DAZN Restructures Leadership, Shay Segev To Be Sole CEO As Darren Waterman Joins As CFO

DAZN Group today announces the implementation of a new Group structure and some leadership changes that will enable DAZN to realise its ambitious growth and product strategy.

As of today, Shay Segev will be sole CEO of DAZN Group. Shay joined DAZN in June 2021, before which he was the CEO of Entain, a FTSE 100 company. Shay has an exceptional track record in scaling digital consumer businesses, which will be indispensable as DAZN expands its customer offering to include interactive and engaging content for fans to enjoy alongside its sports streaming service.  Shay joined Entain in 2016 when it was a small entrepreneurial business, and over the course of five years, he oversaw a phenomenal period of growth, including – most notably – the acquisition of bwin.party and Ladbrokes Coral, and establishment of BetMGM. By the time Shay left to join DAZN, Entain had become the market leader with a capitalisation of £10 billion. 

James Rushton, DAZN Co-Founder, will continue with his existing responsibilities overseeing growth in local markets, rights and content.  A 25-year veteran of the sports industry, James spent the majority of his career at Perform Group where he led many significant innovations, market expansion and revenue growth, including the launch of DAZN in 2016. 

Additionally, Darren Waterman joins as Group CFO, based in London.  Darren joins with tremendous experience from Amazon where he led the Finance team responsible for Prime Video internationally.  A world-class leader and seasoned TMT industry executive, Darren brings to DAZN a track record of successful geographic expansion, video streaming, product innovation and investment in sports, TV and movie content.  After almost four years as CFO, Stuart Epstein will continue in the role of Senior Advisor and member of the DAZN Board, enabling a smooth and effective transition of his current roles and responsibilities during the first half of 2022.

Kevin Mayer, DAZN Group Chairman, said, “DAZN has become the global leader in sports streaming in just five years and it is time to take this business to the next level. Shay’s technology background and outstanding history of delivering a strong performance culture will be hugely beneficial as DAZN introduces additional interactive fan engagement services such as betting and e-commerce for users to enjoy alongside our core offering of live sports streaming. James’ expertise in sports rights and deep understanding of the markets will ensure that DAZN continues to nurture and grow its core business. We thank Stuart for his many valuable contributions and look forward to his on-going involvement in this new capacity and we are delighted to be onboarding such strong talent as Darren Waterman.  Being able to attract such high calibre individuals is a testament to the strength of our business and our future.”

These changes come on the heels of significant global momentum at DAZN including the recent win of domestic LaLiga rights in Spain, being named Apple TV App of the Year for 2021 and reaching a record- breaking number of fans across the world. Looking into 2022, fans can expect an even deeper, more interactive experience with DAZN as the company moves forward with recreational betting, gaming, e-commerce, NFTs and tech advances in the viewing experience.

Tennis Follows PGA TOUR With Netflix Documentary Series In The Works For ATP And WTA Tours, Plus Grand Slam Tournaments

For the first time, fans will be able to share in a year in the life of some of the world’s best tennis players as they journey around the world, seeking to win on the sport’s biggest stages.   

To bring this unique immersive documentary series to the screen, Netflix has teamed up with the four Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and ATP Media beginning with the 2022 season at the Australian Open.

The series will offer an unfiltered look at life inside the competitive sport of professional tennis through the perspective of the players and their teams, in the same spirit as Formula 1: Drive to Survive and the recently announced project featuring golf’s PGA Tour. 

https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1482178750053851139?s=20

Through a historic collaboration that will take cameras behind the scenes of the two tours, the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, the series will also be the first sports program of its kind to provide an equal platform to the men’s and women’s competitors of the sport, in keeping with the equal stage they share throughout the year. 

“We are excited to continue bolstering our lineup of sports programming with this behind-the-scenes documentary series,” said Brandon Riegg, Netflix Vice President of Unscripted and Documentary Series. “Tennis is beloved all over the world, with high-stakes tournaments hopping across continents and athletes hailing from countless countries. Through this historic partnership with the four Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and ATP Media, the series will be packed with rare access and rich personal stories that are sure to draw in longtime fans and new audiences alike.” 

