Sony Corporation, the Japanese multinational mass media conglomerate, has acquired a majority stake in StatSports, the GPS sports tracking company backed by England soccer captain Harry Kane.
The firm, founded by Alan Clarke and Sean O’Connor, has provided performance tracking systems and analysis software to leading sports organizations since its launch in 2008.
StatSports provides analysis to top-tier soccer clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City (England), as well as Juventus (Italy), and international rugby teams, including New Zealand and South Africa.
Earlier this week, StatSports was announced as an official performance partner of the British and Irish Lions. Other rugby partners include governing bodies Irish Rugby, NZ Rugby, and the South African Rugby Union, as well as the Gallagher Premiership (England), France’s Top 14, and rugby league’s English Super Rugby competitions.
Kane, who currently plays for German giants Bayern Munich, is among several England players who have invested in StatSports, including Harry Maguire, Phil Foden, Calum Chambers, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Steph Houghton.
Clarke said: “This is a landmark day for StatSports. For 16 years, we have been driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to revolutionize sports performance analysis.
“To be part of the Sony family, and to be aligned with a brand that has such a rich heritage in innovation, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We are excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity to bring our technology to an even wider audience.”
The acquisition will see StatSports integrated into Sony’s sports businesses, which already include technology company Hawk-Eye and AI visualization firm Beyond Sports, to create a comprehensive data and analytics platform for the industry by combining StatSports’ expertise in athlete data collection with its existing capabilities.
It will then allow Sony to provide an end-to-end solution covering data collection, officiating, broadcast enhancements, and fan engagement.
In terms of its acquisitions, Sony bought Hawk-Eye in 2011, before adding Beyond Sport in 2022.
Rufus Hack, chief executive of Hawk-Eye and Beyond Sports, said: “From our conversations, it is clear that StatSports is a business and a brand that is built on a passion for its people and its customers, which is a value we share at Sony’s sports businesses.
“We are delighted to welcome the StatSports team and believe that the acquisition will be a pivotal moment in the sports technology industry.”
