The NFL on Monday inked a four-year deal with Sportradar US to distribute player and team statistics starting with the 2015-16 season.
Sportradar US, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Sportradar previously known as SportsData, will use its network of 5,000 data analysts to gather and record real-time scores, player statistics, and play-by-play data from each game. The NFL previously used Stats LLC to provide in-game data to digital platforms.
Sportradar US will also help the NFL with its Next Gen Stats initiative, which will surface innovative new statistics for fans and media. Announced this past July, Next Gen Stats is working with Illinois-based Zebra Technologies to utilize receivers in stadiums that track player movement thanks to two small RFID tags embedded inside the shoulder pads of every athlete.
The new technology will produce unique real-time statistics related to speed, acceleration and distance traveled for each player during each play in a given game.
“This is a whole new dimension of data that will provide NFL fans with the deepest appreciation of player performance,” said Alex Inglot, spokesman for Sportradar.
Inglot noted that this new data will be available to fans “via various customer integrations across broadcast TV, digital, mobile, and other emerging technology platforms and in-stadium.”
“At this time, it is too early to forecast specific use cases,” he added. “However, Sportradar US expects the data to be displayed within traditional coverage of NFL events as well in the creation of new, never-before-seen products and features. We are on the cusp of developments with this data and with the platforms it can be received on, so for now we remain committed to supporting the NFL in ensuring that their fans get the richest and most meaningful data in the ways that works best for them.”
The Sports Business Journal reported that the NFL bought a stake in Sportradar, but the company would not comment.