Perform Group Confirm Interest In Proposed Opta Deal

Sports data and analysis providers Perform Group have confirmed interest in a possible acquisition of sports data firm Opta and its services. The planned acquisition is currently subject to successful fundraising of a target £40m bid by Perform Group. Perform Group have announced a placing of 23.9 million shares in the attempt to raise £120m pounds for future acquisitions opportunities.

In the past 18 months Perform Group have seen number of high sports data and performance acquisition. Last year Perform Group acquired RunningBall in a landmark £120m deal for sports data services, while it has also made regional acquisitions in the form of Mackolik, Sportal and Voetbalzone. Perform Groups current ‘Watch & Bet’ in-play sports services are used by igaming operators Unibet and Bet365.

Perform Group CEO Oliver Slipper commented on the possible acquisition – “We are excited by the acquisition of Opta, which will significantly enhance our existing sports data offering particularly to the media industry and to sports fans,”

Opta currently provide sports data services for igaming operators Ladbrokes and William Hill. The potential acquisition of its operations by Perform Group, would make Perform Group the worlds largest sports data service. A statement from PERFORM said the proposed deal would “complement PERFORM’s existing content distribution business” and “create a leading player in the provision of sports data to the media and bookmaker sectors”.