Where It All Began
Matchroom Sport wasn’t always a media juggernaut. In the early 2000s, it was a niche promoter, known for its knack for signing underrated talent—men like Carl Froch, Amir Khan, and David Haye, who’d been overlooked by bigger outfits. Hearn’s approach was simple: he’d find fighters with star potential, nurture them, and then sell their stories to the highest bidder. By the mid-2010s, Matchroom had become the default choice for British boxing’s brightest prospects, but the model was unsustainable. PPV was collapsing, and without a new revenue stream, the company risked bankruptcy. The turning point came when DAZN entered the UK market in 2016. The German streamer had already disrupted pay-TV in Europe with its all-you-can-eat model, but combat sports were still a wild card. Most broadcasters saw boxing as a niche product—expensive to produce, unpredictable in ratings, and difficult to monetize. DAZN saw an opportunity. They needed a partner who could deliver consistent, high-quality content, and Hearn was the only man in the business who could guarantee it. The deal that followed—Matchroom’s exclusive agreement with DAZN—wasn’t just about selling fights. It was about survival.The Early Signs
Before the ink was dry on the DAZN deal, Hearn’s influence was already seeping into the platform’s DNA. Matchroom’s fights weren’t just another sports category—they were the cornerstone of DAZN’s UK launch. The first major bout under the new arrangement was Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, a clash that became a cultural phenomenon. Suddenly, who owns DAZN’s boxing content wasn’t just a logistical question—it was a conversation about who controlled the narrative of British sport. The financial stakes were enormous. DAZN reportedly invested hundreds of millions into securing Matchroom’s exclusive rights, a figure that dwarfed anything PPV had ever seen. For Hearn, the deal was a lifeline, but it was also a calculated risk. By tying Matchroom’s fate to DAZN’s success, he was betting that streaming would replace PPV—not as an alternative, but as the future. The early signs were promising. DAZN’s subscriber numbers grew faster than expected, and Matchroom’s fighters became household names. But the real power play was just beginning.The Turning Point
The moment that changed everything wasn’t a single fight or a contract signing—it was the realization that Hearn wasn’t just selling content to DAZN. He was building an empire. By 2018, Matchroom’s dominance in the UK was undeniable. Joshua was the undisputed heavyweight champion, Amir Khan was a global star, and DAZN’s subscriber base was expanding at a rate that even its skeptics couldn’t ignore. Hearn had done more than secure a broadcasting deal; he’d positioned Matchroom as the gatekeeper of British boxing. The turning point came when DAZN began expanding beyond the UK. Hearn’s relationships with fighters like Tyson Fury and Canelo Álvarez gave the platform access to the biggest names in the sport. Suddenly, who owns DAZN’s combat sports division wasn’t just about Hearn—it was about the entire Matchroom ecosystem. The streamer wasn’t just buying fights; it was buying into Hearn’s vision of a unified, global combat sports market."We didn’t just sign a deal with DAZN. We signed up for the future. And the future isn’t PPV—it’s streaming, it’s accessibility, it’s making sure fans don’t have to jump through hoops to watch the best in the world." — Eddie Hearn, 2019The quote captures the shift perfectly. Hearn wasn’t just a promoter anymore. He was a media strategist, a man who understood that the real money wasn’t in selling individual fights—it was in controlling the platform that sold them.
The Build-Up, Year by Year
| Period | What Happened | What Changed |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | DAZN launches in the UK with Matchroom’s exclusive rights. First major bout: Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko. | PPV collapses; streaming becomes the default for combat sports. Hearn’s financial stability secured. |
| 2018 | DAZN expands into the US, securing rights to UFC and other major events. Matchroom’s fighters dominate DAZN’s lineup. | Hearn’s influence extends globally. DAZN’s valuation skyrockets, making it a major player in sports media. |
| 2021 | DAZN acquires full ownership of Matchroom Sport, ending the exclusive partnership. Hearn remains as CEO. | Hearn’s role evolves from promoter to executive. DAZN now controls both the content and the platform. |
Lessons From the Journey
- Exclusivity is power. By locking Matchroom into DAZN, Hearn ensured no other broadcaster could compete for his fighters. The move forced rivals like Sky Sports and ESPN to either match DAZN’s offers or lose access to top talent.
