Oracle set to transform Premier League analytics

The Premier League has chosen Oracle to be their official cloud provider, featuring groundbreaking match statistics for live broadcasts.

The Premier League has chosen Oracle to be their official cloud provider, featuring groundbreaking match statistics for live broadcasts beginning from the 2021/22 season.

The collaboration will create greater excitement for every game of the world’s most watched league. With brand new in-match statistics shown during all Premier League matches, this will unlock a greater understanding about what is happening on the pitch.

Oracle’s data and analytics, combined with their machine learning technologies will deliver powerful statistics in real-time to billions of viewers around the world each season. “Match Insights – Powered by Oracle Cloud” will display advanced player performance data for a global broadcast coverage, as well as the Premier League’s social media channels, which will be introduced from the 2021/22 season.

Machine learning models will be designed to generate immediate results related to data streams and real-time tracking data. The scope of this technology allows the collection of facts on each player in the Premier League, coupled with information from thousands of matches in the past.

Research has found how fans are interested in the integration of match data and analysis, with Oracle’s insights able to help tell more stories about Premier League matches, giving fans a data-rich experience. Match information will be available instantly as they need it, whether they are watching from home or at the ground on their mobile phones.

“We are always looking at new ways to bring the Premier League to life and enhance the analysis of the competition. Oracle is a global brand with a great track record of driving innovation, and we look forward to working together to bring new levels of engagement to fans around the world,” Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said.

“Match Insights – Powered by Oracle Cloud” are set to roll out with three different categories that all have their unique values in finding out more about what goes on during a game.

Average Formation – The positions of all players are tracked for when their team is with or without possession. The model can identify differences in how teams organise themselves and ways they structure their line up during attacking and defending phases. Throughout a match, fans will see how teams respond to an opposition’s tactics, giving a glimpse about the strategies utilised in different styles of play by leading coaches.

Live Win Probability – Presents as a statistic that delves deeper into a team’s performance by calculating the chance of a team going on to secure a win or draw – this is done by simulating the remainder of the match 100,000 times to achieve the best possible accuracy in predictions. The model has been built around four years of match data and assesses a range of factors such as if a team is home or away, the current score, penalties awarded, players on the pitch, red cards and time left in the match.

Momentum Tracker – This measures the likelihood of a team that is in possession to score a goal within the next 10 seconds. The results that are uncovered are based on data from thousands of historical games, as well as the last five events in the current possession (how a team is building up play). The model summarises the outcomes of passes, dribbles in possession, tackles and locations on the pitch where those instances take place.

“Combining Oracle’s machine learning expertise with the Premier League’s wealth of football data is a significant merger of technology and sport,” Ariel Kelman said, Oracle executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

“The margins for error in the Premier League are very small, so the data is crucial to discovering the meaningful moments and stories of each match. It’s those stories that unite fans and ignite their passions for the game.”

More Match Insights are expected to be added throughout the 2021/22 Premier League season and beyond, as the upcoming campaign is scheduled to start on August 14, 2021.

You can find out more about Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure and Applications here.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Evolv Technology confirms leadership changes

The American security technology company, Evolv Technology, has fired President and CEO Peter George amid an internal investigation.

Evolv’s security products are used to detect weapons in arenas worldwide, protecting stadiums in football leagues such as the EPL and MLS, plus American sports such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. The iconic MCG in Melbourne also employs Evolv’s security systems.

Evolv’s board had evaluated leadership at the company since May and terminated George’s contract without cause, effective immediately on October 30.

Evolv’s board outlined the need for change, meanwhile thanking Peter for his dedication to the company.

“We appreciate Peter’s years of dedication to our company and his significant contributions to the company’s mission. We wish him well in his future endeavors. That said, we have determined that a change in leadership is needed to improve the company’s culture as we prepare for the next phase of growth,” the board said via press release.

“We continue to believe that the fundamentals of our business remain strong. But we are also convinced that the company can do even better.”

Evolv has chosen co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Michael Ellenbogen as Interim President and CEO, as he imagined the long-term mission for the company.

“As a co-founder, I care deeply for this company and its customers, employees, and shareholders. I look forward to working closely with the board and our senior leadership team to advance our mission of creating a safer world while also driving the business forward,” he said via press release.

The Evolv board also reaffirmed the decision to terminate George’s contract was not in relation to the company’s recent inaccurate financial statements and declaration to delay future statements.

