DAZN has emerged as a global powerhouse in sports streaming, often dubbed the “Netflix of Sports.” Since its launch, it has disrupted traditional broadcasting by offering live and on-demand sports content to millions of worldwide subscribers.
But who owns DAZN, and how did it become a dominant player in the sports media landscape?
DAZN (pronounced “Da-Zone”) was launched in 2015 to disrupt traditional sports broadcasting.
It initially debuted in Japan, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, offering coverage of major domestic and international sports leagues like the Premier League and J-League. Since then, it has become a powerhouse of sports streaming.
The history of DAZN’s ownership
DAZN’s story begins with Perform Group, a UK-based digital sports content company founded in 2007 by Simon Denyer and John Skipper. Perform Group specialized in sports data, betting services, and media rights, laying the groundwork for DAZN.
In 2015, Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries acquired Perform Group for £702 million, recognizing its potential to pivot into direct-to-consumer streaming The Guardian – Access Acquires Perform.
The birth of DAZN (2016)
DAZN launched in August 2016 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Japan. It targets sports fans with a subscription-based, over-the-top (OTT) streaming model. Access Industries funded this venture, leveraging Perform Group’s infrastructure and expertise.
The name “DAZN” reflected its ambition to be the destination for sports enthusiasts. Early leadership included Denyer as CEO and Skipper, a former ESPN executive, who joined in 2018 to spearhead U.S. expansion.
Expansion and ownership shifts (2018–2022)
DAZN’s rapid growth required significant capital. Access Industries poured billions into securing high-profile sports rights—boxing (e.g., Canelo Alvarez), soccer (e.g., Serie A, La Liga), and NFL games—making it a global contender.
By 2019, DAZN split from Perform Group, which was restructured into two entities: DAZN Group (streaming) and Stats Perform (data services). Access retained ownership of both but focused investment on DAZN.
In 2022, DAZN acquired Eleven Sports Group from Andrea Radrizzani for an undisclosed sum, integrating its soccer and niche sports content portfolio. The move did not alter ownership but deepened DAZN’s operational ties with influential sports figures.
Who owns DAZN today?
DAZN is primarily owned by Access Industries, a privately held industrial conglomerate founded and led by billionaire Len Blavatnik. Blavatnik, a Ukrainian-born British-American businessman, has been the driving force behind DAZN since its inception in 2016.
Access Industries holds the majority stake in DAZN Group Limited, the parent company overseeing the streaming service’s global operations.
However, DAZN’s ownership structure has evolved, incorporating minority stakeholders and strategic investors.
In February 2025, a significant development reshaped DAZN’s ownership landscape: Surj Sports Investment, an arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund (the Public Investment Fund, or PIF), acquired a 10% minority stake in DAZN for approximately $1 billion.
The deal marked a milestone in DAZN’s expansion, aligning it with Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports. Despite this influx of capital, Access Industries retains control, with Blavatnik’s vision steering the company’s direction.
Other minority shareholders have contributed to DAZN’s journey. For instance, Andrea Radrizzani, the Italian entrepreneur and former Leeds United FC owner, became intertwined with DAZN through its 2022 acquisition of his Eleven Sports Group.
While Radrizzani does not hold a direct ownership stake, his appointment as an executive director on DAZN’s board underscores the interconnected web of sports media tycoons influencing the platform.
In December 2024, DAZN announced it would acquire Australian pay television provider Foxtel from News Corp Australia and Telstra in an AU$3.4 billion deal.
The sale, among other assets, will give DAZN control of Foxtel’s Fox Sports networks and Hubbl streaming business. That also includes competing OTT service Kayo Sports.
However, the sale is expected to be completed in mid-2025. Once completed, it will change DAZN’s ownership, with News Corp and Telstra taking 6% and 3% stakes in DAZN, respectively.
Here’s a snapshot of DAZN’s ownership as of February 2025:
- Access Industries (Majority Owner) led by Len Blavatnik
- Surj Sports Investment (Minority Stakeholder) with a 10% stake via Saudi Arabia’s PIF
- Historical investors like Liberty Global who shaped early funding.
DAZN operates as a private entity under DAZN Group Limited, headquartered in London, UK. It has no public stock offering, meaning ownership details remain closely guarded compared to publicly traded companies.
Global reach and expansion
DAZN operates in over 200 countries, making it one of the largest digital sports broadcasters globally. It has secured broadcasting rights for numerous high-profile events across regions:
- Europe: Exclusive rights to Serie A (Italy), Bundesliga (Germany), La Liga (Spain), and Ligue 1 (France).
- North America: NFL Game Pass (Canada) and Major League Soccer (MLS).
- Asia-Pacific: J-League (Japan) and cricket tournaments.
- Middle East & Africa: Co-exclusive rights to Riyadh Season events in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to live sports streaming, DAZN has expanded into adjacent industries like e-commerce, gaming, ticketing, and merchandise sales.
How DAZN operates today
DAZN operates as a subscription-based OTT platform, delivering live sports, replays, and original content to over 200 countries.
Unlike traditional broadcasters, it bypasses cable and satellite, streaming directly via apps on smart TVs, mobile devices, and gaming consoles. As of 2025, DAZN boasts millions of subscribers, though exact figures remain private due to its non-public status.
DAZN’s revenue hinges on monthly and annual subscriptions, with pricing varying by region (e.g., $19.99/month in the U.S., €29.99/month in Germany). It also experiments with pay-per-view (PPV) events, particularly in boxing, and has explored ad-supported tiers in select markets.
Losses have been steep—estimated at $1.5 billion annually in recent years—due to high rights costs, but the Saudi investment and cost-cutting measures signal a push toward profitability.