FIFPRO Technologies, a new division of the global labor union for professional soccer players, has announced a long-term partnership with Sports Data Labs which includes an equity stake in the international technology provider.
Through the tie-up, the pair will launch a global technology platform for players that will enable them to collect, control, and monetize their data collected both on and off the pitch.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The platform will allow players worldwide to store, access, and share their personal data and other player information gathered from across their careers via “one, union and player-controlled data repository.”
This includes tracking data, physiological data, medical records, genetic data, and other information – including statistical and contextual information – gathered from wearable devices, optical tracking technologies, electronic medical record (EMR) systems, and other sources.
Using AI-based technologies designed for the benefit of the players and based on their preferences and consent, the platform will enable them to “host, manage, and exploit such data on both an anonymized and identifiable basis.”
Under the partnership, FIFPRO Technologies becomes a shareholder in SDL, joining the National Football League Players Association and global healthcare provider Cleveland Clinic.
The open platform will allow collaboration with approved third parties, acting as an aggregator of data on behalf of players – including match and training data from clubs and national teams, as well as non-soccer-related personal data.
Use of the platform will be free for all professional players and FIFPRO union members. It will also act as “an authoritative centralized clearinghouse for all third-party uses of their personal data, enabling players to establish their terms, conditions, and permissions for how they want their data to be used.”
Players will participate in a revenue share for any commercialization opportunities with their data that they elect to participate in through the platform.
As part of the agreement, SDL becomes the official player data collection, consent management, and monetization provider for FIFPRO Technologies.
Over the coming months, FIFPRO Technologies and SDL will work with players and their unions to “initiate pilot programs and identify various technology and data partners interested in being part of the FIFPRO player data ecosystem, to launch the platform in 2025.”
The platform will include a front-facing player portal powered by SDL that will feature data-based products and services developed by partners approved by FIFPRO Technologies.
Andrew Orsatti, FIFPRO commercial director, said: “We are delighted to enter this long-term partnership with Sports Data Labs and embark on an important initiative that will change the landscape of data usage and distribution.
“Our platform will allow players to regain control of their personal data while safeguarding and managing this information throughout their careers and creating new value across the entire ecosystem around professional football."
Mark Gorski, Sports Data Labs CEO, added: “We are proud to partner with FIFPRO and empower footballers globally with the technology-based tools to collect, control, and unlock new value with their data.
“By democratizing player data in ways that build larger longitudinal data sets and put the individual athlete at the epicenter of how their data gets used and shared, we will ultimately enable significantly more value to be created in the football ecosystem.
“This includes powering an entirely new understanding of the principal biological drivers of human performance in football at all levels, including youth and amateur, as well as new use cases that will support players in achieving their data-driven goals.”
