The German football league is investing into sports tech companies as part of a new strategy.
‘DFL for Equity’ will see the league build an investment portfolio focused on innovative and promising companies in the media, technology and sports industries.
It will acquire shares in companies through intangible assets and also through collaborations with further partners.
“DFL’s ability to systematically cover the media value chain is what sets it apart in the arena of international football,” said Christian Seifert, CEO of the DFL.
“In the interests of both the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs, we want to draw much greater benefit in the future from the positive growth of companies that are closely allied with DFL.”
Its first investment as part of the strategy will see it take a ten per cent stake in Israeli start-up Track160, which is developing an artificial-intelligence-based analytics system.
Track160 will gain access to the DFL’s match database and digital football archive and aims to grow internationally as a result of the deal.
“We are excited about the new opportunities our partnership with DFL will open up for us,” said Dr. Miky Tamir, co-founder and chairman of Track160.
“The sports tech industry is transitioning to a new era, one in which data and AI-based technologies will make fascinating new applications possible.
“We want to revolutionise the world of sports with disruptive new coaching, media, scouting and gaming applications.”