The series is produced by Box to Box Films (Formula 1: Drive to Survive) with James Gay Rees and Paul Martin as serving as  Executive Producers. Filming is underway now at the Australian Open. 

iSportConnect: After the announcement earlier this month that the makers of Netflix’s Drive To Survive series were taking their model to golf, tennis has clearly become another sport looking to benefit from an influx in fans from the streaming service’s giant audience. But will both of these series have the same draw as Drive To Survive?

Costa Cruises Becomes The Official Cruise Line Of The 2023 Ryder Cup

Costa Cruises, the Italian brand of Costa Group, Europe’s leading cruise company, has been named Official Cruise Line of the 2023 Ryder Cup, which will be held for the first time in Italy at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, from 29 September to 1 October 2023.

As an Official Supporter of the Ryder Cup, Costa Cruises will benefit from a range of marketing opportunities including social media content and access to the Ryder Cup’s hospitality services. As part of the partnership, Costa Cruises is also unveiling a new offer designed specifically for golf enthusiasts and their families. The new Cruise & Golf formula will allow customers to combine unique golf experiences with the relaxation and fun of a Costa cruise on board Costa Smeralda, the company’s most innovative ship.

By booking a Cruise & Golf, golf enthusiasts will have the opportunity to play at some of the most beautiful clubs in Italy, France and Spain during the cruise itineraries’ port calls. This includes Marco Simone, the official home of the 2023 Ryder Cup. The offer will be available from May 2022 on the Costa Smeralda on one-week Western Mediterranean cruises. To take advantage of the new offer, guests simply need to book a cruise and then add one of the two golf packages to their booking, which include three or four “Green Fees”.

Speaking about the new partnership Roberto Alberti, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer of Costa Cruises, said; “Our holidays are aimed at providing unique and enriching experiences, and the combination with golf fits perfectly with this philosophy. To achieve our goal of becoming the reference company in the world of golf, we have come up with a special initiative, never seen before. Our partnership with the Ryder Cup 2023, one of the most popular sporting events in the world, will allow us to reach all golf enthusiasts, while with our new Cruise & Golf formula we will offer them and their families a holiday that combines the best of golf with the best of cruising. Cruise & Golf will also help to promote the golf clubs of the countries visited and, more generally, represents an opportunity to foster local tourism, considering that 6 out of 10 passengers declare they want to return to the places visited during the cruise”.

Guy Kinnings, Ryder Cup Director and Deputy CEO of the European Tour group, added; “We’re delighted to welcome Costa Cruises to the Ryder Cup partnership family, in what is a truly unique partnership. The Ryder Cup is a full entertainment spectacle, so it felt like a natural fit to work with Costa Cruises to build out a fully rounded experience for their customers as the Ryder Cup heads to Italy for the first time.”

EFL & AELTC Director Debbie Jevans CBE Joins Halfspace Group Board

Halfspace Group, the London-based Data + Creative agency, have today announced the appointment of Debbie Jevans CBE as a member of the board.

Jevans is a former junior Wimbledon champion tennis player, having played in ten Grand Slam single draws between 1979 and 1983. Following retirement from the game, Jevans has been a major influence in the sports world including Director of Sports for LOCOG (the body behind the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games), Vice Chair of Sport England, Chief Executive of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, board member at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Trustee for the Invictus Games and Senior Non-Exec Director for the English Football League. 

Debbie Jevans was awarded a CBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List as well as the Olympic Order by the IOC. She was named the most influential woman in sport by The Guardian in 2015.

The appointment of Jevans follows the announcement of former Sport England Chairman and London Marathon CEO Nick Bitel as the new Chairman of the Board in Q3 2021.

“We are delighted to have brought Debbie onto the Halfspace board,” Said Bitel. “Having someone with her experience at the top level of sport is another indicator that the Halfspace business is continuing its rapid growth and we look forward to working with Debbie over the coming years.”

Jevans said, “I have been very impressed with the Halfspace business and the considerable ambition of the board. I am excited to get started and join the team to help the sports and entertainment industries grow.”

