Streaming platform DAZN has exited its deal in Brazil for the Copa Sudamericana competition, following on from the news that it has dropped the Italian Serie A from its programming output in the South American country.
The news, which was first reported by Maquina de Esporte in Brazil, comes as a result of trading conditions following the Covid-19 pandemic.
DAZN had agreed a deal in 2018 to acquire the rights to the Copa Sudamericana for a four-year cycle between 2019 and 2022. The deal was agreed directly with Conmebol, not FC Diez Media, the joint venture between the IMG agency and DAZN Group. It was created to handle global commercial rights related to the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, for which it guarantees Conmebol, the South American Football Federation, a fee of $350m (€294.2m) per year, from 2019 to 2022.
It is understood that this may not be the end of the relationship between DAZN and Conmebol, however, with sources indicating that the two parties could renegotiate the terms of the deal.
DAZN has sought several renewed financial arrangements across the territories in which it operates.
One such measure was its decision to exercise a clause to exit its Italian Serie A contract in Brazil. The OTT platform also sought a restructuring of its payments for its package of domestic Italian Serie A rights, which was eventually resolved in late June.
DAZN’s Brazilian portfolio now includes basketball’s Eurloeague (until 2023), the Brazilian Serie C football league and the Paranense State Championship.
To boost brand awareness in Brazil, DAZN is now expected to broadcast one Serie C match per match week on its YouTube channel.
