Panda Interactive, a Las Vegas-based betting data supplier, has expanded its legal complaints against sports data and technology heavyweights Genius Sports and Sportradar.
Panda has now added parallel antitrust claims to the original patent infringement legal action that it originally launched in October 2023.
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The original lawsuit essentially accused Genius (headquartered in London) and Sportradar (headquartered in Switzerland) of using a range of Panda-owned patents for products including Genius’ LiveData, LiveTrading, and BetVision, as well as Sportradar video streaming products such as emBet and Sportradar OTT.
Now, the complaints have been amended and expanded to include allegations that both defendants have blocked possible competition from the market partly by tying access to their data to purchasing of their products and are thus engaging in anti-competitive conduct.
Donald Schupak, chair at Panda Interactive, has stated: “The defendants’ bullying takes bad behavior to new heights – illegally using our own patented technology against us by packaging it with their platform, tying it to their exclusive data, and effectively shutting the door to fair competition.”
In response, Sportradar has told GlobalData Sport: “Like most commercial enterprises, we do not comment on pending litigation matters – even unfounded litigation. That said, we can assure you that we operate our business in compliance with existing laws and regulations. We are confident in our defense of this matter and intend to defend these allegations vigorously.”
Genius has, so far, not provided comment on the matter.
Panda has said it is looking to secure a court order preventing the two defendants from engaging in further anti-competitive practices, as well as pursuing damages.
It has been alleged that Genius and Sportradar have “forced sportsbooks and media companies into restrictive technology deals,” over the last few years.
The claims allege that the two parties have made using their technology a pre-condition for sports books to access their real-time data, which they control exclusively through major deals with most of the top US sports properties – including American football's NFL, basketball’s NBA, and baseball’s MLB.
Panda is being represented in this issue by King & Spalding.
A motion to dismiss made by Sportradar was rejected in August 2024 by a Texas court.
In terms of recent Genius and Sportradar activity, earlier this week Genius published its full-year 2024 and fourth-quarter financial results.
Sportradar, meanwhile, unveiled a new long-term deal with MLB in February, which involves the baseball property taking an equity stake in its partner.
The overall tie-up between the two parties has now been extended to 2032.
