently, DAZN secured a partnership with Verizon, a leading telecommunications company in the United States, to distribute its streaming service in the country. This partnership will allow Verizon customers to access DAZN for an additional cost on their monthly bills, helping DAZN expand its reach in the US market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DAZN is owned by Access Industries, a multinational conglomerate company, through its subsidiary DAZN Group. The company has made significant investments in DAZN, showing its commitment to the success and growth of the sports streaming service. Additionally, DAZN has secured partnerships and investments from other notable companies, further solidifying its position in the sports industry. With its unique approach to broadcasting sports events, it is safe to say that DAZN has a bright future ahead.

The History of DAZN

DAZN is a subscription-based, over-the-top streaming service that specializes in sports content. It was first launched in 2016 by the London-based media company Perform Group, with a focus on providing live sports coverage to fans around the world.

The company initially started as a digital sports content provider, offering highlights and replays of various sporting events. However, with the rise of streaming services and the increasing demand for live sports coverage, DAZN quickly pivoted to focus on live streaming and acquired the rights to various major sporting leagues and events in different countries.

Today, DAZN is available in over 200 countries and offers live and on-demand streaming of a wide range of sports, including but not limited to football, basketball, tennis, boxing, and MMA.

Perform Group: The Original Owner of DAZN

Perform Group, now known as Stats Perform, is a sports data and technology company that was founded in 2007. It was owned by the British private equity firm Access Industries until 2019 when it was acquired by Vista Equity Partners.

As previously mentioned, Perform Group launched DAZN in 2016 as a subsidiary of the company. At the time, the streaming service was only available in select countries, including Germany, Japan, and Austria.

Under the ownership of Perform Group, DAZN made significant strides in expanding its reach and securing broadcasting rights to top sporting events. It also developed partnerships with major media companies, including beIN Media Group, Sky, and Eurosport, to provide its services to a wider audience.

In 2018, Perform Group announced that it would be rebranding as DAZN Group, with the streaming service being its core business. However, just a year later, the company announced that it was selling its controlling stake in DAZN to another media conglomerate.

Access Industries: The Interim Owner of DAZN

Access Industries is a multinational industrial group owned by businessman Len Blavatnik. It acquired Perform Group in 2013 for an estimated $1 billion. With the acquisition, Access Industries took over as the majority owner of DAZN.

During its ownership, DAZN made significant investments in acquiring the rights to major sporting events worldwide. It also expanded its services to other markets, including Canada, Brazil, and the United States. However, Access Industries´ ownership of DAZN was short-lived.

In March 2020, Access Industries announced that it would be selling its majority stake in DAZN to a consortium led by investment firm Bruin Sports Capital and private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners.

The Current Owners of DAZN: Bruin Sports Capital and RedBird Capital Partners

In March 2020, Bruin Sports Capital and RedBird Capital Partners acquired a 50.1% stake in DAZN, with Access Industries retaining a minority stake. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Bruin Sports Capital is a New York-based global sports media, marketing, and branded lifestyle company. It was founded in 2015 by George Pyne, a former president of IMG Sports and Entertainment. RedBird Capital Partners is a growth equity firm that invests in consumer, sports, and media companies. It was founded in 2014 by former Goldman Sachs partner Gerry Cardinale.

Under their ownership, DAZN has continued to expand its reach and secure broadcasting rights to various sports leagues and events globally. In 2020, the streaming service announced that it would be expanding into more than 200 countries worldwide, including the United States and Australia. This expansion makes DAZN the first-ever global live sports streaming service.

In conclusion, DAZN has come a long way since its launch in 2016. From being a subsidiary of Perform Group to being owned by Access Industries and now Bruin Sports Capital and RedBird Capital, the streaming service continues to grow and evolve, providing sports fans with access to live and on-demand content from around the world.