FAI signs up TRACKCHAMP as official video and data partner

**ybig** · 03/12/2015, 9:50 AM

The Football Association of Ireland and TRACKCHAMP are pleased to announce a ground-breaking partnership which will see every SSE Airtricity League game live-streamed, outside Ireland, from the start of the 2016 season.

The deal, which will run for an initial four years and has been internationally benchmarked throughout the tender process, establishes TRACKCHAMP as the official video and data partner of Irish football.

TRACKCHAMP will provide an additional source of revenue for the FAI, while improving engagement and performance within the SSE Airtricity League. Up to 15 jobs are expected to be created across the country to maintain TRACKCHAMP as the ultimate data tool to assist in the improvement of performance, on the pitch and in the boardroom.

Throughout next season more than 250 SSE Airtricity League games will be streamed live online, providing global reach, brand awareness and visibility for the League, clubs and its players.

Welcoming the partnership with TRACKCHAMP, John Delaney, CEO with the FAI said: "We are constantly striving to improve the SSE Airtricity League. The introduction of exciting new technologies which will increase global reach and will allow clubs to gather increased technological analysis can only be good for the national game."

Martin Fureder of TRACKCHAMP said: "For us, this is about the democratisation of football. TRACKCHAMP is designed specifically for the ambitious leagues to help bring them closer to the likes of the Premier League and Bundesliga. We are confident that our technology will widen fan engagement and generate new commercial revenue streams for our partner leagues."

The FAI were supported by Steven Burton, Head of Sports Data & Integrity at Coachman's LLP.

About TRACKCHAMP
TRACKCHAMP is a joint venture between CHYRONHEGO, the world leader in real-time tracking technologies and bwin.party digital entertainment, the global online gaming company which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They have brought the best of both experiences together to enable a new way of capturing sports and to provide League and Federations with a platform to boost exposure, player performance, and to create revenue streams.

TRACKCHAMP's many unique features include live-streaming, data collection and video analysis, which will provide a plethora of stats and data to give a substantially more in-depth overview of Irish football.

**Mr A** · 03/12/2015, 9:57 AM

Holy positive development Batman!

Gave this its own thread.

**ybig** · 03/12/2015, 10:02 AM

Games will be more than likely streamed on Bwin similar to NI league id imagine. Great news for the league

**White Horse** · 03/12/2015, 10:02 AM

How much is the deal worth and how much money will go to the clubs?

**Longfordian** · 03/12/2015, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by White Horse

How much is the deal worth and how much money will go to the clubs?

Good luck with getting an answer on that one.

**GCdfc** · 03/12/2015, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by White Horse

How much is the deal worth and how much money will go to the clubs?

No idea and probably a grand total of €0 per club.

**White Horse** · 03/12/2015, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by GCdfc

No idea and probably a grand total of €0 per club.

Assuming the FAI don't increase the annual fee to cover "set up" costs.

**Longfordian** · 03/12/2015, 10:30 AM

It's a positive development all the same but it'd be nice to think the clubs could benefit in some way since they're the ones providing the..entertainment.

**colonelwest** · 03/12/2015, 10:34 AM

As was said above, soon as I saw the Bwin mention in the small print, they'll all be live streamed on the bwin website. Just remember to Joe Gamble responsibly!

**Longfordian** · 03/12/2015, 10:41 AM

Hmm so you'll need a non Irish registered Bwin account to watch the games more than likely. Good for those abroad less so for any of us in ROI.

**Titan** · 03/12/2015, 10:55 AM

Now ye see this where the FAI and clubs will miss a trick. Offer live stream away season tickets to season ticket holders of each club. So say you're a season ticket holder for Sligo. You should be able to buy an away season ticket to see your teams away games online. How much would people pay for that? €80 a year? The combined revenue of all season tickets purchased gets split between the clubs and FAI. Will it happen? HaHaHaHaHaHa no.

**Mr A** · 03/12/2015, 11:12 AM

This is a great opportunity for clubs to reach the diaspora. It should help getting sponsors in as well- especially at league level where it's more likely to be an international brand.

Titan- those sort of Ideas have already been discussed at FHFC and will be raised with the FAI. Maybe the clubs aren't as silly as you think!

**Dodge** · 03/12/2015, 11:15 AM

YOu're off your rocker if you think enough people will pay for that season ticket to make it profitable.

**Titan** · 03/12/2015, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Mr A

This is a great opportunity for clubs to reach the diaspora. It should help getting sponsors in as well- especially at league level where it's more likely to be an international brand.

Totan- those sort of Ideas have already been discussed at FHFC and will be raised with the FAI. Maybe the clubs aren't as silly as you think!

Well in fairness I didnt say they were silly but if a deal hasnt been at this stage it might be difficult to get one done without trackchamp charging extra for it.

**Titan** · 03/12/2015, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

YOu're off your rocker if you think enough people will pay for that season ticket to make it profitable.

Would there be a cost involved in a club website to piggyback on the trackchamp coverage? I mean apart from them saying at this stage great idea lads but we will charge you x amount because it wasnt part of the original deal?