French soccer’s LFP governing body has today unveiled a five-year artificial intelligence-based tie-up with WSC Sports, the sports-focused AI-powered video content provider.
Through a half-decade-long partnership, Israel-based WSC Sports will analyze every Ligue 1 (top tier), Ligue 2 (second tier), and Trophee des Champions game in real-time, and will then produce, manage, and distribute the video content produced during these fixtures.
The firm's technology will, it has said, “create a wide range of personalized content in different durations, formats, and aspect ratios,” which can be used across all LFP platforms and viewing channels.
The LFP will be able to use WSC Sports to produce a range of short and long-form content for use on the league’s website, apps, and various social media channels.
The content will also be shared across the LFP’s range of international broadcast partners, through a media hub.
As well as real-time content from upcoming games, WSC Sports will also work to analyze 20 years of past Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games from the archives, enabling memorable moments to be “reproduced into any aspect ratio.”
Ben Morel, chief executive at the LFP Media entity which looks after the body's commercial affairs, has said: “Our digital content strategy is absolutely central to our broader objectives, we are therefore thrilled to partner with WSC Sports, a proven pioneer when it comes to AI-tailored content experiences. Their platform will propel our ability to produce and share more content on LFP channels and with our global broadcast partners for worldwide distribution."
This deal follows hot on the heels of the LFP unveiling an agreement with Eurovision Services, through which that firm becomes the worldwide distributor of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 action, late last month.
A three-year contract will start immediately with the ongoing 2024-25 season and run through the 2026-27 campaign. Feeds of over 1,200 hours of live French soccer will be distributed globally by Eurovision Services via its range of satellite, cable, and Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) technology.
The LFP has been scrambling, over the last few months, to fill its international broadcast partner stable for the new cycle, which began at the start of the 2024-25 season back in August.
Aviv Arnon, WSC Sports’ co-founder and chief business development officer, added: “We are delighted to be establishing AI-powered automated content creation that will significantly scale the production and distribution of video content for the league and its clubs. This will help unlock the potential of the LFP’s competitions by expanding content reach, growing fandom, and unlocking revenue opportunities.”
Over the last few months, WSC Sports has announced partnerships with soccer competitions such as the top men’s leagues in both the Czech Republic and Belgium. A deal with the National Women's Soccer League in the US, meanwhile, was unveiled in May.
Most recently, it entered into a multi-year deal with German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund.
