US tech giant scores with acquisition of Bath sports data company
US sports technology giant Hudl has acquired Bath-based football analytics company StatsBomb.
StatsBomb was founded by Bath-based Ted Knutson and Charlotte Randall in 2017 and continues to have a physical presence in the city.
Originally based at Bath University’s Innovation Centre, the company outgrew its space in 2020, moving to 100% remote working during the pandemic.
It is the world’s fastest growing sports data company. Having started as an analytics blog, StatsBomb initially progressed to consulting on data-driven recruitment and performance analysis for professional teams.
In 2018, having become frustrated with limitations of the data available at the time, StatsBomb acquired ArqamFC, a data collection company based in Cairo, Egypt, and started to collect and supply its own data and convert to a SAAS based organisation.
Having gained rapid traction since its inception, StatsBomb is now servicing customers across the professional game, as well as betting and gaming operators, and is active in over 25 countries.
“This deal reinforces StatsBomb’s commitment in the power of data in sport. We know data driven teams make better decisions. Pairing StatsBomb’s data and statistical models with Hudl’s video capabilities will enable superior match analysis, scouting, and player recruitment. Bringing StatsBomb into Hudl’s suite of products and services, we’re helping sporting organizations streamline uncovering actionable insights,” said StatsBomb CEO and co-founder Ted Knutson.
“At Hudl, we know coaches and analysts demand the highest quality video and data. Together with StatsBomb, we’re unlocking more workflows with deeper team and player data. Our customers will have access to this critical data in one platform to improve the performance of their teams and change the way they see the game,” said John Wirtz, Hudl chief product officer.
In 2022, StatsBomb expanded its rich data analysis into American football. Together, Hudl and StatsBomb will pair detailed in-game athlete data and video. This will be presented with easy-to-use visualisations to enhance football strategy and player recruitment.
Hudl’s integrated suite of video and data features best-in-class software, AI cameras, wearables and services serving 230,000 sports teams across 40plus sports from grassroots to professional leagues.
“Coming together we’re providing organisations the most holistic view of their team and player data, ensuring they can seamlessly capture, analyze and act,” said Wirtz. “This is an exciting chapter for both businesses, creating more opportunities for innovation, growth and development for our employees, customers and future customers.”
StatsBomb was advised on legal, tax and corporate finance matters by Northridge (Mike Herbert, Scott Treleaven and Lucy Bayley), Winslows (Matthew Wentworth-May and JD Gosh) and Park Place (Richard Firth and Adam Trevisani) respectively.
Hudl was advised by Charles Russell Speechlys (Keir Gordon and Molly Moseley).
