Streaming live squash to bookmakers will be supported by digital data sharing
By Squash Mad Reporter
The PSA have announced two important contracts this week, one an extension of their agreement with digital content group Perform, and a new arrangement with data specialists Sportradar to supply information to the growing sports betting market.
The PSA have extended their contract with leading digital sports content group PERFORM, in a move that will see PERFORM stream over 300 matches from the PSA World Tour to bookmakers around the world via its Watch&Bet service until the end of 2017.
Using live footage provided by SQUASHTV, the PSA’s official online streaming channel, Watch&Bet will provide coverage of the biggest events in the squash calendar to some of the world’s largest bookmakers, opening the sport up to a global audience and generating new revenue streams for the PSA.
“PERFORM are leading experts in the sports video sector and we have worked with them for the past five years through a similar agreement and we are delighted to be continuing our association with them,” said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.
“We feel the service provided by Watch&Bet perfectly complements the service that we offer squash fans via our own online channel, SQUASHTV, and feel certain that the agreement will reap further benefits for us over the course of the next few years.”
Ross MacEacharn, Managing Director, Content Distribution, PERFORM, said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the PSA across our Watch&Bet service. The platform provides the sport with an opportunity to commercialise content in regions and sectors that were not previously available and form an integral part of squash’s future developments.”
About PERFORM
PERFORM is the world’s leading digital sports content group. Through unrivalled global content collection, production and distribution capabilities PERFORM creates digital products that drive traffic, engagement and revenues for over 2,600 of the world’s leading media and betting companies and enable brands to engage with over 180 million sports fans every month.
www.performgroup.com
Sportradar Becomes PSA’s Official Sports Data Partner
The PSA have signed a four-year agreement with sports data specialists Sportradar that will see them become the PSA’s Official Sports Data Partner.
Effectively immediately, the agreement will see Sportradar granted the rights to distribute all PSA data to the betting and media industry, including data from the Women’s Squash Association (WSA) tour after they joined forces with the PSA on January 1, 2015.
Over the term of the partnership information from more than 3,000 squash events will be collected and will include data from the PSA’s new Official TriRef System – a wireless electronic refereeing programme that allows all three match referees to make independent judgements about match incidents, without the knowledge of their fellow arbiters, to determine the outcome of decisions.
“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Sportradar in a partnership that will allow us to further promote our sport around the world through new media channels, especially within the betting market,” said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.
“It will be a great opportunity for us to increase the awareness of squash within the marketplace and create new revenue streams for the sport and we look forward to working closely with Sportradar over the next four years as we both look to grow the sport.”
Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl said: “Squash is one of the most demanding and fast-paced sports in the world and following the growth in its popularity over the last few years, we are very pleased to add it to our portfolio and to offer the sport a new opportunity to attract new fans and followers.
“Our partnership also unlocks new data-driven insights for existing fans, who will now get an even greater feel for the sport they love.”