Kevin Mayer, the former Disney exec who helmed TikTok for three months last year, has been named chairman of sports-focused streaming service DAZN.
Per Variety, he will replace former ESPN president John Skipper, who’s leaving to focus on his independent content studio Meadowlark Media.
“As chairman, I’m looking forward to partnering with the management team and my fellow directors to help DAZN build on its impressive track record of success in developing a truly global sports platform,” Mayer, who was an executive at Disney for 15 years, said in a statement. Prior to his brief stint at TikTok, he oversaw the development and launch of the Mouse House’s wildly popular Disney+.
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Mayer will also retain his position as senior advisor at investment firm Access Industries, a role he took on in November. Access Industries owns a majority stake in DAZN.
He added that since joining Access, “I’ve been impressed with DAZN’s ambitions and ability to quickly grow from a new entrant to an important player in key markets throughout the world. I look forward to guiding DAZN’s strategic development into its next chapter.”
DAZN launched in 2016 and, according to Variety, says it currently has around 9 million subscribers in 200+ global territories. It offers programming across numerous sports, and has also aired exclusive pay-per-view events like the Paul brothers’ various boxing matches.
Skipper will remain on the DAZN Group board and serve as a strategic advisor. DAZN said it plans to collaborate with Meadowlark on original content.
