Last week, Saudi Arabia took another step in its relentless journey from the periphery of international sport to its centre. At least, that’s what the Gulf kingdom is hoping for after its latest petrodollar-fuelled outlay – a major stake in the sports streaming business, Dazn.
The London-headquartered Dazn has spent billions on broadcast rights for everything from European football tournaments to the MotoGP. It is also acquiring Australian subscription television and streaming service Foxtel, which owns Kayo Sports, from Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Telstra. Now it has found itself a new backer from Saudi Arabia, one that is even richer than its longtime bankroller billionaire Len Blavatnik.
Zoe SamiosBusiness reporterZoe Samios covers wagering and the business of sport from the AFR's Sydney newsroom. She was previously the media and telecommunications reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and covered media at The Australian. Connect with Zoe on Twitter. Email Zoe at zoe.samios@afr.com
