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Northbrook-based STATS is probably one of the coolest companies that you have never heard of. But chances are if you have seen a sports game analysis online it was from STATS.
Founded in 1981, STATS is a global leader in sports information, technology and analysis powering many of the sports leagues fans watch every day. Recently named the most innovative sports company on Fast Company’s Most Innovative List for 2014, STATS powers data used all across the Internet on sites such as ESPN, Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
STATS collects and processes massive amounts of sports data that covers over 300 leagues across the world including: the NBA, FIFA, the NFL, and MLB. Once the data has been collected and analyzed, STATS distributes the information to the interested parties of more than 500 clients. Clients as diverse as the NBA, Google, Yahoo, Duke University and NBC then use the sports insights for broadcast support, coaching strategies, and media enhancements.
The best part about the data? It is collected in real-time. As a result, fans and clients enjoy more in-depth and interesting analyses of all of the 83,000 games and events that STATS covers annually.
With over 300 reporters and 350 employees on the team, STATS has the manpower to cover the key sports markets across the globe. This information is accessible on many platforms including television, laptop and mobile. STATS technology has been leveraged for Google’s OneBox and voice activation to gives sports fans the ability to quickly see the status of their favorite teams and games from anywhere around the world. 
Having the ability to quickly search the stats of a favorite team makes the game feel more real. STATS gives sports fans knowledge-power when watching the game with friends, and having the most knowledge about a team or league is something that all sports fans enjoy. STATS Director of Marketing Nick Stamm said the company focuses on three things “networks, connectivity, and conversations.” The stats for the game are the gel of most of fans sports conversations.
Outside of data collection and analysis, STATS has also created other technology products such as SportVU, a real-time player tracking software that gathers individual statistics including positioning and speed, and GameZone/Matchcast (Soccer), a responsive web platform designed to be a second-screen broadcast companion. The SportVU product brings fans the coordinates of players and ball positioning to show key insights and activity on the field. SportVU is utilized by the NBA, FIFA, and a variety of European soccer teams. GameZone and Matchcast provide fans with detailed statistical content that is complementary to the game for a better overall viewing experience. These are just a few of the technologies that have led STATS to acheive a global prescence.
Example of SportVU for NBA
This is only the tip of the iceberg of the technology at STATS as the team continues to research and develop new applications for additional sports. STATS has been around for 30 years and continues to innovate and be the leader in sports information. With marquee events such as March Madness, Major League Baseball and the World Cup coming up on the horizon many sports fans will see game statistics from one of the coolest companies we haven’t heard of: STATS.
