Genius Sports to crack down on “data piracy” in new FIBA deal
Provider announced “long-term” extensions to deal with world basketball governing body
Genius Sports has announced a “long-term renewal” to its partnership with FIBA, the world governing body of basketball.
The two organisations have worked together since 2004, developing tools like FIBA Organizer, a digital competition management tool, and FIBA LiveStats, a play-by-play data collection system operated courtside across more than 85,000 games annually around the world.
Under the renewed agreement, both organisations will work to prevent the collection of unofficial data from FIBA events, in a bid to eradicate “data piracy”.
Genius said in a press release: “Prohibiting the collection and distribution of unofficial feeds will provide leagues and national federations with optimum control and visibility over their data, maintaining its commercial value and strengthening the integrity of their competitions from betting-related corruption.”
Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke said the partners were focused on the future following the deal, adding: “We’re excited to introduce a number of cutting-edge innovations later this year, driving the next stage of digital transformation and data analytics for leagues and federations at all levels of basketball.”
A proud day for Genius Sports & @FIBA announcing a long-term renewal of our landmark 15-year partnership. Since 2004, we've worked together to provide over 200 FIBA leagues & federations with leading data & technology systems, enhancing world basketball. https://t.co/QxnbaGgKAi
— Genius Sports (@GeniusSports) July 4, 2019
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis added: “Thanks to this renewal, we will continue the joint efforts in creating innovative tools and make sure that our sport is even more attractive to fans around the world.”
Genius Sports also recently secured the official data rights for English League football, as well as the rights to develop an official betting product for NASCAR.
CEO Mark Locke said in a recent EGR op-ed the industry cannot continue to condone the use of unofficial data.