Sportradar Extends UEFA Data Rights Deal by Three Years
Sportradar unveiled a multi-year extension of its exclusive betting data rights partnership with the European soccer governing body UEFA. In addition to that, the sports data specialist also extended its integrity partnership with the association.
The expanded rights agreement now includes the non-exclusive right to distribute data to non-betting media, Sportradar announced. In addition, it will provide the betting specialist with access to certain advanced tracking.
According to Sportradar’s announcement, the enriched data will bolster its state-of-the-art AI-powered products and services, allowing it to deliver innovative tech solutions to its clients.
The agreement covers all UEFA Club and National team competitions, including:
As a result, Sportradar will now be able to offer over 900 high-profile matches each season. This represents an increase of almost 33% from the previous cycle.
Sportradar Extended Its UEFA Integrity Deal Too
In the meantime, Sportradar has also extended its long-standing integrity partnership with the UEFA. Having worked together for 15 years now, the two parties will continue their commitment to integrity.
To that end, Sportradar will continue to support UEFA’s Anti-Match-Fixing Unit by providing dedicated intelligence and investigation resources, as well as enhanced monitoring and education services.
UEFA’s marketing director, Guy-Laurent Epstein, praised the renewed deals with Sportradar, praising the company for its experienced approach to sports. Epstein expressed excitement about continuing the successful data rights partnership for three more years.
As part of the agreement, we will also be continuing our long-standing cooperation to protect the integrity of UEFA and our member associations’ competitions.
Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director, UEFA
Carsten Koerl, Sportradar’s CEO, also commented on the matter, saying that he is thrilled to expand the tie-up with UEFA. Koerl said that the expanded arrangement will allow his team to offer “unparalleled engagement and value through cutting-edge solutions and comprehensive data coverage” to its clients and soccer fans as a whole.
This agreement supports our strategic focus on selectively investing in long-term rights across key global sports, enabling ongoing innovation and enhancement of our offerings.
Carsten Koerl, CEO, Sportradar
In other news, Sportradar recently added audio and DOOH channels, noting that audio consumption and DOOH spending have dramatically increased over the past few years.
Apax Partners Fully Exits Equity Position in Genius Sports
Apax Partners LLP’ Funds (Apax Funds) have fully monetized their equity interest in the official data, technology, and commercial partner powering the global ecosystem that ties sports, betting, and media, Genius Sports Limited.
Apax no longer holds any shares in the company that allows its technology to be used in more than 150 countries.
Apax Funds Supported Genius Sports’ Growth
Six years ago, in September 2018, the Apax Funds acquired a majority interest in Genius Sports.
Ever since, the funds have supported the trusted partner to over 400 sports organizations through an ongoing growth period.
The private equity firm announced it sold 20 million ordinary shares held in Genius Sports for an amount that has not been officially disclosed to the public.
The company originally announced its plans to sell its shares in Genius Sports last September. This automatically led to a serious drop in the data giant’s share price.
This year, in April, Apax Partners’ partner, Gabriele Cipparonne, bid farewell to the position that he held on Genius Sports’ board of directors.
As a director, Cipparrone helped Genius Sports boost its revenue from $85 million in 2018 to a whopping $413 million in 2023.
“Apax Has Been a Tremendous Partner to Genius Sports”
Genius Sports’ co-founder and chief executive officer, Mark Locke, took the opportunity to praise Apax’s influence on its success, acknowledging it as “a tremendous partner” to the company.
Locked also expressed their gratitude for Apax’ “valuable insight and expertise over the last six years,“ while expressing their desire to welcome “this next chapter with the ongoing support of our high-quality institutional shareholders.”
Genius Sports, which enjoys a unique positioning due to the stunning mix of state-of-the-art technology, scale, and global reach, marked a 14.5% rise in its adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2024.
The figure came despite the company solely recording a 23% year-on-year revenue growth.
Genius Sports also reported in Q1 2023 a group net loss of $25.5 million, marking a 1.5% increase compared to the same quarter in 2023, despite the important revenue growth.
Despite the minor setbacks, CEO Locke was pleased with the metrics, explaining the company had exceeded previous expectations.
Last May, the company that uses big data, augmented reality, computer vision, and machine learning to intertwine the entire sports ecosystem starting with rights holders and ending with fans announced it joined forces with the European League of Football.
