Deal marks another important step in DAZN’s ambition to serve sports fans wherever and however they choose to experience sport
Global sports entertainment platform DAZN is looking to further accelerate its expansion across the United States with an agreement to acquire EverPass Media.
Founded in 2023 by 32 Equity and RedBird Capital Partners, EverPass is a media and technology platform that partners with rightsholders, distribution partners and business owners to unlock access to premium live events and drive business growth.
Following completion of the acquisition, EverPass’ technology will serve as the foundation for DAZN’s next generation of commercial venue distribution.
EverPass will formally rebrand to DAZN for Business, becoming a dedicated media platform serving bars, restaurants, hotels, and other commercial venues across the world.
EverPass CEO Alex Kaplan will continue to lead the business as well as take on a larger role within DAZN, while RedBird Capital Partners, 32 Equity and TKO Group Holdings will become minority shareholders in DAZN.
“This is an important step in DAZN’s journey to become a global home of sport,” said DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev. “EverPass Media gives us a proven commercial distribution platform, deep relationships across US venues, and an attractive portfolio of premium rights that perfectly complements our growing US business.
“DAZN can now serve every type of customer in the US – from individual sports fans using the DAZN app to commercial venues looking to provide the best possible viewing experience for their customers.
“We are excited to welcome RedBird, 32 Equity and TKO as shareholders in DAZN. With RedBird’s track record of building and partnering with category-defining businesses – combined with our years-long, successful relationship with NFL – we are in a strong position to accelerate our vision and play an increasingly meaningful role in the US sportsmarket.”
EverPass has the exclusive commercial distribution rights for NFL Sunday Ticket, which includes every live out-of-market Sunday regular-season afternoon NFL game.
In addition to NFL Sunday Ticket and other NFL content, EverPass provides commercial venues with access to programming from leading sports leagues and competitions, including the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NWSL, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, MLS, Formula 1, college football and basketball.
EverPass also has distribution partnerships with Peacock, Netflix, Paramount and Apple, as well as YES Network and Chicago Sports Network.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with DAZN through this acquisition and continue to work with EverPass and DAZN to deliver the best NFLST experience to the commercial marketplace,” said NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder. “Together, we will continue to expand reach for commercial NFL Sunday Ticket and deepen engagement in a key segment where fans gather for NFL football.”
Gerry Cardinale, founder and managing partner of RedBird, commented: “RedBird and 32 Equity founded EverPass as sports content continues to move to streaming while many businesses remain tied to legacy distribution.
“EverPass delivers a purpose-built streaming platform which will help anchor DAZN’s commercial business and US expansion. We’re looking forward to working closely with DAZN in this next phase to scale the EverPass business globally.”
TKO Group chief strategy officer Mark Zhu added: “Nothing brings people together like live sports, and EverPass helps power that experience for fans beyond the home and arena. As an early investor, TKO is excited to continue supporting EverPass in this next chapter and seeing the results this combination with DAZN can deliver for fans, commercial venue owners and partners around the world.”
Earlier this week, DAZN announced the launch of its NCAA College Sports channel, a new dedicated subscription service bringing premium US college football and basketball to fans across more than 200 markets outside the United States.
The channel has launched ahead of the start of the new college football and basketball seasons, and complementing its broader portfolio, which includes NFL Game Pass and NHL.TV.