DAZN Group has reached an agreement to merge ViewLift, a leading provider of streaming and digital solutions for US sports content owners, into DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform. The transaction is designed to give DAZN a significant foothold in the US sports market, where it is already the primary international destination for American sports through NFL Game Pass and NHL.TV outside the United States. ViewLift’s sports clients include 15 major US professional sports teams, five Regional Sports Networks, and global sports properties including the NHL and LIV Golf, making the acquisition a meaningful entry into domestic sports distribution for DAZN. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.
ViewLift was founded in 2008 and provides end-to-end over-the-top and direct-to-consumer streaming solutions to NBA, NHL, and MLB teams, as well as partners including the NHL, LIV Golf, Versant, and Fox Sports in Latin America. The company enables rights holders and networks to launch, operate, and scale streaming products for their fans quickly and cost-effectively, with a focus on flexible monetization across AVOD, SVOD, TVOD, and hybrid models. Its deep US partner relationships and local market expertise are central to DAZN’s rationale for the deal, which is aimed at extending DAZN’s platform into a flexible B2B-to-consumer and SaaS model that allows leagues and clubs to maintain their own direct-to-consumer products while tapping into DAZN’s global reach and infrastructure.
The acquisition comes at a moment of rapid disruption in US regional sports distribution, as traditional cable-based models break down and teams and leagues seek alternative paths to reach their local and national fan bases. DAZN says the combination will offer leagues and teams seeking to reach hometown fans during this period of change a compelling and future-proof offering — one that is stronger than any other product in the market. Beyond existing partners, the deal is expected to provide up-and-coming leagues and teams with a full suite of digital solutions at a cost-effective price point, while offering larger properties the infrastructure of a proven, scaled constellation operator.
Citigroup Global Markets Limited served as the exclusive financial adviser to DAZN Group, and Rockefeller Capital Management served as the exclusive financial adviser to ViewLift. Following completion of the transaction, ViewLift will operate as a business unit within DAZN and will continue to be led by its existing executive leadership team, with the entire ViewLift staff continuing in their roles to ensure service and support continuity for clients. DAZN streams more than 140,000 live events annually and is available in over 200 markets worldwide.
KEY QUOTES:
“This announcement is an exciting step forward in DAZN’s US expansion plans. ViewLift is a superb company — it’s a profitable sports technology business led by an experienced management team with deep relationships across the US sports ecosystem. The acquisition will enable DAZN to expand both its US presence and its platform capabilities — extending beyond its direct-to-consumer offering into a scalable B2B2C and SaaS model that allows leagues and clubs to operate their own digital products while leveraging DAZN’s global reach and technology.”
Shay Segev, CEO, DAZN Group
“We are delighted to have reached this agreement with DAZN. Sports fans around the world recognize DAZN as the global home of sport. Upon joining DAZN, we’ll bring our current clients in sports, entertainment, and news even deeper solutions to meet their evolving needs.”
Rick Allen, CEO, ViewLift
