DAZN AND WBSC ANNOUNCE GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP
LONDON, 23 October 2024 – DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), the international governing body for Baseball, Softball and Baseball5, have announced a major long-term partnership that will see DAZN become the global distributor of WBSC content for the next eight years.
Under the new agreement, DAZN will distribute WBSC’s extensive portfolio of premium events across all available markets worldwide, including flagship competitions such as the Premier12, the WBSC World Cups and the Olympic Qualifiers. This partnership significantly expands DAZN’s global sports offering and will provide unprecedented access for baseball and softball fans across the world.
As part of the deal, DAZN will have exclusive rights in the USA to broadcast the highly anticipated Premier12 tournament, taking place this November, where fans will be able to access the action through their DAZN subscription and enjoy coverage in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. Outside of United States, DAZN will also offer Premier12 games for free across its global markets, ensuring wide accessibility and engagement with the sport.
Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to partner with the WBSC to distribute its marquee baseball and softball events globally. The combination of DAZN’s reach and WBSC’s compelling competitions will significantly elevate the visibility of these sports. We are excited to deliver a dynamic viewing experience for fans around the world, with extensive coverage and innovative features across our platform.”
Riccardo Fraccari, WBSC President, said: “We are thrilled with this new partnership with DAZN and what it means for baseball & softball fans around the world. International baseball/softball is experiencing unprecedented popularity as the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games begins and this new partnership using DAZN’s distribution expertise and network will allow more fans to enjoy the WBSC’s flagship tournament – the WBSC Premier12 – and the rest of our exciting portfolio of Baseball, Softball and Baseball5 tournaments.”
Leveraging its industry-leading and global distribution technology, DAZN will offer live and on-demand content in a flexible format, catering to both hardcore enthusiasts and new audiences. DAZN’s unparalleled reach and engagement opportunities will supercharge global recognition of the WBSC and its premier events to build a stronger connection with its growing fanbase.
The new partnership will come into effect immediately, with the Premier12 2024 as the first major tournament under the agreement. The event, scheduled 9-24 November 2024, will be a showcase of top international baseball talent, and is a critical pathway to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Notes to Editors:
Select territorial and language restrictions apply:
WBSC content will not be available on DAZN in the following territories: Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Mexico, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.
Additionally, DAZN’s coverage will not include Spanish language options in the following Latin American markets: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, and Ecuador.