- Streaming isn’t just a business model—it’s a cultural shift. Hearn recognized that fans wanted fights on demand, not tied to PPV schedules. DAZN’s success proved him right.
- The real ownership isn’t just about contracts—it’s about relationships. Hearn’s personal connections with fighters gave DAZN an edge no algorithm could replicate.
- Media consolidation is the future. DAZN’s acquisition of Matchroom wasn’t just a sports deal—it was a play to control the entire combat sports ecosystem, from production to distribution.
Where Things Stand Today
As of 2024, the question of who owns DAZN’s combat sports empire has a clear answer: DAZN does. But the story isn’t over. When DAZN acquired full ownership of Matchroom in 2021, it wasn’t just a financial transaction—it was a consolidation of power. Hearn remains CEO, but his role has shifted from promoter to executive, overseeing a division that now includes not just boxing and MMA but also kickboxing, wrestling, and even esports. The arrangement has made DAZN the undisputed leader in combat sports streaming, but it’s also created a new dynamic. Hearn’s influence is now embedded in the platform itself. He’s not just selling fights to DAZN—he’s shaping its strategy. The result? A monopoly that controls everything from fighter contracts to broadcasting rights. Critics argue it’s anti-competitive. Supporters say it’s the only way to keep combat sports relevant in a digital age.
Conclusion
Eddie Hearn’s journey from a promoter with a dream to a media mogul with global reach is one of the most fascinating stories in modern sports. The answer to who owns DAZN is no longer just about stockholders or boardrooms—it’s about the man who turned a struggling promoter into the backbone of a streaming giant. Hearn didn’t just sell fights to DAZN; he sold them his future, his fighters, and his vision for how combat sports should be consumed. The legacy of this partnership will be debated for years. Did Hearn sell out to become part of a corporate machine, or did he future-proof his empire by aligning with the biggest player in sports media? One thing is certain: without Hearn, DAZN’s combat sports division would look very different today. And without DAZN, Matchroom might not have survived. Their intertwined fate has rewritten the rules of the game—and Eddie Hearn is the architect.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Does Eddie Hearn still own Matchroom Sport?
No, he doesn’t. In 2021, DAZN acquired full ownership of Matchroom Sport, ending the exclusive partnership. However, Hearn remains as CEO, overseeing the division’s operations under DAZN’s umbrella.
Q: How much of DAZN does Eddie Hearn own?
Hearn does not own a direct stake in DAZN as a public company. His influence lies in his role as CEO of Matchroom Sport, which is now fully owned by DAZN. Any financial stake he may have is indirect and not publicly disclosed.
Q: Why did Hearn choose DAZN over other broadcasters?
DAZN offered Matchroom the financial security and global reach that traditional PPV couldn’t. Hearn recognized that streaming was the future and that aligning with DAZN would ensure Matchroom’s fighters remained accessible to fans worldwide.
Q: Has DAZN’s ownership affected Matchroom’s fighters?
Yes, but positively. DAZN’s investment has allowed Matchroom to sign bigger fights, produce higher-quality events, and expand into new markets. Fighters like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have benefited from increased exposure and better pay.
Q: Could Hearn leave DAZN and take his fighters elsewhere?
Legally, no—not under the current contracts. Matchroom’s exclusive deal with DAZN binds its fighters to the platform for the duration of their agreements. Hearn’s ability to move fighters would depend on renegotiating these deals, which is unlikely in the near term.
Q: What other sports does DAZN own through Matchroom?
Beyond boxing and MMA, DAZN’s Matchroom division includes kickboxing (via Glory Kickboxing), wrestling (All Star Wrestling), and even esports. Hearn’s influence extends across multiple combat sports disciplines.
Q: Is DAZN’s combat sports division profitable?
DAZN has not disclosed exact figures, but industry estimates suggest the combat sports division is highly profitable, driven by subscriber growth and high-value fights. The acquisition of Matchroom was seen as a strategic move to solidify DAZN’s dominance in the space.
Q: What’s next for Hearn and DAZN?
With Hearn still at the helm, expectations are that DAZN will continue expanding its combat sports portfolio, potentially entering new markets or acquiring additional promoters. The focus will likely remain on maintaining exclusivity and delivering high-profile events.
