Digital sports media group Perform acquires Opta

logo_optaDigital sports media group Perform today announces the acquisition of sports data company Opta for c. £40m.  The acquisition complements Perform’s existing content distribution business and strengthens the company’s position in the provision of sports content to the media and betting sectors as well as enhancing Perform’s direct to consumer products such as Goal.

Opta is a market leader in collecting, packaging, analysing and distributing sports data in digital format to the media, betting and professional sports sectors. It has been at the forefront of the development of the global market for highly detailed performance data, securing long term rights agreements with the Barclays Premier League, German Bundesliga, The ERC and the England and Wales Cricket Board, amongst others.

The acquisition strengthens both Perform and Opta’s position in key European markets and enhances Perform’s current portfolio of sports content solutions. Opta will also enable Perform to maximise the significant consumer opportunity in rich data by integrating Opta’s suite of products into Perform’s direct to consumer platforms, including leading global football site Goal.

For the full press release click Opta

For comment on the deal click Telegraph FT Reuters