Vodafone Announces New Partnership With Wimbledon

Vodafone has today announced a multi-year partnership with Wimbledon as Official Connectivity Partner of The Championships and The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

Throughout the partnership, Vodafone will use its world-leading connectivity and the power of 5G to help enhance the Wimbledon experience for fans. Vodafone will use the latest in Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, 360, haptic and IoT technology to inspire fans and bring them closer to the action.

Vodafone is also working with the AELTC and the LTA to develop a new competition for grassroots players, with more details to be announced soon.

Vodafone will work with British tennis stars Tim Henman and Laura Robson to support the partnership.  They will draw on their extensive experience playing at the highest level to inspire people to reconnect with the sport and bring tennis to life for current and future fans.

Max Taylor, Vodafone Consumer Director, said “There is a huge buzz around British tennis and Wimbledon is set once again to be a high point of the summer.  We want to build on this momentum long-term by helping people get involved in the sport.

This is a fantastic opportunity for us to use our connectivity to deliver a world-class experience for fans both on and off the court. We can’t wait to get involved.”

Laura Robson, former British Number One and Wimbledon Junior champion, said “British tennis is going from strength to strength right now, and it’s so exciting to see where we could end up. I’m delighted to be teaming up with Vodafone to help encourage as many people as possible to pick up a racket.”

Gus Henderson, Commercial Director of the AELTC, said “We are thrilled to welcome Vodafone as the Official Connectivity Partner of The Championships. We are looking forward to seeing how Vodafone will create unique experiences to bring our fans even closer to the action at Wimbledon this summer. It is also very exciting to have a partner who shares our aim of promoting tennis to an even wider audience.”

The announcement builds on Vodafone’s key role as Lead Partner for the British and Irish Lions for its South Africa 2021 Tour and kicks off an exciting series of partnerships for the years ahead.

QXC Communications Launches Advanced Streaming Service To Meet Consumer Demand And Increase Subscriber Base

 NAGRA, a Kudelski Group company and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen television solutions, today announced that QXC Communications Inc., a Florida-based service provider serving Home Owners Associations (HOAs), Condo Owners Associations (COAs) and residential communities, selected NAGRA’s U.S. Streaming Solution to enable the replacement of its legacy video offering with a new fully-featured streaming service for the multi-dwelling unit (MDU) market.

With NAGRA’s experience, partnerships and technical capabilities, QXC was able to dramatically decrease its time-to-market to quickly launch an advanced OTT service set to increase consumer engagement, improve customer retention and expand QXC’s subscriber base. With the speed in which the service was made available, QXC is now able to meet aggressive plans to grow its subscribers based in Florida, as well as other U.S. resort/coastline regions and military bases across the country.

“We are a company that puts relationships first, which is why Quality of Service is a key business performance cornerstone to our continued success. With NAGRA’s unique solution, QXC is now able to offer subscribers what they demand – an incredible level of service,” said John Von Stein, QXC Communications CEO. “In searching for a partner, we demanded flexibility, speed and quality. NAGRA has delivered on all three, going above and beyond at every turn and we look forward to future opportunities to partner, innovate and expand.”

Powered by the NAGRA OpenTV Video Platform and working with partners such as Broadpeak for video packaging and CDN capabilities, the streaming solution enables QXC to deliver to its subscribers’ audio and video services via QXC’s secure network infrastructure using its own headend. In doing so, NAGRA provides QXC with flexibility for standard and hybrid cloud deployment options from a trusted industry solution provider. With a low-touch market entry proposition, this turn-key solution is designed to deliver the benefits of a tier-one solution without the hefty price tag, while enabling QXC to optimize the customer experience delivering both BYOD streaming and traditional linear programming.

“NAGRA is pleased to extend the capabilities of its US Streaming Solution to offer QXC Communications the high quality, hybrid/cloud deployment needed to serve their subscribers now and, in the future,” said Nancy Goldberg, Executive Vice President at NAGRA. “The deployment represents yet another example of the decreased time to market, cost-effectiveness and flexibility operators are looking for in offering an advanced OTT streaming solution. As we support both legacy cable operators and suppliers to the MDU market, our goal is to increase consumer engagement, improve customer retention, and help operators expand their subscriber base.”

