Bath-based sports analysis firm StatsBomb, which started as a blog for football statistics fans 11 years ago, has been acquired by a major US sports data company.
New owner Hudl plans to continue to grow the business, which has gone from three employs in 2016 to more than 1,000 across 15 countries.
It said by harnessing Statsbomb’s expertise it could build the world’s most advanced sports data and video platform.
The idea for StatsBomb came from former sports betting manager Ted Knutson, pictured below, while he was recovering from chemotherapy following testicular cancer.
Having worked as head of player analytics for Brentford and Danish club Midtjylland, he wanted to create a place to centralise good analysis from around the internet.
He teamed up Charlotte Randall, a former programme manager at Somerset shoe manufacturer and retail Clarks, to launch StatsBomb as a business in early 2017.
A year later it started its data analytics operation, now viewed as a turning point for football analysis as it introduced a range of new metrics such as pressures, shot impact height and goalkeeper positioning.
Also in 2018, the firm, then based in the University of Bath’s Innovation Centre, acquired a data collection company based in Cairo, Egypt, where it now employs most of its analytics staff.
This was followed by the launch of its StatsBomb 360 product in 2021, which added teammate and opposition locations to the 3,400 events collected per match and was quickly adopted by Liverpool.
In 2022, it expanded into American Football, using its expertise in football to develop a new industry standard for NFL and College data.
Today Statsbomb provides full coverage of more than 100 football competitions across the world, with around three-quarters of the Premier League and Championship clubs using the service.
Both Ted Knutson and Charlotte Randall have now left the business, which recently reported annual turnover of £10m, following Hudl’s takeover. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Already the world’s leading provider of cloud-based technology connecting video and data for the sports industry, Hudl said it would now integrate Statsbomb’s services into its own ahead of collaborating on future products for its global customers.
The company works with 230,000 sports teams across 40-plus sports, from grassroots to professional leagues.
Ted Knutson said: “This deal reinforces StatsBomb’s commitment and belief in the power of data in sport. We know data driven teams make better decisions on and off the field of play.
“Pairing StatsBomb’s unique data and statistical models with Hudl’s video capabilities will enable superior match analysis, scouting, and player recruitment.
“By bringing StatsBomb into Hudl’s suite of best-in-class products and services, we’re helping sporting organizations streamline how they uncover immediate actionable insights.”
Hudl chief product officer John Wirtz added: "At Hudl, we know coaches and analysts demand the highest quality video and data. And that’s why we’re building the world’s most advanced data and video platform.
“Together with StatsBomb, we’re unlocking more workflows with deeper team and player data. I’m excited our customers will have access to this critical data in one platform to improve the performance of their teams and change the way they see the game.”
