SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
DAZN Group has finalised acquiring ELEVEN Group businesses, seeking to enhance its European football portfolio and in turn broaden its footprint in sports broadcasting.
As well as offering local sports content in Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Canada, US and UK, DAZN adds Belgium, Portugal and Taiwan to its list of territories.
Belgium includes the domestic football league (Jupiler Pro League) as well as other international content. Portugal holds ‘key international football rights’, such as the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, and Taiwan has local baseball.
Shay Segev, CEO DAZN Group, commented: “Today is a big moment as we officially welcome ELEVEN and Team Whistle to the DAZN family.
“This acquisition is an important element for our continuing growth – acquiring top quality rights, expanding in new markets in Belgium, Portugal and Taiwan, and developing our social reach and engagement by bringing Team Whistle’s network and expertise to DAZN.”
Furthermore, the group has also revealed that it has taken over US-based social media creative agency, Team Whistle.
US-headquartered Team Whistle will utilise its social reach and strategy to help DAZN develop its engagement with new and existing audiences.
The company will also leverage DAZN’s rights to create ‘off-platform value, build audiences and drive fans towards its paid-for services and content’.
The acquisition comes as DAZN targets a stronger foothold in global sports entertainment, having last year launched its DAZN Bet sportsbook, with the UK becoming its first market.
By launching the operator, DAZN sought to ‘refresh the casual betting market’ by creating a more recreational, sociable, and relevant experience for sports fans.
In December, Italy’s online gambling marketplace welcomed the platform as it launched the sportsbook service powered by Bet Class Italia SRL.
Named a key market of DAZN since 2018, the OTT platform has operated its on-demand streaming service, featuring exclusive coverage of all Serie A and UEFA Champions League matches.
