• Loading stock data...
Friday, November 22, 2024

DAZN Gets Help in Serie A Bidding War

Alex Brooks – Front Office Sports

Negotiations for Serie A broadcast rights may be coming to a close as DAZN receives reinforcements.

The British streaming company has an agreement with Telecom Italia — the largest phone carrier in Italy — that would back its $1.02 billion bid by 40% annually, per Bloomberg.

In addition to payments of $414 million per year, Telecom would also provide distribution and technological support in the deal.

DAZN is currently competing against Sky, a subsidiary of Comcast, for broadcast rights to the Italian soccer league’s next three seasons. Amazon dropped out of the race last month.

The financial support from Telecom is huge because DAZN lost nearly $2 billion last year, forcing the company to scale back its U.S. and Latin America ambitions.

“DAZN is hanging on to Germany and Italy as key markets and in both it is trying to carve out a competitive position,” said Claire Enders, founder of Enders Analysis. 

Serie A was set to bring in $2 billion from the sale of 10% of its new media company to a private equity consortium including CVC Capital Partners, Advent International and Italian fund FSI.

The deal could be off the table as it needed approval from 14 of the 20 teams in the league to go through, and seven clubs banded together to block the sale.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Auburn Tigers 17-7.

Vandy QB Pavia Sues NCAA for 2 More Years of Eligibility

Diego Pavia beat Alabama. Can he beat the NCAA’s eligibility rules?

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
Feb 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Team King defender Savannah Harmon (15) scores against Team Kloss goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

PWHL Will Add Two Teams in Expansion Move

Possible new sites include Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Quebec City.
Running back Kalel Mullings (20) celebrates a touchdown against USC with teammates during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

House v. NCAA Lawyers Amend Settlement to Address Concerns About Boosters and NIL

Judge Claudia Wilken had concerns about the definition of the word “booster.”
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

What’s Next for Hapless Jets?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
A photo of Around the Horn's set

‘Around the Horn’ to End 23-Year ESPN Run in 2025

ESPN had reportedly been thinking of canceling the show since the summer.
Nov 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers play during the second half at TD Garden.
November 20, 2024

Cavs vs. Celtics Draws Big TV Numbers in NBA Cup Showdown

The game averaged 1.94 million viewers and peaked at 2.7 million.
November 21, 2024

NBA Legend Hubie Brown Stepping Away From ESPN at 91

Brown has been associated with the league for over 50 years.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 20, 2024

NFL Ratings Hold Strong Through Election Season, Chiefs Lead TV Pack

In 2016, NFL ratings fell 8% from the prior year.
November 20, 2024

Comcast’s SpinCo: New Home for USA Network, Golf Channel, Sports Rights

The move by NBC Sports’ parent company reflects how dramatically the linear television business has changed.
Nov 18, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center.
November 19, 2024

Will NBA Flex Last-Place Sixers From National TV Games?

Philadelphia is 2–11, tied for last in the NBA.
November 19, 2024

Bills’ Dethroning of Chiefs Draws Highest TV Ratings of NFL Season

The massive rating continues Kansas City’s dominance as the NFL’s No. 1 TV team.