DAZN Is Selling Sporting News

DAZN is selling Sporting News, the United States’ oldest sports publication to Pax Holdings, a Hong Kong-based investment firm.

DAZN, primarily known for its sports streaming service, took over Sporting News in 2013. The publication went digital-only in 2012.

Pax Holdings’ gaming expertise could be married to the SN brand as sports betting becomes legalized in the U.S. Hall and other Pax partners have been involved with online gaming since 2001, and have experience in sports betting, poker and virtual sports. Pax Holdings’ is acquiring 100% of Sporting News’ U.S. operation as well as its localized editions in Canada, Australia, and Japan.

Sporting News Has Long History

Founded in 1886, it Sporting News became known as the “Bible of Baseball.” It dropped “The” from its name in 2002, then went digital-only in 2012. Sporting News shuffled through multiple corporate owners over the last few decades.

DAZN first took over Sporting News through the Perform Group in 2013.

Like most media companies, DAZN’s sports streaming service was hammered by the coronavirus-caused sports shutdown this year.

DAZN was the first media group in the U.S. to tell sports leagues it would not pay rights fees for canceled or suspended games. It also canceled “ChangeUp,” an MLB whip-around show that never took off.