Sir Len Blavatnik’s DAZN is in talks to buy rival Eleven Sports.
The Financial Times reported the story Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the details. DAZN and Eleven both declined to comment.
Eleven has acquired rights to show Formula One in Poland, the Uefa Champions League and Premier League in Portugal, and Ligue 1 in Belgium.
Eleven Sports was founded by Italian businessman Andrea Radrizzani, who also owns Leeds United. In addition to the streaming business, the Eleven portfolio also includes documentary maker Neo Studios and digital marketing company Team Whistle. Radrizzani previously owned the sports rights business MP & Silva.
In February, DAZN Group received a recapitalisation of $4.3 billion from its billionaire investor Sir Len Blavatnik. Prior to that Access Industries, Sir Len’s principal holding company, and leading shareholder in DAZN had lent $1.05 billion to the company during the year and a further $1.05 billion to cover operational activities.
DAZN was also wrong-footed in its bid to acquire BT Sport, by a last minute entrance from Discovery.