For more information about NAGRA’s US Streaming Solution visit the solution’s web page, download our datasheet or contact NAGRA directly.

Views From The Industry: This Week In Sport & Business

iSportConnect takes a look at what the industry has been saying on some of the biggest happenings around sport and business over the past seven days.

The PGA Tour And Netflix Agree A Deal For A Documentary Series

This looks like it could be a terrific move for the PGA Tour in order to get golf into a more wider audience and capitalise on the sports documentary boom, when looking at Netflix’s Drive To Survive and The Last Dance, as well as Amazon’s All Or Nothing.

https://twitter.com/GolfDigest/status/1481324007693639681?s=20

Many were quick to point out that a large number of the world’s top golfers have signed on to be part of this new series.

Meanwhile, Scottish golfer Richie Ramsay made an important point that it will be just as interesting to see the stories of those who are not the cream of the crop and will be fighting for the livelihoods on a regular basis, such is the tough nature of the tour.

Golf journalist Geoff Shackleford was also quick to note that many players are reluctant to share on-course thoughts, so will they be more accommodating to Netflix?

The best part for Netflix is that they don’t even need to think of a new title, Drive To Survive will do just fine once again!

Novak Djokovic & The Australian Open

Novak Djokovic is once again facing deportation from Australia after his visa was cancelled for the second time by the country, he is now appealing in order to be able to compete in the event at Melbourne Park, starting on Monday.

Tim Crow gave his thoughts to BBC Radio 5Live earlier this week on how this latest controversy will affect Djokovic from a sponsorship perspective.

As this is a legal issue for Australia as a country to deal with, the ATP have steered well away from the conversation, only briefing stating the damage it could have overall.

Andy Murray tried to provide an overall perspective and look at the human side both sides of the coin as Djokovic’s second visa cancellation was announced. In better tennis news the Scot is on the verge of his first title since 2019 in Sydney this weekend.

The Renewal Of The Louvre Agreement

There was widespread positivity in esports at the renewal of the Louvre Agreement, which will see a number of major esports franchises continue to take part in ESL until 2025.

The agreement works to create stability for the ESL Pro League and ensure that all of the teams are working together in order to create the most positive commercial situation for the league and ensure continual growth.

PS. Here’s an enjoyable thread for you to end the week:

Mike Krack Joins Aston Martin F1 As Team Principal

Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team is delighted to announce that Mike Krack has been appointed Team Principal.

Prior to joining Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, Mike Krack was leading BMW’s global motorsport operation, having worked for the Munich-based company since 2014.

In that role he was in charge of BMW’s Formula E, GT and IMSA programmes, as well as its planned expansion into the new LMDh formula for IMSA & WEC, including the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Prior to that Mike worked in a senior motorsport role for Porsche. He has worked for a decade in Formula One before, for Sauber then BMW-Sauber.

Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, said:

“It is a thrill and an honour to have been appointed to the position of Team Principal of Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, and I am very grateful to Lawrence [Stroll] and Martin [Whitmarsh] for giving me such a fantastic opportunity.

“Aston Martin is one of the greatest automotive brands in the world, and to have been asked to play a leading role in delivering the on-track Formula One success that such an illustrious name so richly deserves is a challenge that I plan to embrace with energy and enthusiasm.

“I have been working in motorsport for over 20 years, and worked in Formula One with Seb Vettel in 2006 and 2007 when I was a BMW-Sauber engineer and he was the team’s test driver.

“I have huge respect for his speed and ability, and it will be fantastic to be reunited with him. Lance Stroll is a seriously fast and talented driver, too, with 100 Grands Prix starts to his name, and I am very much looking forward to working closely with him.

“Team Silverstone has always impressed me. It is full of talented people and real racers. That racer’s culture and values are what is required to succeed in motorsport – I know that and my new colleagues at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team know it, too. We will work incredibly hard. We want to win. Together, we will.”

