Latest news with #DannyTownsend
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Why police will be out in force at A-League Grand Final in Melbourne - as 30,000 fans head to AAMI Park for historic derby
Football fans will be closely monitored by police at Saturday's A-League Grand Final in Melbourne, as the code desperately looks to avoid a repeat of the shocking scenes from an infamous derby in 2022 that saw a pitch invasion and 29 arrests. Victoria Police have been pulled from multiple areas - and a number of stations will temporarily close - as resources are diverted to AAMI Park in the CBD to ensure rival supporters are on their best behaviour. It follows one of Australian soccer's darkest episodes, where approximately 150 Victory supporters stormed the pitch, unleashing 80 flares or fireworks and forcing the abandonment of the Melbourne derby in December of 2022. Then Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover left the field bleeding from a head wound and referee Alex King, two security guards and a camera operator were injured following the mayhem. At the time, a portion of disgruntled Victory fans announced plans pre-game via an Instagram page titled Original Style Melbourne (OSM) to storm the pitch after 20 minutes in protest of the controversial decision to hand Sydney grand final hosting rights until 2025. 'We demand answers from Melbourne Victory,' the lengthy social media post began following the announcement from former Australian Professional Leagues (APL) boss Danny Townsend a deal worth a least $10million had been struck with Destination NSW. 'The fanbase has spoken. You must back your most loyal. There is no other option. 'Without us there is no club. 'Silence will be considered collusion and won't be forgotten. 'You are either with us, or against us.' Fast forward to Saturday night's Grand Final and it is widely hoped history will not repeat itself. Thankfully, both sets of supporters on social media platforms appear to focused on the football, not engaging in anti-social behaviour. Victoria Police have confirmed they will have a visible presence at AAMI Park, ensuring both sets of fans enjoy the game and get home safely. 'There will be an unbelievable atmosphere on Saturday night,' CBD Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said in a statement. 'The bumper crowd can expect to see plenty of police on the way to the game and at the ground itself.' A spokesman for AAMI Park also said there would be 'increased numbers of venue security, patron services and supervisor staff, as well as greater numbers of MSS Security and Victoria Police personnel.' Meanwhile, an A-League spokesperson confirmed the Grand Final is a sell-out. Two Melbourne teams chasing bragging rights and silverware in a decider is also an A-League first, dating back to 2005. 'We are the only sport in town,' the A-League spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'No AFL, NRL or even netball is being played (in Melbourne), so we are excited (to be in the spotlight). 'The capacity at AAMI Park is just over 30,000, and we have sold all tickets. 'Fans can enjoy the spectacle, and also see Socceroos such as Marco Tilio, Mat Leckie, Aziz Behich and Daniel Arzani in the flesh.' Melbourne City are unbeaten in their last eight games - but have not beaten arch-rivals Melbourne Victory since April of 2023.
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
SURJ Sports Investment and Kings League partner to launch Kings League MENA
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SURJ Sports Investment and Kings League have today announced a partnership to launch Kings League MENA, a regionally anchored version of the revolutionary seven-a-side football league founded by football legend and entrepreneur Gerard Piqué. The new joint venture will launch later this year and will bring an innovative and digital-first sporting experience to the MENA region, with Saudi Arabia confirmed as the league's inaugural host. Developed in partnership between SURJ Sports Investment and Kings League, the MENA league – set to become the seventh league in the Kings League's global portfolio – will feature a unique mix of regional football talent, digital-native content, and stunning live events, redefining how fans experience the game. Details on team identities, celebrity team owners, and the competition's format will be unveiled as the league builds toward its inaugural kickoff. The venture includes plans to engage local talent through open tryouts, draft mechanisms, and community activations, helping to foster a new pipeline of football and content creation talent across the Arab world. The announcement is a major milestone in the evolution of sports entertainment across the region. With a format that fuses competitive football, gamified rules, and celebrity streamer team owners, Kings League MENA is designed to captivate young audiences and set a new benchmark for fan engagement in global sport. With 80% of Kings League's 30 million global social media followers under the age of 34 – and nearly 70% of Saudi Arabia's population under 30 – the league is tailored to match the digital behaviors and entertainment preferences of the region's youth. Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, said: "Kings League MENA is unlike anything the region has seen. We're bringing an entirely new model to market – one that celebrates football's competitive spirit while embracing the energy of digital creators, fans, and youth culture. This venture reflects SURJ's broader mandate to invest in sports IP and enablement platforms that deliver long-term returns, grow the ecosystem, and connect with the next generation of fans across the region.' Djamel Agaoua, CEO of Kings League commented: "We're thrilled to take the Kings League into MENA through this exciting partnership with SURJ. Saudi Arabia is the perfect launchpad for a league that's bold, fan-first, and digitally native. Together, we're building a platform that fuses entertainment, sport, and digital culture – one that's tailor-made for this region's energy and ambition.' Kings League has reimagined football for the digital era and for the next generation of fans. Since the explosive success of the original Spanish league in 2023, it has expanded to major football markets around the world, adding leagues in Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy and Germany. Iconic stadiums including the Camp Nou (90k spectators) in Barcelona and Juventus Stadium in Torino (40k spectators) have sold out for Kings League finals. The growing global ecosystem of leagues is augmented by two spectacular annual international tournaments, the Kings World Cup Clubs and the Kings World Cup Nations. The best teams of each Kings League qualify for the Kings World Cup Clubs. The best players of each country play for their national team in the Kings World Cup Nations. Kings League works with world-leading streamers, content creators, and football legends to drive engagement, and will bring the same winning model to MENA. FC Barcelona superstars Lamine Yamal and Jules Koundé, Brazil legends Kaká and Neymar Jr, Argentina icon Kun Agüero, former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Real Madrid players Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga are among the team and league presidents in the Kings League ecosystem. Content creator superstars in the ecosystem include American icon Jake Paul, Saudi Arabia's SHoNgxBoNg, and Spanish streaming giant Ibai Llanos. ABOUT SURJ SPORTS INVESTMENT SURJ (/Surge/) Sports Investment, a PIF company, is fueling the growth of international sport through strategic investments with global and local resonance. Its mandate centers on investing in global rights holders and key enablers in the global sports ecosystem – investments that will generate long-term returns, empower sports and sports-adjacent businesses to innovate and reach new audiences and create new experiences. SURJ Sports Investment is unlocking game-changing opportunities, inspiring the next generation of talent and fans in Saudi Arabia, the wider MENA region and beyond. For more about SURJ Sports Investment, visit ABOUT KINGS LEAGUE Created by football legend and entrepreneur Gerard Piqué, Kings League has become a global phenomenon that has revolutionized the way we understand football and sport. It is a new 7-a-side football league with teams presided over by the best streamers and content creators in the world, with revolutionary rules that seek to unite the best of football with the latest trends in esports and new ways of communicating and understanding the world. In this sense, Kings League has not only managed to "reimagine the game", but has also elevated sport and entertainment to a new dimension, making them more accessible to all audiences. For more information, visit
Broadcast Pro
19-02-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Surj acquires minority stake in DAZN to boost Saudi sports broadcasting
Surj and DAZN to work closely on establishing DAZN MENA—a broadcasting joint venture. Surj Sports Investment, the sports investment arm of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced a strategic move to acquire a minority stake in DAZN, a global sports entertainment platform. The partnership aligns with both entities' commitment to expanding access to world-class sports content and enhancing the global sports landscape. Established in 2023, Surj Sports Investment focuses on driving international sports growth while strengthening Saudi Arabia's sports ecosystem. Its investment strategy goes beyond direct sports investments to include key industry components such as broadcasting, digital platforms, grassroots initiatives and fan engagement to boost participation and long-term development. Through this agreement, DAZN will serve as Surj's official streaming and broadcast partner, providing live and on-demand coverage of Saudi sporting events to a global audience. Available in over 200 markets, DAZN has revolutionised sports consumption with its seamless platform, offering fans an immersive experience that integrates viewing, gaming, purchasing and social engagement. This collaboration is expected to reshape how regional fans interact with sports while delivering significant economic and social benefits. A key component of the deal is the launch of DAZN MENA, a joint venture aimed at expanding broadcasting opportunities in Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing sports industry. This initiative will enhance access to high-quality sports content across the Middle East and North Africa, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's position as a major player in the global sports investment market. Speaking about the deal, Danny Townsend, CEO at Surj Sports Investment, said: 'DAZN has established itself as the global sports platform of choice, and this is a really exciting opportunity to build on DAZN's significant successes in recent years by bringing more sports to fans and audiences around the world. 'Surj supports the leadership of DAZN, and our partnership will accelerate the growth of DAZN and capitalise on the significant and growing demand for high-quality sports broadcasting. 'This investment will help Surj achieve its mandate of driving fan engagement, encouraging sports participation and unlocking game-changing opportunities, and further showcasing the region as a destination for world-class sports.' Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN, added: 'DAZN is the only truly global entertainment platform dedicated to sport, which makes us ideally positioned to expand access to sports content globally from Saudi Arabia's growing sports sector. As part of the DAZN MENA joint venture with Surj, DAZN is committed to maximizing the reach and accessibility of sports, while delivering the best entertainment experience to a global community of passionate fans. This is a milestone partnership for the group, which is bound to transform the sports entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.'
