A popular international streaming service is looking to make inroads in the United States, as the Wall Street Journal is reporting that DAZN is in “advanced talks” to purchase Main Street Sports Group, holder of a number of regional sports networks around the country.
According to WSJ reporter Lauren Thomas, the acquisition by the UK-based streamer would then be able to merge the two companies’ streams. Main Street Sports Group, formerly known as Diamond Sports Group, owns the regional sports networks currently under the FanDuel Sports Network banner.
Why DAZN Is Looking To Take On Struggling RSN’s
DAZN’s reach is felt throughout the world, but a large majority of its influence is felt in the European and Asian markets. In the United States, their rights are currently limited to boxing and MMA broadcasts, plus various European soccer leagues and the UEFA Champions League. Purchasing Main Street would give DAZN the broadcast and streaming rights to 29 teams in Major League Baseball, the NBA, and the NHL that currently call FanDuel Sports Network their television home.
Main Street went into bankruptcy in 2023, as more and more consumers made the decision to cut the cable cord, and emerged with a much smaller debt load this January, complete with deals with both Amazon and FanDuel. That comes with a number of teams that left the network after it failed to pay the rights fees owed and filed for Chapter 11.
Earlier this year, DAZN bought Australian network FoxTel for $2 billion, and CEO Shay Segev has said that the streaming service is considering an IPO and should be profitable in 2026. It’s unclear how the possible acquisition of Main Street Sports Group, which the Wall Street Journal said could happen in January as long as it isn’t tripped up by any potential hurdles, could affect either an IPO or profitability.
