• Loading stock data...
Thursday, February 13, 2025

MLS Data Deal Adds Stadium Cameras for Player Tracking and Prop Bets

  • Ten cameras around MLS stadiums will transmit player, referee, and ball movement data.
  • Second Spectrum partnership will start at national TV level before expanding to local and international markets.
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

MLS has entered a multi-year agreement with Second Spectrum to provide the league with on-field tracking data that will improve game broadcasts and fan engagement through sports betting. 

Beginning this season, 10 cameras mounted around each MLS stadium will transmit player, referee, and ball movement data that will be distributed to teams and TV media partners. 

Highlight packages overlaid with the next-generation data will also be published by MLS on its website. 

On the sports betting front, the new partnership opens up a world of possibility for MLS fans to bet on more granular aspects of its on-the-field product beyond projected goal scorers and match results, Chris Schlosser, SVP of Media, said. 

“One of the things we think you can build on top of the Spectrum data is a whole new suite of proposition bets that can be placed in real time,” he said. “You know, over/under on number of key passes, player accuracy of a shot, and speed of a shot. Things like that, we’ve never been able to use before.”

MGM Resorts, in particular, is excited about how to push gambling on MLS games forward, he added. MLS and MGM entered an exclusive sports betting agreement in March 2019. Schlosser said that It is still too early to report whether new betting options will be exclusively available on MGM’s platforms, but a new live betting product is expected to roll out this year.

“Real-time bets during MLS game broadcasts are the holy grail in this scenario,” Derek Aframe, Octagon’s EVP of marketing and consulting, said. “The number of crosses a team puts in or number of passes is just the tip of the iceberg in ways to engage fans. MLS has always been progressive about threading the needle to address its consumer audience.” 

READ MORE: As MLS Expansion Continues, New Teams Still Setting Roots

MLS’s Second Spectrum partnership will benefit national television linear partners at launch, with expansion of new data capturing tools into local U.S., international, and OTT streaming coming in the future. Highlights featuring Second Spectrum data on television will be aired on delayed basis until the spring – when broadcasters can offer it to fans in real-time, MLS said.

ESPN, FOX, and Univision are the league’s national media partners in the U.S. through the end of the 2022 season. MLS recently announced the addition of a slew of international rights partners, increasing the broadcasting of its games to a record 190 countries. The league also has OTT deals with ESPN+ and DAZN in North America.

“At the start, we’re working with our national broadcast partners. We’re giving them the tools they need. And then I think you’ll see the next tranche be the local broadcasters and our international broadcasters. And then we’ll go out from there for others to play with it.”

READ MORE: MLS, MLSPA Sign New Five-Year CBA Agreement

Second Spectrum, also the official data tracking partner of the NBA and English Premier League, says that fans long term will be able to choose how much data they want to appear on their television or online streams.

“Every fan will be able to construct the viewing experience that they want,” CEO Rajiv Maheswaran, said. “If you want very little, that should be an option. If you want it lit up, that should be an option.”

MLS is banking on its young and tech savvy fan base to help the league grow through digital channels in the same mold that radio helped baseball and television fueled the NFL and NBA’s popularity in the U.S. Each of these leagues have also rolled out next-gen statistics to provide fans more on-the-field data.

“Digital is the reason why soccer is exploding in this country,” Schlosser said. “The future is all about putting that control in the hands of the consumer, actually creating interactive experiences. We’re just starting to scratch the surface there. But if any fan base is going to be excited and interested in that and want to lean in, it’s ours.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.

Luka Dončić Lakers Debut Peaked at 2.55M Viewers

Dončić played just 24 minutes in the Lakers’ blowout win.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) and linebacker Josh Sweat (19) tackle Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Super Bowl Set Viewership Record at 127.7M, Hints at Fox Streaming Future

The historic figure improves by 3% from last year’s game.

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Crash As Hotel Rooms See Historic Rate Hike

Prices sink by about 30%, due in part to a lodging crunch.
September 8, 2024

US Open Breaks Attendance Record

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner beat No. 12 Taylor Fritz in straight sets Sunday.
October 8, 2024

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

Schedule changes finished second with 17% of the vote.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Sponsored

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways: Where Golf Meets Gourmet at the TOUR Championship

This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors.
July 18, 2024

Loyal WNBA Fans Hit With Enormous Season-Ticket Price Hikes

Some season-ticket holders are seeing their prices doubled.
July 16, 2024

CONMEBOL, Hard Rock Stadium Continue Trading Blame Over Copa Disaster

Each blames the other for the security madness at Sunday’s final.
July 15, 2024

Colombian Soccer Federation President Arrested in Copa Madness

The 71-year-old on the FIFA Council was arrested alongside his son.