Report: NBA nearing $250 million deal with data company Sportradar

The NBA has for years been among the most progressive sports leagues in the world in its use of technology, which has included the introduction of SportVU cameras in every arena and other innovations. They’re about to take another major step, according to a report from Bloomberg’s Scott Soshnick, who says the league is close to a deal worth $250 million with the Swiss company Sportradar:

Sportradar and data analytics firm Second Spectrum are said to be close to a six-year, $250 million contract with the NBA, according to people familiar with the negotiations. The contract covers an array of rights that includes selling official league data to betting houses, data analytics to teams and the development of a streaming product, said the people, who asked for anonymity because the agreement hasn’t been signed.

Sportradar counts three NBA owners among its investors: Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Hornets owner Michael Jordan and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis. Their involvement with bookmakers worldwide is consistent with the NBA’s support for legalized sports betting, a stance commissioner Adam Silver has taken publicly on multiple occasions.

Sportradar already has data contracts with the NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball, so landing the NBA deal will greater strengthen their hold in the field.