DAZN Acquires ViewLift to Accelerate U.S. Expansion and Target NBA, NHL Rights

DAZN, the London-based streaming service, has acquired OTT platform ViewLift in a strategic merger designed to strengthen its position with North American professional sports leagues, and teams. The move is a direct attempt by the streaming giant to shed its image as an outsider in the United States and establish a firmer foothold in the complex landscape of local media rights.

Industry sources indicate the sales price for ViewLift was approximately $100 million, with the deal expected to close by the end of June. This acquisition comes at a critical juncture for the sports media market, as a significant number of NBA and NHL franchises seek new broadcast solutions for the 2026-27 season.

Targeting the Local Media Vacuum

The primary driver behind the acquisition is a window of opportunity created by the exit of 20 teams—13 from the NBA and seven from the NHL—from the Main Street Sports Group. These franchises are currently searching for local broadcast solutions, and DAZN is positioning itself as the primary alternative.

Timing is a critical factor in these negotiations. Many of these teams are looking to formalize their media deals before or shortly after the May advertising upfronts, placing immediate pressure on the newly formed DAZN-ViewLift entity to convert its pitches into contracts.

A Two-Tiered Strategy for Teams

According to ViewLift co-founder and CEO Rick Allen, the company is offering the 20 available teams two distinct paths for their local broadcasts. This flexible approach allows teams to choose between a low-risk infrastructure play or a high-guarantee financial partnership.

The first option, known as “ViewLift Classic,” focuses on the technical and monetization side of the business. Under this model, ViewLift powers and monetizes a team’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) app without providing a minimum financial guarantee. This allows teams to maintain more control over their brand and digital presence although leveraging ViewLift’s established OTT technology.

The second option is a more aggressive streaming subscription model led by DAZN. In recent pitch meetings, sources say DAZN has offered minimum guarantees ranging between $8 million and $15 million. To build local traction in NBA and NHL markets, DAZN’s proposed model involves simulcasting 10 to 15 games on a local over-the-air (OTA) channel or placing 10 to 15 games behind a paywall.

Proven Infrastructure and Client Reach

By acquiring ViewLift, DAZN inherits a portfolio that already includes 15 major U.S. Professional sports teams, five Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), and various global sports and entertainment properties. This existing footprint provides DAZN with immediate operational experience in the U.S. Market.

ViewLift’s current client list demonstrates its ability to handle high-profile sports properties. Current partnerships include:

• Altitude+: Powering the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.
• Monumental+: Powering the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.
• NESN 360: Powering the Boston Red Sox.
• Space City Home Network+: Powering the Houston Rockets and Houston Astros.
• Chicago Sports Network app: Powering the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, and Chicago White Sox.

Financial Stability as a Competitive Edge

In a volatile media environment where regional sports networks have faced significant instability, DAZN is leveraging its scale to reassure hesitant team owners. The company is positioning its financial depth as a safeguard against the risks associated with smaller media groups.

“This is an enormous $16 billion, 4,000-person company,” Rick Allen said of DAZN. “Nobody has to worry about the Main Street punch. The [DAZN] checks cash, they will always cash. The backing for this company is astounding.”

This emphasis on financial reliability is intended to contrast DAZN with previous partners who may have struggled with the economic pressures of the RSN model. By combining ViewLift’s technical agility with DAZN’s capital, the company aims to present a “comprehensive solution” for local media rights that balances digital innovation with financial security.

What’s Next for the U.S. Market

The immediate focus for DAZN and ViewLift is the finalization of the merger by June and the conclusion of negotiations with the 20 NBA and NHL teams currently in the market. The outcome of these deals will serve as a bellwether for whether the “outsider” streaming model can successfully replace the traditional regional sports network framework in the United States.

The sports industry will be watching closely to see how many of these teams opt for the guaranteed payouts of the DAZN model versus the infrastructure-focused ViewLift Classic approach as the May upfronts approach.

Archysport will continue to monitor the closing of this deal and any subsequent rights agreements announced by NBA and NHL franchises.