ELEVEN Co-Founder Marc Watson joins DAZN as CCO

DAZN has announced the appointment of Marc Watson as the group’s new Chief Commercial Officer.

The hiring follows the sports media company’s completion of the acquisition of ELEVEN Group businesses and social media creative agency Team Whistle last week, as it seeked to enhance its European football portfolio and in turn broaden its footprint in sports broadcasting. 

Watson is set to lead the rights and content acquisition strategy and drive other commercial initiatives across DAZN Group. 

He said on his new role: “DAZN’s ambition and customer proposition is hugely compelling. They are investing and developing a sports entertainment offer that is setting new standards for the way fans enjoy sport and delivering engaging and interactive products that will showcase rights holders’ content. 

“I am excited to be joining such an ambitious and committed team of like minded professionals for the next chapter of DAZN’s journey.”

Watson co-founded ELEVEN Group alongside Andrea Radrizzani in 2015 and was CEO until ELEVEN was acquired by DAZN in February 2023. In seven years, Marc led ELEVEN’s expansion into 230 markets. 

Prior to founding ELEVEN, Marc was the Chief Executive for BT’s television business, where he devised and launched BT Sport, including securing the company’s first ever Premier League rights.

Watson replaces Jacopo Tonoli, who leaves the company after what it has described as 14 successful years.

“I am incredibly proud to have been a part of the growth of DAZN,” Tonoli stated. “The opportunities to secure major rights acquisitions, such as Serie A, LaLiga, UEFA Champions League as many others, that contributed to our growth in key European markets will always be a highlight of my time here. 

“As I move on to new challenges, I am honoured to continue serving as a Special Advisor and will always cherish my time at the company.”

Tonoli held the position of CCO since the launch of DAZN in 2016, playing a strategic central role in the growth of DAZN, overseeing its major rights acquisitions, and now remains a Special Advisor to the business.

Shay Segev, CEO DAZN Group, concluded: “Marc has an impeccable track record in the sports media and entertainment sector. His experience will be invaluable to us as we continue to innovate and improve the way people around the world enjoy watching sports.

“I would like to thank Marc’s predecessor, Jacopo Tonoli, who has been with DAZN since 2008 and played a key role in developing DAZN into the extraordinary business it is today. We wish him all the best for the future.”