DAZN near deal for U.K. rights to Saudi Pro League

DAZN is close to an agreement that will "see it provide live coverage of the Saudi Pro League" to a U.K. audience this season. The streaming provider "is confident of concluding a deal for the broadcast rights before the new campaign, which begins on Friday." An initial 12-month contract will see DAZN televise games in the U.K., Germany and Austria. It is expected that every game involving Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr side will be shown, "as well as three other live fixtures each week." DAZN has also held talks with IMG, the company tasked with selling overseas broadcast rights, to take coverage into the U.S. and Canada. The Saudi Pro League’s new season begins on Friday. Sky Sports "initially showed coverage of the Saudi Pro League in the second half of last season" (THE ATHLETIC, 8/7).