Japan: DAZN extends J.League TV rights with new "profit-sharing model"

DAZN has extended its audiovisual rights to the top three Japanese divisions (Meiji Yasuda J1 League, Meiji Yasuda J2 League, and Meiji Yasuda J3 League) and to the playoffs between the different divisions in the Japan Professional Football League (J-League) for an additional two years until 2028, announced the OTT sports platform on 25/08/2020.

"The agreement pioneers a profit-sharing model that enables the J.League to reap the rewards of DAZN's ongoing growth in Japan whilst reducing DAZN's fixed annual fees to the league throughout the extended term. The deal is inspired by the maturation of the commercial model between music labels and online music streaming services and, as seen for a number of years in the music industry, benefits all parties involved," said DAZN.

This new agreement would thus include a fixed amount of JPY223.9 bn (€1.7bn) over 12 years (2017-2028) versus JPY210bn over the 2017-2026 period, according to Japanese media reports. Perform Group (since divided into two entities, including DAZN) acquired these rights for 10 years (2017-2026) on 20/07/2016.

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