Perform’s Simon Denyer recognised as a leading ‘sports innovator’ for 2016 by SportsBusiness

Business publication ‘SportsBusiness’ has ranked Perform Group CEO & Co-Founder Simon Denyer as one of the top innovators in sports commerce for 2016, following a ‘transformational year’ for his company and its services.

Denyer who founded Perform in 2005, ranked in 5th place in SportBusiness list of the ‘Top 20 Sports Innovators in 2016’.

The recognition of Perform’s leader follows the launch of the company’s ‘On-Demand’ international sports streaming network DAZN in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan.

The DAZN network has seen Perform governance broker major streaming partnerships with a number of European football leagues including the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A as well as US pro-leagues the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL.

Perform and its investors have high ambitions for DAZN services stating on the launch of the streaming network that its new service will aim to become the ‘Netflix of sports’.

Speaking to SportBusiness, Denyer commented on Perform’s 2016 and his firm’s future ambitions: “We have taken big steps into broader sports-rights management with the creation of WTA Media and FIBA Media, both of which are long-term deals – over 10 and 17 years respectively – to manage and help rightsholders fully optimise their broadcast output and prepare for the digital future.

“DAZN is a product that we believe defines the future of sports broadcasting. The delivery of music and entertainment content has changed radically over the last five years and now it is time for sports to do the same.

“The model is fair and open for rightsholders and creates new revenue streams and growth for the whole industry. For Perform, 2017 is all about expanding our content offering and expanding DAZN to a greater number of sports fans, rights holders and territories.”