AFC names Sportradar as video and data distribution partner

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has enlisted the services of Sportradar, signing an eight-year global data and video rights contract with the digital media firm, running from 2021 until 2028. 

The deal, which was negotiated by Football Marketing Asia (FMA), will see Sportradar collect and distribute audio-visual content and match data from AFC national team tournaments and club competitions.

The agreement covers major events such as the 2023 Asian Cup, hosted by China, and annual AFC Champions League over two separate cycles; 2021 to 2024 and 2025 to 2028.

“We welcome Sportradar as our official video and data distribution partner,” AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Windsor John, commented. “The agreement will bring AFC football closer to an ever-growing international fanbase and consumers.”

Since 2013, the AFC has utilised Sportradar’s integrity services to monitor corruption and betting-related incidents within its competitions. Last year, the two parties took up the option to extend the agreement from 2020 to 2023, with AFC stating that since partnering with Sportradar it had seen a 21% decrease in match-fixing across Asia.

Sportradar CEO, Carsten Koerl, said: “We are proud to partner with the AFC in this watershed moment for Asian football.

“With the importance of Asia, we believe that this agreement is a strategic opportunity that will provide Sportradar further leverage in the region with a sport that is growing exponentially in terms of participation and viewership.

“This puts us in an unrivalled position that will showcase a wider range of services we have to offer to engage more sports rights holders in the region.”

Sportradar has taken over the contract from Stats Perform which acted as the AFC’s official data provider during the 2017/20 cycle.

Patrick Murphy, Board Member and CEO at FMA, added: “Innovation has always been key for the new era of Asian football. Enabling AFC data and related media to be distributed in real time and with minimum delay is key in enhancing the fans’ experience, which in turn positively impacts the value of AFC football.”

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