The data market in football may not capture the same attention as the transfer market, but its significance is undeniable. Top clubs are increasingly relying on numbers, statistics, and algorithms for scouting, team analysis, and assessing opponents. Recently, Hudl, a technology giant in sports analytics, announced its acquisition of StatsBomb, a move that had been anticipated since June.
Hudl recognized StatsBomb as the leading provider of football data due to its depth and accuracy, making it the number one data source in the sport. The collaboration aims to elevate data analysis to unprecedented levels. This acquisition marks Hudl’s thirteenth, having previously acquired Wyscout, a company founded in Chiavari that has grown into a global leader in football video provision. Other competitors include InStat, Wimu, Sportstec, and RealTrack Systems.
“We focus on innovation to support team strategy, scouting, and performance analysis. Italian clubs have always been on the forefront of data analysis, and this partnership will give them an additional edge,” stated Alessandro Cogozzo, Hudl’s sales manager in Italy. The clear goal is to provide integrated solutions by combining top-level video and data in one ecosystem, streamlining collaboration between different departments within clubs.
Interestingly, there’s another Italian angle to this story. The Serie A League is in discussions with Hudl regarding the sale of video rights for the 2024-25 season. The topic was raised in their assembly on August 16 and will be revisited on August 26, where there is optimism about reaching a deal. Hudl is already the provider for all 20 Serie A clubs.
This acquisition reinforces the idea that football’s future is heavily data-driven. The “Moneyball” approach, wherein data is used to select cost-effective players, has been a dominating trend in recent transfer windows. StatsBomb, founded in 2016 by Charlotte Randall and Ted Knutson—who previously worked with Brentford and Midtjylland—has gained acclaim for its graphics and data quality. Last season, they collaborated with dozens of clubs across Europe, including those in lower leagues.
On the other hand, Hudl supports over 230,000 clubs across 40 different sports with data analytics, video footage, AI cameras, and wearable technology, such as data-tracking vests for training sessions. Clearly, their commitment to enhancing sports data analysis continues to evolve.