DAZN is seeking to raise at least $500M to further its "expansion efforts," according to sources cited by Soshnick, Novy-Williams & Boudway of BLOOMBERG NEWS. The subscription service launched in Germany and Japan in '16, entered the U.S. market in '18 and now "operates in nine countries." Up to now, DAZN's expansion has been supported by Len Blavatnik, who is worth $25.5B. The fundraising effort "may be a sign that he is no longer willing to solely carry the cost of broadcast rights" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 10/24).
BECAUSE I CAN'T SING OR DANCE: DEADLINE's Dade Hayes noted Sylvester Stallone's new partnership with DAZN will leverage his "creation of the 'Rocky' franchise" under the banner "One Night." The "One Night" docu-films will "look back at memorable nights in recent boxing history" such as the Andy Ruiz-Anthony Joshua bout. The "shocking win made Ruiz the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion, putting him on a Rocky Balboa-like trajectory from obscurity to stardom." More details and additional projects in the partnership will be announced in the coming months. "One Night: Joshua vs. Ruiz" will premiere Nov. 20 on DAZN and the DAZN YouTube channel, a "bit more than two weeks" before Ruiz and Joshua fight a rematch on DAZN on Dec. 7. DAZN Dir of Original Programming Deirdre Fenton will direct (DEADLINE.com, 10/24). Check out her recent interview with The DAILY here.
