By Melissa Kasule
DAZN Group and J.League have inked a new broadcasting deal to extend their multi contract from 2023 to 2033, worth approximately ¥239.5 billion or £1.45 billion(US$1.79billion).
DAZN and J.League launched its partnership in 2017, with the initial agreement supposed to run for 10 years through to 2026.
The new contract will see more J.League games broadcasted on terrestrial TV and grow its audience on the DAZN platform. It will also see from 2024, only the J1 and J2 leagues will be broadcasted on DAZN, while all J3 league games in 2023 will continue to be broadcast on DAZN. On top of this, the companies have established a flexible contract/revenue-sharing scheme that allows for further investment in growth.
Chairman of the Japan Professional Soccer League, Yoshikazu Nonomura “In order for the J.League to grow into a more attractive league, we have received your understanding that it is important to increase the number of free terrestrial broadcasts of matches. We are confident that increasing the number of J.League fans while making further investments will lead to the success of DAZN.In addition, we plan to change the broadcasting format of the J3 League from 2024. Free broadcasting. We will consider the optimal viewing environment for J.League, including .We were able to build a new partnership that will be a win-win for both the J.League and DAZN, so we hope that everyone will come into contact with the J.League in their daily lives. I would like to increase the opportunities to be able to do so and accelerate the promotion of our growth strategy.”
DAZN Japan EVP Manabu Yamada added, “The J.League has been one of DAZN’s most important partners since its launch, and we believe that the J.League is a very important content for Japanese sports fans. We believe that the success of the J.League is the success of DAZN Japan, and under the new leadership of both companies, we will continue to build a better relationship, actively implement various new initiatives to promote the growth of the J.League, and increase the number of fans. We will do our best to make the J.League even more exciting for everyone.”
