Genius Sports announces expanded partnership with NCAA
Genius Sports has successfully extended its partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) through 2032, solidifying its role as the exclusive data provider for the prestigious March Madness basketball tournament.
On April 25, the expanded agreement was announced, confirming that Genius Sports will exclusively supply official NCAA data to licensed sportsbooks for March Madness, in addition to all other post-season tournaments.
This enhancement to their long-term partnership will afford sportsbooks exclusive access to official NCAA data feeds. Utilizing its Authorised Gaming Licensee (AGL) program, Genius Sports aims to bolster integrity protections and advocate for responsible gambling practices across platforms.
The AGL program not only grants sportsbooks exclusive access to authentic NCAA data but also to NCAA branding elements.
The NCAA’s official platform for live game statistics, NCAA LiveStats, will remain freely accessible to all member schools, delivering comprehensive data for over 70,000 games annually.
In addition, the partnership will leverage GeniusIQ—an advanced artificial intelligence platform—to refine LiveStats, delivering real-time analytics for schools and coaches, as well as enhancing fan engagement tools.
Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, remarked that this extended partnership builds upon the company’s collaboration with the NCAA that began in 2018, noting its transformative impact on the college sports data landscape.
“This extension is a powerful endorsement of our vision to provide cutting-edge data solutions that support NCAA institutions while connecting our sportsbook partners with the highest quality NCAA content, alongside our exclusive NFL and Premier League rights,” Locke stated. “Most importantly, it’s a partnership rooted in innovation, integrity, and a shared commitment to advancing collegiate athletics.”
Protection of Rights
Sources indicate that the NCAA intends to implement measures to safeguard its rights, particularly concerning in-venue official data rights and scouting protocols.
In October 2022, Genius Sports reached an out-of-court settlement with Sportradar, effectively prohibiting Sportradar from engaging in unauthorized in-stadium data collection activities.
This legal resolution followed Genius’s exclusive agreement to collect, license, and distribute live data from the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Professional Football League, which Sportradar contested as a breach of UK and EU competition laws. However, the settlement granted Sportradar a sublicence for delayed secondary feed access, while instituting a ban on in-game unofficial scouting.
In conclusion, the ongoing collaboration between Genius Sports and the NCAA underscores the critical importance of data integrity and responsible gambling in the evolving landscape of college athletics. As partnerships like these shape the future, they bring forth innovations that enhance both the sporting experience and betting integrity, ensuring a safe environment for fans and stakeholders alike.
