DAZN makes new executive appointments amid rapid expansion
The sports streaming and betting operator has named a new chief operating officer, chief financial officer and chief business officer.
UK.- The OTT sports streaming and betting operator DAZN has announced major changes to its C-level executive team with two new hires effective immediately. Former Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany has taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Alex Gersh has been named as Chief Financial Officer. Former CEO Darren Waterman moves to the new position of Chief Business Officer.
Delany will lead the company’s operating strategy following its acquisition of the Australian broadcaster Foxtel last year. Based in London, he will be responsible for DAZN’s daily operations, with a focus on subscriber and revenue growth, sports rights renewals and relationships with rights holders. Delany will also oversee content production and execution alongside the group’s advertising and sponsorship activities. Before leading Foxtel Group from 2018, he was CEO of Fox Sports Australia.
Gersh previously served as CFO of Betfair Plc and subsequently Paddy Power Betfair following the companies’ £5bn merger in 2016. He moved to Sportradar in 2020 for a tenure that included the sports data firm’s listing on the Global Nasdaq.
Following Gersh’s appointment, Waterman moves from the CFO role to the new position of Chief Business Officer (CBO.) Having led DAZN’s financial team since 2022, he will now lead strategic commercial projects, global partnerships, distribution agreements and corporate transactions.
DAZN, which is majority-owned by Len Blavatnik’s investment firm Access Industries, credited Waterman with guiding its finances and corporate development through a period of accelerated expansion. The company reached profitability for the first time in 2025 and has since announced acquisitions of ViewLift and EverPass.
The company has also renewed premium sports rights in core markets, has integrated FIFA+ into its global platform and has also been advancing the development of a regional sports distribution business in the US. On the betting side, DAZN has expanded the reach of its sportsbook from the UK and Spain to Italy and Germany. It now has its sights on Ontario, Canada, as its first market entry outside Europe.
Commenting on the appointments, CEO Shay Segev said: “DAZN is entering an exciting new chapter of profitable growth, during which we will build on the strong momentum we have created in the business. Our built-for-sport platform is now available in more than 200 markets, connecting millions of fans across the world to the sports they love through immersive experiences that go far beyond broadcast.
“The stage is set for our strengthened leadership team to intensify our mission to build the world’s best sports entertainment platform for fans, rights holders and partners.”