“The Board has been evaluating leadership and performance for several months – long before we became aware of any potential issues relating to the company’s sales practices and financial reporting. With respect to that ongoing investigation, the board remains committed to completing a thorough investigation as expeditiously as possible. Our goal is to ensure the company’s financial reports are always current and reliable and that our organizational culture reflects our values of integrity and honesty. That is the only way we can regain the trust and confidence of our investors.”

Evolv’s internal investigation is still ongoing, while the board aims to appoint a new CEO promptly.

MLS Innovation Lab has confirmed its second group of tech leaders

Major League Soccer (MLS) confirmed six companies have been chosen for the second edition of the MLS Innovation Lab, an initiative that is shaping the future of sports and supporting the league’s ongoing growth.

The initiative seeks to identify and support innovative start-ups and advanced technologies. The new cohort will focus on enhancing the league’s priorities in fan engagement, on-field performance, and media technology.

The MLS Innovation Lab was established in the autumn of 2023 to advance the league’s leadership in sports technology. After nine months of evaluation, selected companies showcased their innovations at the 2024 MLS All-Star Game in Columbus.

This event featured live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies such as advanced GPS player tracking, AI-driven real-time language dubbing, and augmented reality experiences for fans.

In its second iteration, companies will have the chance to present their ideas in real-world settings within the MLS ecosystem. This includes opportunities at events like December’s MLS NEXT Fest in California, the Generation adidas Cup, the MLS NEXT Cup, and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by All-State.

MLS Senior Vice President of Emerging Ventures, Chris Schlosser, mentioned the excitement of joining forces with scalable businesses from around the world.

“MLS continues to be at the forefront of innovation in global sports, The Innovation lab program provides an unparalleled opportunity for high performing companies to turbo-charge their growth, and to showcase their capabilities to the soccer world,” he said via press release.

“We are very excited to partner with this group of excellent start-ups from around the world to co-create new ideas and push the boundaries in sports.”

The following companies have been selected for the second cohort of the MLS Innovation Lab:

Edge Sound Research

EDGE Sound Research is a US-based leader in multimodal audio technology for live entertainment venues and virtual environments. The company focuses on real-time audio object isolation to create personalised experiences for diverse audiences. This innovation allows users to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favourite athletes, musicians, or characters, making unforgettable moments accessible through advanced sound technology.

OLIVER Sports

Based in Spain, OLIVER Sports is at the forefront of player performance monitoring technology, utilising AI to make elite-level data accessible to all soccer players and clubs. Their GPS trackers gather both athletic and soccer-specific metrics, including ball interactions. By providing actionable insights, OLIVER Sports enables coaches and players to improve performance, minimise injuries, and optimise training.

Soccerment

Soccerment, based in Italy, is a sports technology firm offering AI-driven data analytics tools and scalable tracking solutions to improve performance analysis across all levels of soccer. By focusing on proprietary performance indicators and advanced metrics like Expected Goals, Soccerment provides clubs, academies, and players with valuable insights. Their ecosystem features two key products: XSEED, smart shin guards that gather data, and XVALUE, a soccer analytics platform that delivers advanced metrics for match analysis and scouting.

Sportlight

Sportlight Technology is a UK-based sports tech startup that is transforming athlete tracking, physical performance, and injury risk management through its patented LiDAR and AI technology. Their wearable-free system provides elite sports organisations with exceptional accuracy and insights, enhancing player development, injury risk assessment, and rehabilitation. Installed in major stadiums in both the U.S. and abroad, Sportlight is a trusted partner for elite sports teams and leagues.

Lubu

Lubu Technologies, based in Los Angeles, is developing AI-powered wearable technologies aimed at improving athletic performance and recovery. The company has created a footwear-focused solution that analyses how the force of every step, sprint, and cut impacts performance and health. By tracking force impacts, cleat performance, and foot pressure during critical moments, Lubu offers athletes and coaches valuable insights to help optimise performance and enhance gameplay.

Wicket

Wicket, based in Cambridge, Mass, offers a facial authentication platform that enhances event experiences at over 40 stadiums across the U.S. and internationally. Utilising patented computer vision technology, Wicket partners with industry leaders to provide an exceptional guest experience through facial recognition for ticketing, payments, access control, and credentialing. As a privacy-first company, Wicket’s products are designed for opt-in use only.

For additional information on MLS Innovation Lab, click here.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend