Sports data provider Sportradar has entered into a strategic partnership extension with the United Soccer League this week for Integrity Services and AV content. The USL recently announced that the 2020 USL Championship season will return on July 11 and that the USL League One season will kick off on July 18 after play was suspended in both leagues due to the spread of COVID-19.
Under the terms of the deal, Sportradar will continue monitoring and analyzing global and domestic betting activity on USL competitions via its Fraud Detection System. It will educate USL teams and players on the risks of match manipulation, and support the league with the implementation of robust sports betting and integrity policies and procedures.
Additionally, the firm gains the international rights to disseminate AV content from the USL Championship and League One matches to licensed sportsbook operators.
“In licensing our international rights through Sportradar for sports betting purposes, we can maximize our leagues’ global exposure in the sports betting space,” said USL SVP of Digital, Emerging Technology and Strategy Lizzie Seedhouse.
“Through the extension of our partnership, we also protect the integrity of our competition by identifying suspicious betting activity and educating our 1,600 USL players, club and league front office staffs, technical staffs and referees on match fraud; two of the most important priorities for us as we navigate the sports betting scene.”
Steve Byrd, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at Sportradar, said: “We are pleased about deepening our partnership with the USL by acquiring the international rights for AV content. With the USL being one of the first US sports leagues to return to live action, the AV component provides a great opportunity to increase fan engagement and expand the reach of the league on a global scale.”
Sportradar’s integrity education support will include live and pre-recorded webinars, delivered in multiple languages, for players, club and league front office staff, technical staff, and referees about the nature and risks of match-fixing and sports manipulation. As part of its Integrity Services, the company will also continue supporting the USL with investigative and due diligence matters through its Intelligence & Investigations Services team.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to extend our partnership with the USL for Integrity Services, and we look forward to the league resuming shortly,” said Andy Cunningham, Head of Integrity Services and League Relations, North America, at Sportradar.
“USL has been a strong partner that consistently prioritizes the integrity of its league. By continuing to work with Sportradar, the USL is ensuring that there’s widespread education across the league about the dangers of match-fixing, while maintaining the necessary resources to identify and escalate issues should they arise.”
