Bellator announced a 9-figure, multi-year deal with sport stream service DAZN on Tuesday. The deal will feature 7 exclusive stacked fight cards per year on DAZN and another 15 that will be simulcast on Paramount Network and DAZN.
DAZN will launch in the U.S. and Italy in 2018 according a press release. It is already live in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan.
“The investment will enable us to continue expanding our roster with free agents that make sense, so we can put on PPV-worthy fight cards that fans want to see. Plus, on DAZN’s worldwide platform, our fights will be seen live for the first time to new audiences around the globe,” said Bellator President Scott Coker.
The deal begins on Saturday, September 29th in San Jose as Bellator kicks off its Welterweight Grand Prix. Also, Gegard Mousasi takes on Rory MacDonald for the Bellator Middleweight Title. Also, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson takes on Wanderlei Silva in their 4th fight.
Payout Perspective:
Last month, DAZN and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing announced a deal worth $1 billion in rights fees over 8 years. The move sought to make inroads into the U.S. market. With news of the Bellator deal, its clear DAZN wants to be a player in the OTT landscape in the U.S. How will consumers react when most have tried, and no longer subscribe to UFC Fight Pass and ESPN +. Much will determine on the price point and the types of events held on the platform. For Bellator, it’s a great move
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