Data and technology supplier Genius Sports has entered into an exclusive international streaming and data partnership with Japan’s national governing body of professional basketball, B.LEAGUE.
In terms of the multi-year partnership, Genius and B.LEAGUE will provide Japanese basketball fans, coaches, administrators and players with access to live data and video insights from more than 1,000 games per season from the top two divisions, B1 and B2.
Genius Sports has also been granted the exclusive rights to capture, manage and distribute B.LEAGUE’s official data and video content to its global network of sportsbook partners. The supplier’s Bet Monitoring System will assist to safeguard Japanese basketball from the threats of match-fixing and betting-related corruption.
Fiba LiveStats, the data collection tool formed by Genius Sports in partnership with the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) will capture advanced play-by-play statistics.
B.LEAGUE Chairman, Shinji Shimada, commented that they are delighted to partner with Genius Sports and with the technology they provide, they will be able to enhance fans’ experience across digital platforms worldwide, while providing new insights to coaches and players and raising the integrity of their league.
Thomas Klingebiel, Commercial Director for Asia-Pacific at Genius Sports, said that amid the huge challenge that sports have faced over the last 12 months, rights holders are looking for innovative platforms to reconnect with fans and generate new revenue streams.
Klingebiel went on to say that together, Fiba LiveStats and GeniusLive will enable the B.LEAGUE to control its live data and video content, transforming how audiences around the world interact with every play.