By Tim Parsons
Matchroom’s managing director, Eddie Hearn has unveiled a “groundbreaking” US streaming deal alongside technology company DAZN worth $1bn (£740bn) at a press conference in New York City today.
Hearn sensationally announced at a press conference in Newyork, that he will be forming a new partnership with streaming platform DAZN to show 16 live events a year in the US.
The deal is worth £740m over the course of the eight-year contract, meaning each show could have an eye-watering £5.7m budget. He revealed that a further 16 shows will be broadcast on the emerging platform, which launches at the end of June in the US.
The deal will enable Matchroom Boxing USA to promote 16 fights per year in the United States. Perform Group’s streaming service DAZN will be the exclusive US broadcast partner and the fights will be broadcast by Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. In addition to the 16 US fights, the 16 fight nights promoted by Matchroom in the UK would also be streamed by DAZN, therein providing American exposure to fighters who have previously flown under the radar in the states.
At promoter Eddie Hearn presser in New York. Announces 8-year, $1 billion deal to stream fights on DAZN beginning in September. 16 shows a year. “An unrivaled rights budget,” Hearn says.
The new deal was announced at a press conference in New York and Hearn made it clear, it is “open season” for any fighters in America who aren’t currently signed to a promotion
The first show is earmarked to be broadcast on DAZN [pronounced da-zone] in September.
An excited Hearn revealed how the partnership came about today, telling reporters: “I needed a platform that would give us a huge volume of dates.
“Sixteen dates per year, starting in September, for eight years.
“Then I needed a lot of money. Artillery, we are dangerous with artillery. And now we’ve got it. One billion dollars over eight years.
RIGHTS
“We have by far, the biggest rights budget in boxing. This is open season for boxers in the US. If you’re a world class fighter, top to bottom, we want you.
“No more fighting once a year, no more waiting on the dates. We’ve got the dates, the money, the platform to give you regular championship content.
“This is wonderful news for fighters, for the sport of boxing because we’re going to have a lot of fun. We’re going to upset a lot of people.
“We’re going to be causing nightmares over here in the US promotional game and I cannot wait.”
The 16 US shows will be available to UK customers on Sky Sports.