The NBA is nearing a $250 million deal with data analytics company Sportsradar AG, according to Bloomberg Technology. Sportsradar’s main clients include global bookmakers, meaning this deal could signify the NBA’s interest in sports betting in the future.
Last year, Sportsradar took on three NBA owners (Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban, and Ted Leonsis) as investors. The three owners have helped the company expand into the US.
The company and its partner Second Spectrum will have access to league data and the ability to sell it to betting houses as part of the contract. Additionally, they will have the ability to sell data to teams and develop a streaming product.
The deal has not been officially signed, yet, so no comments have been made by either party.
Adam Silver has spoken favorably about sports betting before. He has maintained that it is an inevitable business. By signing this deal, the NBA is getting out in front of the market. In the United States, 46 states have forbidden sports betting.
Sportsradar is also the official data partner for the NFL and NHL. It has built its business through social media. The company has also sold data to the Associated Press, as well as daily fantasy sports companies like FanDuel.
More details are sure to seep in once the deal becomes official. This could be a significant step for the NBA as well as the state of sports betting in the US.
