As it continues to scale its U.S. business, DAZN is acquiring EverPass Media, which distributes a portfolio of sports rights to commercial establishments, with the venture’s previous backers, RedBird Capital Partners, TKO Group Holdings, and the NFL’s 32 Equity arm, becoming minority shareholders in the sports streaming powerhouse.
The acquisition powers the launch of DAZN for Business, combining DAZN’s sports portfolio and commercial reach with EverPass’ U.S. streaming and technology capabilities to serve bars, restaurants, hotels, and other commercial venues worldwide. Alex Kaplan, CEO of EverPass, will continue to lead the business and take on a larger role within DAZN.
EverPass was founded by 32 Equity and RedBird Capital Partners in 2023. It holds the exclusive commercial distribution rights for NFL Sunday Ticket, which includes every live out-of-market Sunday regular-season afternoon NFL game. This summer it sealed a deal with DIRECTV to provide distribution of NFL Sunday Ticket via satellite and streaming. EverPass also distributes English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NASCAR, PGA Tour, MLS, Formula 1, and other sports to commercial establishments. It also has distribution partnerships with Peacock, Netflix, Paramount, and Apple as well as YES Network and Chicago Sports Network.
Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, said, “This is an important step in DAZN’s journey to become a global home of sport. EverPass Media gives us a proven commercial distribution platform, deep relationships across U.S. venues, and an attractive portfolio of premium rights that perfectly complements our growing U.S. business. DAZN can now serve every type of customer in the U.S.—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 U.S. sportsmarket.”
Hans Schroeder, EVP for media distribution at the NFL, added, “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. 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 at RedBird Capital Partners, added, “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 U.S. expansion. We’re looking forward to working closely with DAZN in this next phase to scale the EverPass business globally.”
Mark Zhu, chief strategy officer at TKO Group Holdings, noted, “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.”
