Global sports broadcaster DAZN has acquired London-based streaming innovator Eleven.
When completed, the deal for Eleven – which featured on our SportTech 50 ranking in 2021 and has revenues of $300 million a year and growing – will see DAZN become the broadcaster of top football leagues in Portugal and Belgium.
Eleven Group’s businesses will also complement DAZN’s existing market-leading positions in Italy, DACH and Spain, where DAZN holds top tier domestic football rights.
Eleven was founded by Leeds majority owner Andrea Radrizzani, who serves as the company’s chairman.
“We have developed a successful sports media company in the last six years with Eleven, and we’re delighted that this journey continues,” he said.
“The merger will provide greater opportunities as a group to continue to build a global destination for sports fans, which was our mission from day one.”
Upon completion of the deal, Radrizzani will join DAZN’s board as an executive director.
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DAZN is seeking to build a single platform for fans to access a library of live and on-demand content, analysis, highlights, merchandise, ticketing, gaming, and betting.
The acquisition of Team Whistle, also an Eleven-owned media business, will enable DAZN to reach younger audiences, diversify and expand its fan engagement capabilities. Team Whistle is ranked within the top 10 US media sports properties, generating around five billion views per month across social platforms.
Eleven also plays a key role in FIFA’s OTT service FIFA+, supporting the production, delivery, and distribution of live games from over 90 FIFA Member Associations.
The combined companies will also create the world’s biggest portfolio of women’s football content as Eleven boasts women’s content drawn from across six confederations, adding to DAZN’s roster of UEFA Women’s Champions League, Liga F in Spain, the English FA Women’s Super League and the Women’s FA Cup and Japanese WE League.
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Marc Watson, CEO of Eleven Group, said: “We see DAZN as the future of digital sports broadcasting and the ideal home for Eleven.
“Sport is global entertainment and joining with DAZN will be transformative, allowing us to access greater economies of scale and a global platform for our talented team.”
Shay Segev, CEO, DAZN Group, added: “The acquisition adds scale to our business. It is a big step forward in our mission to be the leading global sports platform.
“I have a great deal of respect for what Andrea, Marc and the team have achieved and look forward to working with them as we further expand our ambitions.
“Together we form the strongest and most credible management team in the sector.”