A firm specializing in sports data and technology, Genius Sports, has joined forces with the B.League, Japan’s national basketball organization. This collaboration is a significant development for both entities.
The agreement, spanning several years, will provide Japanese basketball enthusiasts, mentors, and athletes with access to real-time data and video analysis from over 1,000 contests in the B1 and B2 leagues.
Genius Sports will also leverage the B.League’s data and video content to support its sports wagering partners globally. This will contribute to safeguarding Japanese basketball from match manipulation and dishonesty.
To ensure the B.League’s data remains secure, Genius Sports has launched a new initiative to prevent unauthorized data gatherers from accessing games.
Genius Sports employs a tool known as Fiba LiveStats to collect advanced statistics from each game. This tool was jointly developed by Genius Sports and the International Basketball Federation (Fiba).
Brilliant minds have declared that this information will be instrumental in driving scoreboards, shot charts, and data-driven analytical tools. The B.League’s official data will also provide media outlets and broadcasting partners with rapid and precise statistics to enhance the fan experience across various platforms.
Genius’ live streaming solution, GeniusLive, will broadcast B2 games through AI-powered automated streaming production and distribution processes.
B.League Chairman Shinji Shimada stated, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Genius Sports and utilize their technology to enhance the digital experience for fans across the globe, while providing new insights for coaches and athletes and improving the integrity of our league.”
Thomas Klingbeil, Commercial Director, Asia Pacific, Genius Sports, added, “In the face of the significant challenges that the sports landscape has encountered in the past year, rights holders are seeking innovative platforms to reconnect with fans and create new revenue streams.”
“Fiba LiveStats and GeniusLive will work together to empower the B.League to control its real-time data and video content, altering the way global audiences engage with every game.”
Last week, Genius declared it would consolidate its entire portfolio under the single brand Genius Sports before its listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
This signifies the discontinuation of the legacy Betgenius and Genius Sports Media brands.
The vendor is poised to commence trading on the New York Stock Exchange following the disclosure of its initial public offering plans last fall. Their valuation stands at $1.5 billion, which translates to roughly £1.09 billion or €1.25 billion.
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