PIF, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is reportedly exploring the purchase of a minority stake worth around $1 billion in DAZN, the sports-streaming service backed by billionaire Len Blavatnik.
If a deal is reached it could increase the fund’s influence in European football as DAZN is a key broadcasting partner for Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1.
PIF, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is part of a consortium that owns Premier League football club Newcastle United as well as other Saudi Pro League clubs including Al-Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays. It has invested billions into other high-profile sports such as Formula 1 and golf in recent years.
According to Reuters, PIF has discussed investing around $1 billion for about a 10 per cent stake in London-based DAZN – quoting a pair in the know, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Discussions between PIF and DAZN are said to have been ongoing since Q4 2023 but are not at an advanced stage.