The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) has announced a major data and AV distribution rights partnership with Sportradar.
As per the deal, Sportradar has acquired worldwide data and audio-visual distribution rights for the AIHL, excluding Australia and New Zealand, through to the end of 2024.
Sportradar, the sports technology company, will deliver a range of technological solutions to the AIHL, including an automated feature that captures live games and enhances the quality of video production, called Connected Stadium.
The AIHL believes the integration of Sportradar’s technology will help create a more engaging fan experience at Australian ice hockey arenas. The Connected Stadium feature, in particular, will be installed in at least six league venues by 2024, including the O’Brien Icehouse in Melbourne.
The AIHL will also be given access to the Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) by Sportradar, a global bet monitoring and match-fixing detection service.
This latest deal increases Sportradar’s ice hockey partnerships to 10 different leagues around the world, including North America’s National Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League, as well as the Champions Hockey League in Europe.
The Director of Sports Media & Sports Partnership at Sportradar, David Edwards, said: “The suite of technology solutions we provide is vital for the AIHL to engage a wider audience and grow the profile and participation in ice hockey, both in Australia and other key regions.
“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase how our expertise and technological capabilities are used to support sports federations and leagues in this region.”
Chairman of the AIHL, Peter Hartshorne, added: “As we ramp up our efforts to grow the AIHL, with the addition of two more teams over the next three years, we must have the right technological solutions to realise the league’s commercial potential.
“With Sportradar’s track record with some of the world’s largest sports leagues, we are confident this partnership will yield positive results shortly.”
