Stats Buys Bloomberg's Sports Analysis Division

Stats, the US-based sports data firm, has acquired rival Bloomberg Sports (BSports) for an undisclosed sum, a deal that marks the end of financial data giant Bloomberg's four-year foray into sports data analysis.

While the companies refused to disclose the terms of the deal, an unnamed source told Reuters that the purchase price hovered between $15m (£9.2m, €11.6m) and $20m.

The deal will also see Stats acquire IMG Worldwide's stake in Bloomberg Sports; IMG purchased about a third of the venture two years ago for an estimated $6m to $8m.

Stats said in a statement: "BSports complements STATS' Sports Solutions Group. With almost all Major League Baseball teams using the BSports Pro2 integrated data system, the acquisition significantly strengthens STATS' position in baseball.

"BSports uses advanced analytics and science-based predictive models that provide industry-leading projections across most major sports. These models are a perfect addition to STATS as it solidifies its premiere position in delivering core sports data."

Bloomberg Sports President Bill Squadron told Reuters: We've built a really strong team of mathematicians. That's going to be a really big growth area, to drive it together and get there a lot quicker..."

The BSports transaction is Stats' first since being acquired by San Francisco-based private equity firm Vista Equity Partners in May 2014.

Stats, founded in 1981, provides dynamic in-game broadcast presentations, virtual images, multimedia enhancements and game analysis to media firms.