- James Rushton to retain leadership position as co-CEO
- Segev brings gambling industry experience to OTT specialist
DAZN Group, the digital sports media company, has announced the appointment of Entain’s Shay Segev to sit alongside James Rushton as co-chief executive.
Segev will join DAZN in the coming months after serving out his notice as chief executive of the Isle of Man-based gambling giant, which owns the Ladbrokes and Coral betting brands.
DAZN cited Segev’s background in technology and digital transformation as the motivation for his appointment, but with the growing influence of sports betting in the US media picture the Briton’s experience at Entain, as well as previously with Videobet and Playtech, is also intriguing.
Rushton is joined at the helm of the sports streaming specialist after moving up from chief revenue officer to take over from Simon Denyer initially as acting chief executive in June last year.
Segev switches roles with Entain, formerly GVC Holdings, having recently rejected an US$11 billion takeover bid from casino operator MGM Resorts on the basis the offer ‘significantly undervalues’ the betting brand operator.
“This is an important moment for DAZN Group as we deepen our leadership team and ready the organisation for its next phase of growth,” said John Skipper, DAZN Group executive chairman. “James has displayed tremendous leadership, navigating incredible challenges and achieving terrific results which have made us a stronger and more focused company.
“In Shay, we’re adding depth and fresh expertise to the team. He is recognised as one of the leading figures in online gaming and brings vast technology and operations experience to the role as well as an impressive track record in digital transformation.”
“It is incredible to be given an opportunity to lead a business with global reach and ambition as well as the technology and resources to deliver sports to the world,” said Segev. “This role allows me to combine my passion for sport and transformative technology to disrupt and improve the consumer experience.”
“Having been intimately involved in DAZN since its conception, I am pleased and excited to welcome Shay and lead DAZN Group together as we enter the next exciting chapter in our evolution,” Rushton added.
The appointment of Segev follows DAZN’s global expansion in December, dramatically increasing the availability of its streaming platform to more than 200 countries and territories.
