Major League Baseball has not only extended its pact with technology company Sportradar but has also taken an equity position in the company, deepening an already exclusive and collaborative agreement.
Seven More Years
The most recent deal struck between Major League Baseball and Sportradar will see the two companies work together through 2032. The foundation of the collaboration is maximizing baseball’s global reach by giving Sportradar exclusive access and distribution rights to its audio and visual content, proprietary Statcast data, media content, and MLB’s official data.
Sportradar will then use its AI-generated technology to provide a more immersive experience for baseball fans and provide its 800 sportsbook clients and 900 media companies around the world with more comprehensive and innovative MLB content.
Partnership Continues to Evolve
Sportradar and Major League Baseball have been working together since 2014, and at the end of this latest pact, the companies will have been together for 18 years, with MLB recently acquiring an equity interest in Sportradar.
Kenny Gersh, MLB Executive Vice President of 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. Throughout 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 of Sportradar, added, “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.”
Integrity
In addition to all the aforementioned services Sportradar is providing Major League Baseball, it is also offering its Synergy Sports Coaching & Scouting service to MLB, providing it with state-of-the-art sports performance analysis of the league and its 30 franchises.
Moreover, there is also Sportradar’s Universal Fraud Detection System that monitors matches and sporting events throughout the world. The system will continue to monitor MLB betting wherever it originates and will report suspicious wagering activity to the league and provide investigative services.
Sportradar Integrity Services reported that suspicious betting activity decreased in 2024 compared to 2023 by 17% after monitoring 850,000 sporting events across 70 sports, including Major League Baseball. Most of the suspicious activity emanated from Europe, and mainly on soccer matches.
- 17% decrease in overall suspicious matches detected (1,108 in 2024 vs 1,335 in 2023)
- 34% reduction in suspicious matches in Europe (439 in 2024 vs 668 in 2023)
- 36% decrease in suspicious matches in Africa (69 in 2024 vs 108 in 2023)
- 48% reduction in Brazilian soccer suspicious matches (57 in 2024 vs 110 in 2023)
