Getty Images
- Genius Sports signed exclusive data partnership in 2019
- Data powers range of officiating, commercial and content opportunities
Genius Sports will apply its skeletal tracking technology across the Premier League, collecting new data from each player in every single match to unlock a range of new content, commercial and operational possibilities.
Skeletal tracking provides the foundation for semi-automated offside technology (SOAT) by tracking every limb on players on the field in real time using Second Spectrum’s intelligent computer vision technology.
Genius Sports claims the extension with English soccer’s top flight is one of the first league-wide skeletal tracking partnerships in world sport, with partners having access to a data feed with sub-second latency that can power a range of use cases that go beyond officiating.
Related posts
This positional data will be used to create new statistics and visualisations for broadcast and digital platforms, such as player speed and shot velocity, while it can also power accurate 3D replications of the entire field.
These recreations can enable new second screen experiences, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) applications, and even entire metaverse environments that put players at the heart of the action. The data collected will also have value to Premier League clubs wanting to optimise performance or prevent injury.
“This partnership is an important next step in demonstrating the way data and advanced technology can amplify storytelling and fan engagement,” said Mark Locke, Genius Sports chief executive.
“Genius has believed deeply in this vision for many years, which is now becoming a reality in partnership with Football DataCo and the Premier League. We’re incredibly excited to work on solutions to enhance how the most popular league in world soccer is consumed by millions of passionate fans worldwide.”
By creating automated 3D renders of every @premierleague match, skeletal tracking will create exciting new opportunities across:
— Genius Sports (@GeniusSports) October 27, 2022
📊 Immersive fan experiences with new angles
⚽️ Automated officiating with offsides & more
▶️Augmented broadcasts with the richest data pic.twitter.com/RvWhqiHc0T
Genius Sports has been the official data partner of Football DataCo (FDC), a licensing company which represents the data rights of the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), since 2019.
“Technology continues to drive how data is collected, analysed and presented,” said Adrian Ford, general manager of FDC. “Working with Genius Sports’ Second Spectrum technology enables FDC to be at the cutting edge of what is possible, and we look forward to developing new ways of using data for our stakeholders.”
