Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), through its sports investment arm, is in advanced discussions to invest at least $1 billion in DAZN Group, the sports streaming service owned by billionaire Len Blavatnik. DAZN holds broadcasting rights for several top European football leagues.
The potential deal would involve PIF acquiring approximately a 10% stake in DAZN, valuing the company between $10 billion and $12 billion, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Discussions have been ongoing since late 2023, with PIF seeking to expand its influence in European football, where DAZN is a broadcasting partner for Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s LaLiga, Germany’s Bundesliga, and France’s Ligue 1.
In October 2024, PIF stated it was not engaged in discussions with DAZN and had no plans to invest in the company. However, recent reports indicate that talks have progressed, and a deal could be announced as soon as this month. Final terms are yet to be finalized and could still change.
Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in global sports to diversify its economy. PIF’s sports investments include ownership stakes in English Premier League club Newcastle United and several Saudi Pro League teams. The Kingdom has also hosted major sporting events, such as boxing matches in Riyadh and the Supercopa de España in Jeddah.
DAZN, based in London, has been expanding its global presence in sports broadcasting. In December 2024, DAZN secured a $1 billion deal with FIFA to broadcast the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup globally. The tournament is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 15, 2025, featuring clubs like Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Representatives for PIF and DAZN have declined to comment on the ongoing discussions. As the situation develops, further details are expected to emerge regarding the potential investment and its implications for both parties, Bloomberg reported, quoting people familiar with the matter.
