MLB and Sportradar announce partnership extension for data and content distribution, enhancing fan engagement and promoting global growth.
Quiver AI Summary
Major League Baseball (MLB) and Sportradar Group AG have announced a long-term extension and expansion of their partnership, starting with the 2025 season. This collaboration aims to enhance the use of MLB's data and audiovisual content globally, coinciding with the increasing popularity of baseball in markets like Latin America and Asia and the growing legalization of sports betting. As part of the agreement, MLB has acquired an equity stake in Sportradar, which will exclusively distribute MLB's official data and media content to its extensive network of sportsbook clients and media companies. Furthermore, the two organizations plan to develop AI-driven products using player tracking data to create personalized fan experiences. Sportradar will continue to provide integrity services to monitor global betting activity. Both organizations expressed enthusiasm for this new chapter in their partnership, emphasizing their commitment to fan engagement and innovation in sports entertainment.
Potential Positives
- MLB has secured a long-term extension and expansion of its partnership with Sportradar, enhancing the potential for revenue growth and global reach.
- MLB has obtained an equity stake in Sportradar, which solidifies the partnership and aligns both organizations' interests for future growth opportunities.
- The agreement allows Sportradar to exclusively distribute MLB’s data and media content to an extensive network of 800 sportsbook clients and 900 media companies, increasing MLB's exposure.
- The collaboration on AI-driven products aims to enhance fan engagement and create innovative experiences, which can attract a younger audience to the sport.
Potential Negatives
- The announcement of the partnership extension may draw attention to MLB's increasing reliance on sports betting for revenue, which could be viewed negatively by traditional fans and stakeholders concerned about the integrity of the sport.
- Despite the positive tone of the release, the mention of needing to ensure integrity through Sportradar’s fraud detection services could raise concerns about potential past incidents or the need for such measures in a partnership.
- MLB's equity stake in Sportradar could lead to perceptions of increased financial vulnerability if Sportradar's business fails to perform as expected, impacting MLB's financial health as well.
FAQ
What is the new partnership between MLB and Sportradar about?
The partnership focuses on expanding MLB's data and audiovisual content while increasing global exposure for baseball, beginning in the 2025 season.
How will this agreement benefit MLB and Sportradar?
The agreement includes an equity stake for MLB in Sportradar, enhancing collaboration and innovation for fan engagement and integrity services.
What specific services will Sportradar provide to MLB?
Sportradar will exclusively distribute MLB’s official data and AV content, and continue offering best-in-class integrity services for sports betting.
How does this partnership address the growing popularity of baseball?
The partnership capitalizes on baseball's popularity growth in markets like Latin America and Asia, providing more data and content for sportsbooks and media companies.
What has been MLB's recent performance in viewership?
MLB has seen significant viewership growth, including an 18% increase in international viewership and record streaming minutes for MLB.TV.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$SRAD Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 76 institutional investors add shares of $SRAD stock to their portfolio, and 31 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- ARROWMARK COLORADO HOLDINGS LLC removed 1,348,351 shares (-30.1%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $16,328,530
- DIVISADERO STREET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP added 1,279,141 shares (+170.4%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $15,490,397
- MILLENNIUM MANAGEMENT LLC removed 1,244,008 shares (-76.0%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $15,064,936
- GRANAHAN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC added 1,078,667 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $13,062,657
- PORTOLAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC added 995,953 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $12,060,990
- MIC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT UK LLP added 925,926 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024, for an estimated $11,212,963
- SECURITY BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE CO /KS/ removed 804,963 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $13,958,058
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
Full Release
NEW YORK and ST GALLEN, Switzerland, Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Major League Baseball (MLB) and Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD) today announced a long-term extension and expansion of their decade-long partnership, set to begin with the 2025 season, aimed at unlocking the full potential of MLB’s data and audiovisual (AV) content while growing America’s pastime worldwide. As part of the agreement, MLB has acquired an equity 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 across its global client network, which spans 800 sportsbook clients and 900 media companies. The continued, growing popularity of baseball in markets like Latin America and Asia, combined with the increasing legalization of sports betting, creates an opportunity for expanded utilization of MLB content and data.
To ensure the integrity of the sport, Sportradar will continue to provide best-in-class integrity services, including Sportradar’s Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) to monitor global betting activity, as well as offer investigative and educational support to MLB.
Additionally, Sportradar and MLB will collaborate on the creation of AI-driven products powered by player tracking data to create immersive, hyper-personalized fan experiences.
In consideration of the rights and benefits granted under the arrangement, Sportradar will pay the applicable annual license fees and MLB will be issued up to an aggregate of 1,855,724 Class A ordinary shares during the term, subject to customary terms, conditions and adjustments.
Kenny Gersh, MLB Executive Vice President, Media & Business Development, said:
“Sportradar has been a great partner to MLB, particularly helping us navigate the legalization and continued evolution of the global sports betting landscape. Over the course of our partnership, Sportradar has consistently developed great products utilizing MLB’s best-in-class data. MLB is delighted to continue innovating with Sportradar to create engaging products and services for MLB fans globally.”
Carsten Koerl, Chief Executive Officer, Sportradar, said:
“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with MLB, and this agreement represents a new, exciting chapter in our journey together. Our collaboration is not only about leveraging cutting edge technology and content but also working together to create innovative products that enhance fan engagement and bring fans closer to the game. By combining our strengths, we can unlock new opportunities and reach more sports fans around the globe to shape the future of sports entertainment. This deal, which is immediately accretive to our business, will drive value for our shareholders as we continue to expand margins and generate strong cash flow.”
Sportradar has been an official partner of MLB since 2014. Most recently,
MLB selected Sportradar’s Synergy Sports
Coaching & Scouting solution to provide unparalleled sports performance analysis to the league and its 30 Clubs.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB has achieved back-to-back attendance gains for the first time in 12 years with an overall increase of +11% and 80% of Clubs welcoming more fans over the last two seasons following extensive rule changes that have improved the quality of play on the field. With the 2024 season featuring the best time of game in 40 years and the most stolen bases in 109 years, MLB viewership increased across all its national media partners, grew international viewership by +18%, set another record for MLB.TV streaming with more than 14 billion minutes watched and earned League of the Year honors from Sports Business Journal and the CLIOS. As the league increased its marketing efforts and promotion of star players like 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani and 2024 AL MVP Aaron Judge, MLB has significantly increased its younger fan base as evidenced through viewership, social media, ticket purchasing, and participation metrics. Through its MLB Together social responsibility efforts, MLB remains committed to making a positive impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world. With the continued success of MLB Network, MLB digital platforms and local media production and distribution, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America's National Pastime and a truly global game. To learn more about MLB, please visit www.mlb.com.
ABOUT SPORTRADAR
Sportradar Group AG (NASDAQ: SRAD), founded in 2001, is a leading global sports technology company creating immersive experiences for sports fans and bettors. Positioned at the intersection of the sports, media and betting industries, the company provides sports federations, news media, consumer platforms and sports betting operators with a best-in-class range of solutions to help grow their business. As the trusted partner of organizations like the ATP, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, UEFA, FIFA, CONMEBOL and the Bundesliga, Sportradar covers close to a million events annually across all major sports. With deep industry relationships and expertise, Sportradar is not just redefining the sports fan experience, it also safeguards sports through its Integrity Services division and advocacy for an integrity-driven environment for all involved.
For more information about Sportradar, please visit
www.sportradar.com
Contacts:
Major League Baseball
Dave Hochman
David.Hochman@mlb.com
Sportradar
Sandra Lee - Media
sandra.lee@sportradar.com
Jim Bombassei – Investor Relations
j.bombassei@sportradar.com
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