IMG ARENA invests in computer vision specialist Signality

Enables IMG ARENA to capture richer, faster and more accurate data on behalf of sports leagues and federations, enhancing fan experience and engagement

IMG ARENA, a leading sports data and technology business, announced today a strategic investment in Swedish computer vision specialist Signality. Providing IMG ARENA with a controlling interest, the investment will enhance IMG ARENA’s data collection capabilities with leading computer vision and camera technologies.

Combined with IMG ARENA’s leading products, extensive network, and operational scale, Signality’s deep tech, cloud-based platform, which uses artificial intelligence to extract highly accurate sports event tracking data in real-time, provides sports leagues and federations, and ultimately fans, an enriched experience, driving greater fan engagement content solutions.

Established in 2016, the Sweden-based company will become part of London-headquartered IMG ARENA with continued oversight from co-founders Mikael Rousson and Michael Hoglund.

Brad van Wely, Chief Product Officer, IMG ARENA, said: “This is a very exciting and important investment for IMG ARENA. It will enable us to build a next-generation data collection system, which will generate new and exciting insights across a multitude of sports. This compelling data will underpin both our current and future suite of products for rightsholders and fans alike, combining real-time data, and analytics with innovative front-end solutions to enhance the fan experience.”

Mikael Rousson, co-founder and CEO, Signality, said: “Signality was born from a vision of enhancing sport at a fundamental level using computer vision technology. Joining the IMG ARENA business is a natural union born out of synergies in product, customer base and, most importantly, culture and vision. It will accelerate our joint desire of having a global impact on the future of sports and sports fans.”

IMG ARENA is a sports content and technology hub serving the sports, sports betting and sports media eco-systems. IMG ARENA delivers live streaming and data feeds for more than 45,000 sports events annually, as well as for on-demand virtual sports products and front-end solutions including the UFC Event Centre. IMG ARENA’s clients include the ATP, UFC, DP World Tour PGA Tour, MLS and the FA.