October 16 – Streaming giant DAZN is building a portfolio in Saudi media rights after acquiring the global rights to the Saudi Women’s Premier League to add to the SPL rights.
It’s the first international rights deal for the league with a commitment by DAZN to broadcast a minimum of two matches a week, with the potential for additional games to be added. The deal does not include the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region.
DAZN had recently also acquired the rights to the Saudi men’s top flight.
Aalia Abdulaziz Al-Rasheed, the head of the women’s football department of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), said: “We’re delighted to have finalised the Saudi Women’s Premier League’s first international broadcast deal with DAZN, which promises to promote the women’s game here in Saudi across global territories, thereby attracting new audiences and inspiring generations present and future.”
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but DAZN has built a strong position in the women’s football broadcast market with the Women’s Champions League as well as some domestic European leagues a part of their offering.
DAZN’s co-CEO of women’s sport Hannah Brown said: “DAZN has an unparalleled commitment to the growth and development of women’s football. The addition of the Saudi Women’s Premier League allows us to further elevate the game, and support women and girls who play and watch football.”
She added that adding the women’s rights were part of a natural process, saying that “we have been following closely the progress of the women’s game in Saudi Arabia since they launched their first national league in 2020, and we are thrilled to support the league in the next phase of its development.”
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