The goal is to unlock the full potential of MLB's data and audiovisual content.
Press release.- The Major League Baseball (MLB) and Sportradar announced a long-term extension and expansion of their decade-long partnership, starting with the 2025 season, with the goal of unlocking the full potential of MLB's data and audiovisual content while growing America's pastime globally.
As part of the agreement, MLB acquired a stake in Sportradar, further solidifying the partnership between the two organizations and supporting future growth opportunities.
Under the new terms, Sportradar, in partnership with MLB, will exclusively distribute MLB's ultra-low latency official data, media content, including MLB Statcast Data, and AV content through its global network of clients, which spans 800 sports betting clients and 900 media companies. The continued and growing popularity of baseball in markets such as Latin America and Asia, combined with the increasing legalization of sports betting, creates an opportunity for greater utilization of MLB content and data.
To ensure the integrity of the sport, Sportradar will continue to provide top-class integrity services, including Sportradar's Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) to monitor global betting activity, in addition to offering educational and research support to MLB.
Furthermore, Sportradar and MLB will collaborate on creating AI-driven products powered by player tracking data to create immersive and hyper-personalized experiences for fans.
See also: Sportradar presents its new annual integrity report
In consideration of the rights and benefits granted under the agreement, Sportradar will pay the applicable annual licensing fees and MLB will issue up to a total of 1,855,724 Class A ordinary shares over the term, subject to customary terms, conditions, and adjustments.
Kenny Gersh, Executive Vice President of Media and Business Development at MLB, said: “Sportradar has been a great partner for MLB, helping us particularly to navigate the legalization and ongoing evolution of the global sports betting landscape. Throughout our partnership, Sportradar has consistently developed excellent products using MLB's top-class data. MLB is thrilled to continue innovating with Sportradar to create engaging products and services for MLB fans worldwide.”
Carsten Koerl, CEO of Sportradar, said: “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with MLB, and this agreement represents a new and exciting chapter in our journey together. Our collaboration is not just about leveraging cutting-edge technology and content, but also about working together to create innovative products that enhance fan engagement and bring them closer to the game.”
He added: “By combining our strengths, we can unlock new opportunities and reach more sports fans worldwide to shape the future of sports entertainment. This agreement, which immediately enhances our business, will generate value for our shareholders as we continue to expand margins and generate strong cash flow.”
