Northbrook, IL – June 12, 2014 – STATS LLC, the world’s leading sports technology, data and content provider, announced that it has been acquired by Vista Equity Partners, strengthening the opportunity for continued innovation in the use and dissemination of sports data and revolutionizing the way sporting events are viewed, analyzed, understood and enjoyed.
The transaction, originally announced May 15, 2014, closed Friday, June 6, 2014. Vista, a leading private equity firm with approximately $11.5 billion in cumulative capital commitments in software, data and technology-enabled services companies, purchased the company from FOX Sports and The Associated Press.
Founded in 1981 and headquartered outside Chicago, STATS has a presence across 13 countries worldwide. The company has more than 30 years of experience in sophisticated sports data collection, processing and distribution. By leveraging the unparalleled amount of sports data amassed over the years, and by further investing in innovative new technologies and analytics, STATS has the power to continue transforming the way sports content is used and consumed.
“STATS has an impressive record of changing the way professional sports are delivered to its customers and consumed by fans,” said Robert F. Smith, CEO and founder of Vista Equity Partners. “Their seasoned management team has a track record of value creation and we are eager to build upon that success to better provide customers and partners with new products, datasets and technology that will help them grow their own businesses.”
“This is a huge opportunity for us and our 600+ global customers,” said Gary Walrath, CEO of STATS. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Vista as we look to accelerate our growth and provide best-in-class solutions. With the most expansive sports data set in North America covering nearly 45,000 live sports events annually, a deepening global footprint and our long-standing professional sports league relationships, STATS is well-positioned to transform and define the next generation of sports information services and solutions.”
“STATS is a highly successful enterprise that we expect will continue its growth and innovation under Vista,” said AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt.
“We believe that STATS will continue to excel as a leader in sports technology, data and content, scaling even greater heights under Vista’s direction,” said Eric Shanks, President and COO, FOX Sports.