NCAA Extends Exclusive Data Partnership with Genius Sports Through 2032, Enhancing Integrity and Fan Engagement
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Genius Sports Limited (GENI) have significantly extended their partnership through 2032, marking a continuation of their collaboration aimed at fostering innovation, transparency, and integrity in college athletics. Under the new agreement, Genius Sports has secured the exclusive right to distribute official NCAA data to licensed sportsbooks for all post-season tournaments, including the highly anticipated March Madness. This ensures fast, accurate, and secure data flow to the regulated sports betting market. A key aspect of this partnership is the Authorized Gaming Licensee (AGL) program, which grants sportsbooks exclusive access to official NCAA data feeds, along with the use of NCAA marks and logos. Genius Sports will also work closely with these licensees to implement robust integrity protections and responsible betting practices. This includes limiting risky bet types, ensuring compliance with regulations, and safeguarding the well-being of student-athletes. One of the primary tools supporting this expanded partnership is NCAA LiveStats, the official platform for live game statistics. Currently used by thousands of NCAA schools and supporting over 70,000 games annually across various college sports, LiveStats provides essential data collection and distribution services. The NCAA will continue to offer this platform free of charge to its member institutions, enhancing accessibility and maintaining the quality of data for schools, conferences, and coaches. To further elevate the college sports experience, the partnership introduces GeniusIQ, an advanced AI and machine learning platform. GeniusIQ offers elite-level performance analysis for schools and coaches, along with interactive, data-rich engagement tools for fans. This platform aims to enhance the way college sports are played, analyzed, and enjoyed, providing real-time insights that can drive improvement and deepen fan involvement. Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, emphasized the transformative impact of their technology on the college sports data ecosystem since 2018. "This extension is a powerful endorsement of our vision—delivering cutting-edge data solutions to support NCAA schools while connecting our sportsbook partners with the highest quality NCAA official content," he stated. "Most importantly, it’s a partnership grounded in innovation, integrity, and a shared commitment to the future of collegiate athletics." Genius Sports is a leading provider of official data, technology, and broadcast services for the global sports ecosystem. The company’s technology is utilized in over 150 countries, delivering immersive products that enrich fan experiences across various industries. Currently, they partner with over 400 sports organizations, including major leagues and federations like the NFL, EPL, FIBA, NCAA, NASCAR, AFA, and Liga MX. Their innovative use of big data, computer vision, machine learning, and augmented reality positions them as a trusted and influential player in the sports data landscape. The extended partnership between the NCAA and Genius Sports underscores a growing trend toward leveraging advanced technology to enhance athletic data management and fan engagement. Industry experts view this collaboration as a significant step in aligning regulatory frameworks with technological advancements, ensuring that the integrity of college sports remains intact while expanding the reach and depth of fan interaction. The integration of AI and machine learning in sports data is expected to set new standards for performance analysis and betting fairness, making this partnership a benchmark for future collaborations in the sector. Genius Sports' commitment to innovation and integrity has solidified its reputation in the sports technology field, and this latest agreement with the NCAA highlights their ongoing dedication to supporting grassroots sports while also catering to the needs of the regulated betting market. As the sports industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this one are crucial for harnessing the full potential of modern technology to benefit both athletes and fans.
