Opta Signs League Data Contracts
Opta has signed new partnerships with four UK professional football leagues, becoming the official media data collection and distribution partner of the Barclays Premier League and Football League, as well as the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League.
The three-year deal, finalised following a competitive tender process, will run from the start of the 2013/14 season.
Opta will use its performance analysis technology to supply the official data from the competitions in real-time, which will then be delivered globally across broadcast and digital channels.
Official partners of the Premier League and Football League will also be able to access and utilise live Opta performance data for the first time.
The deal will strengthen Opta’s ties with football, adding to partnerships with other major leagues including the German Bundesliga, Dutch Eredivisie and Major League Soccer in the US.
Opta CEO Aidan Cooney said: ‘Opta has created and shaped the agenda for the use of data driven analysis and statistics in football in the UK and around the world. We are delighted to be now working directly with leagues such as the Premier League to expand offerings to its fans and partners.’
The Premier League’s director of marketing and sales, Richard Masters, added: ‘The Barclays Premier League recognises the increasing importance of relevant, quality and immediate data to fans, which is why we are investing in a company with a proven track record. We look forward to working with Opta and are sure their data and analysis will help us significantly improve our digital and broadcast offerings.’