“Mike will play a central and leading role, reporting to Martin Whitmarsh and leading our technical and operational functions, our collective aim being to fulfil our lofty ambitions.” – Lawrence Stroll, Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda and Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team.

Martin Whitmarsh, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, said:

“Mike Krack is exactly the right kind of dynamic and modern Team Principal who, working with our other senior leaders under Lawrence’s [Stroll] and my overall direction, as well as with our ever-growing staff of skilled and committed employees, will deliver the Formula One World Championship success that we at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team are so determined to achieve.

“Having worked in very senior motorsport positions at both BMW and Porsche, backed by an engineering background in Formula One with Sauber, Mike possesses a blend of experience and expertise that makes him the ideal choice for us.

“He works well with drivers, having prioritised that aspect of his role at BMW in recent years, and also with engineers, since he speaks their language.”

Lawrence Stroll, Chairman, Aston Martin Lagonda and Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, said:

“Winning in Formula One is all about bringing together the best efforts of all the principal players – drivers, engineers, mechanics, everyone – and Mike is perfectly placed to do just that.

“We are hiring brilliant new people every week. Our new factory build is coming along very well. We have a fantastic roster of superb sponsor-partners.

“We are about to embark on year two of our five-year plan, the objective of which is to win Formula One World Championships.

“All the ingredients we require are coming together. Mike will play a central and leading role, reporting to Martin Whitmarsh and leading our technical and operational functions, our collective aim being to fulfil those lofty ambitions. We are on our way.”

Discovery Agrees BBC Highlights Deal For Australian Open

Discovery, the UK rights holder for the Australian Open, has reached an agreement with BBC for the broadcaster to present daily highlights from the first Grand Slam of 2022. UK viewers can follow all the live action from Melbourne on discovery+, including access to every court and every match, Eurosport and the Eurosport App.

As part of Discovery’s comprehensive multi-platform coverage, more than 250 hours of live action will be available including all the top matches on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena however viewers choose to watch the action. The additional content on discovery+  will allow subscribers to choose from all matches – live and on-demand –ensuring they don’t miss a moment of the action.

Discovery is using the full breadth of its network to ensure every angle is covered on every platform. 

Eurosport.co.uk provide the latest news, scores and opinions from the tournament as-it-happens. This includes previews, live blogs and match reports complemented by forthright opinions from Discovery’s cast of tennis experts including Tim Henman, Jo Konta from the Eurosport Cube – its state-of-the-art, mixed-reality studio.  

The 2022 Australian Open is the first of a new 10-year partnership between Discovery and Tennis Australia. Announced in September last year, the new agreement includes all linear and digital rights to the tournament and extends Eurosport’s association with the Australian Open that first began in 1995.

Vincent Pereira Appointed As IOC Head Of Virtual Sport

Vincent Pereira has been appointed Head of Virtual Sport within the IOC Sports Department, as of 1 March 2022. Created in the framework of Recommendation 9 of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, this new position will contribute to developing virtual sport and to further engaging with videogaming communities, including leading the coordinated planning and delivery of the Olympic Virtual Series, which debuted in 2021.  

The former Global Head of Digital at Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), Vincent has more than 10 years of experience in digital and social media activities. He has managed social media for large companies such as Microsoft France and Auchan Retail International, and led digital strategies and activations for several clients while working for sport and entertainment agency LaFourmi/Solive.

“I am delighted to welcome Vincent Pereira to lead the IOC Virtual Sport team. He will help us leverage the growing popularity of virtual sport to promote the Olympic Movement, the Olympic values and sports participation, and grow direct relations with young people,” said IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell. “His broad experience in virtual sport, and digital strategies and activities, will be a great asset for the organisation and the Olympic Movement.

Vincent studied marketing and communications, and speaks French, English, Spanish and Portuguese. A lifelong sports fan, he has been a football player since his youth and played at national level.

iSportConnect: This could be seen as the next step for the IOC into a potential esports Olympics by making another strong move into this space to follow the Olympic Virtual Series. There is huge potential to event create a huge event around this so we shall wait and see how the IOC progress here.