Arabian Business
18-02-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Saudi PIF-backed SURJ Sports Investment acquires minority stake in DAZN
Saudi Arabia-based SURJ Sports Investment, a PIF affiliate, said it has agreed to acquire a minority stake in DAZN, the global leader in sports entertainment. The two, who are natural partners, are committed to the unifying power of sports by making world-class sports rights available globally, the companies said. As part of this agreement, the two companies will work closely to establish DAZN MENA, a joint venture that will unlock new broadcasting opportunities for Saudi Arabia's growing sports sector and accelerate fans' access to live and on-demand sports content. The partnership also aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia as a leading market for sports investments, while capitalising on the significant growth in demand for high-quality sports broadcasting. Danny Townsend, CEO at SURJ Sports Investment, said DAZN has established itself as the global sports platform of choice, and this is a really exciting opportunity to build on DAZN's significant successes in recent years by bringing more sports to fans and audiences around the world. 'SURJ supports the leadership of DAZN, and our partnership will accelerate the growth of DAZN and capitalise on the significant and growing demand for high-quality sports broadcasting. 'This investment will help SURJ achieve its mandate of driving fan engagement, encouraging sports participation and unlocking game-changing opportunities, and further showcasing the region as a destination for world-class sports,' he said. Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN, said as part of the DAZN MENA joint venture with SURJ, the company is committed to maximising the reach and accessibility of sports, while delivering the best entertainment experience to a global community of passionate fans. 'This is a milestone partnership for the group, which is bound to transform the sports entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia and the wider region,' Segev said. Launched in 2023, SURJ Sports Investment is mandated to invest in sports to drive international growth, while enhancing the sporting ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. DAZN, available in more than 200 markets, provides SURJ with an official streaming and broadcast partner for both live and on-demand content to showcase the best of Saudi sport and Saudi-based events to a global audience.
Al Arabiya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia's SURJ Sports Investment acquires minority stake in DAZN
Saudi Arabia's SURJ Sports Investments, a Public Investment Fund company, announced on Monday that it acquired a minority stake in sports entertainment platform, DAZN, in a partnership aimed at making world-class sports rights available globally. Financial details of the deal haven't been announced, but the partnership will provide mutual access to global and Saudi sports alike. For more Saudi sports news, visit our dedicated page. DAZN streams over 90,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide. It is home of European football, women's football, boxing and MMA. It features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world including Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA including FIFA Club World Cup 2025. 'DAZN provides SURJ with an official streaming and broadcast partner for both live and on-demand content to showcase the best of Saudi sport and Saudi-based events to a global audience,' the statement said. The PIF company was launched in 2023 and is mandated to invest in sports to drive international growth while enhancing the sporting ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and wider Middle East. The announcement comes at a time when the Kingdom has established itself as a major sports destination, hosting some of the world's top sports and becoming home to global superstars. It also comes after Saudi Arabia was announced as the host of the 2034 World Cup. The agreement will also lead to the establishment of DAZN MENA, a joint venture aimed at unlocking new broadcasting opportunities for Saudi Arabia's sports sector and that looks at accelerating fans' access to live and on-demand sports content. 'The partnership aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia as a leading market for sports investments, while capitalizing on the significant growth in demand for high-quality sports broadcasting,' the statement added. SURJ CEO Danny Townsend said that the investment with DAZN will support SURJ's goals and will further showcase 'the region as a destination for world-class sports.' Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN, said that the 'this is a milestone partnership for the group, which is bound to transform the sports entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.'
