Soccer’s Saudi Pro League (SPL) has expanded its data partnership with Stats Perform, the international sports and data technology provider.
The new agreement will give every top-flight Saudi club and the league’s own media and digital teams access to new tools and performance insights, powered by Opta and OptaAI, “to enhance on-field analysis and further deepen fan and sponsor engagement.”
The extended agreement includes OptaAI-powered Opta Vision, Stats Perform’s performance data tool, captured from every SPL, King’s Cup and Super Cup fixture played throughout the season, and made available to each club’s performance analysis department.
Opta Vision combines complete player tracking, on-ball event and aggregated fitness data, alongside multiple AI-powered predictive metrics.
The software’s data from dozens of overseas competitions will also be made available to recruitment analysts working for SPL clubs.
Through the expanded tie-up, the two parties will also focus on fan engagement across official SPL channels, with Opta feeds “powering a wider range of new fan experiences, both pre-match and in-game.”
These include the stats hub on the official SPL website and app, the official RSL Fantasy game and the syndicated world broadcast feed, which will be enhanced with data insights and graphics.
Live Opta data feeds will also be available to the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, official league partners and the media departments at every SPL club, “expanding sponsorable content on their official websites and enabling them to produce and share data-driven stories to grow supporters across social channels.”
Omar Mugharbel, Saudi Pro League CEO, said: “Aided by strategic partnerships, including our collaboration with Stats Perform, we harness innovative data solutions like live Opta feeds and AI-powered Opta Vision data to enhance club performance analysis and scouting.
“This commitment to excellence drives our clubs' competitive edge and enriches fans ensuring the SPL continues to set new standards with its partners in delivering unforgettable football experiences to a global audience.”
Stats Perform’s chief revenue officer, Steve Xeller, added: “We are delighted that the Saudi Pro League are the latest to expand their use of our services to include OptaAI-powered solutions.
“Our people, including our dedicated team in the region, will continue to work to help ensure the SPL and its clubs continue to go from strength-to-strength, on the field and off it, for the benefit of their growing audience of millions of global fans.”
The SPL last week entered into a long-term, strategic tie-up with soccer video and editorial site OneFootball.
Through that agreement, official video and editorial content from the 18-team league will be published and then amplified across OneFootball, including match clips, highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, and social media clips.
