Yu Sasamoto, a former senior executive at X (formerly Twitter), has been named as chief executive (CEO) of global sports streaming platform DAZN in Japan.
In the new role, he will oversee DAZN’s operations in the market and the company’s expansion into the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and growing its existing business in Taiwan.
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Sasamoto, who was officially appointed on February 5, will report to DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev.
Throughout a 27-year career, the Japanese executive has developed a wide network across sports organizations, agencies, and media.
During his most recent role at X, Sasamoto was chief executive of the social network in Japan and the APAC region where he was tasked with leading its growth in those territories.
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He joined X in 2014 after previous stints at US cable channel MTV in Japan and tech giant Microsoft.
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By GlobalDataSegev said: “I am very pleased to welcome a highly capable person like Yutaka Sasamoto as CEO of DAZN Japan. I have no doubt that his track record, strategic vision, and extensive network within the industry, along with our partnership with the J.League over the next 10 years, will accelerate our growth in Japan and APAC.
“I am confident that Sasamoto’s leadership will further strengthen DAZN’s position as a premier streaming service.”
Sasamoto added: “I see DAZN as a very exciting business and have had many meetings with CEO Shay Segev and other global leaders. I want to contribute to its continued growth.
“Being at the forefront of DAZN Japan is a very exciting opportunity, and I look forward to leading innovation and growth in the sports streaming industry.”
In October, businessman Kenji Kitatani was appointed as the new chair of DAZN Japan.
DAZN has operated in the territory since just after its inception in 2016, with the service itself being born out of its initial owners Perform Group purchasing the rights to show Japan’s J-League soccer competition on a 10-year contract.
In the market, the streaming service also has the rights to more than a dozen soccer competitions from across the globe, motor racing’s Formula 1, baseball’s Nippon Professional Baseball, FIBA international basketball, and Professional Fighters League mixed martial arts, among other sports offerings.
Recently, it was agreed that DAZN would participate in boxing promoter Matchroom’s new joint partnership to host boxing events in Japan.
