Today, STATS, the worldwide leader in sports data and intelligence, announced the extension of an exclusive performance partnership with the Qatar Stars League (QSL), providing a robust range of products for all 12 pro clubs and the league’s football development department, as well as marketing and communications.

The partnership between the QSL and STATS will enter the ninth straight season as the QSL grows in stature ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The league and teams will gain access to STATS’ online platforms, including STATS Trend and STATS Playing Styles, while also having access to use STATS Edge™ on a league-wide basis. Edge, a revolutionary match preparation tool, integrates video and data through artificial intelligence and machine learning. STATS solutions will be powered by STATS SportVU® Pro panoramic player-tracking data, which includes 4K panoramic pitch views, and STATS Tier6+ Technical Data for every match in the competition.

“We are excited to bring more sports intelligence to the Qatar Stars League, an important partner for us over the past nine seasons,” said Carl Mergele, Chief Executive Officer at STATS. “With STATS Edge, each QSL team is able to access a state-of-the-art computer vision and artificial intelligence portal which provides more layers of context and efficiency for match preparation. The portal is easy to use and provides player and team data, as well as formations in video format, allowing teams to spend less time reviewing video and more time preparing for their next opponent.”

In addition to providing data analysis tools for teams, the new agreement with the QSL will use STATS’ unique performance ratings to accurately and objectively assess the performance of players throughout the league. This performance index will give player ratings to accurately decide on “Player of the Month/Season” and “Coach of the Month/Season” awards.

“Since becoming partners with STATS in 2010/11, we have seen technical- and physical-level improvement league-wide, which has also been due to top-level recruiting from other football powerhouses,” said Mr. Hani Ballan, CEO of the Qatar Stars League. “We are always looking to use the best new and innovative football performance products available, and look forward to being one of the first leagues to use STATS Edge.”

The QSL currently has global stars, such as Xavi Hernandez (ex-Barcelona and Spain), Wesley Sneijder (ex-Inter Milan and Netherlands), Samuel Eto’o (ex-Barcelona and Cameroon), and Nigel De Jong (ex-AC Milan and Netherlands) plying their trade in the competition. Former international legends such as Michael Laudrup at Al Duhail, Gianfranco Zola at Al Arabi, Eric Gerets at Al Duhail, and Zico at Al Gharafa have all been former head coaches in Qatar and have benefited from working with STATS solutions. For more information on STATS Edge visit: https://www.stats.com/edge/

About STATS

STATS is the global leader in sports intelligence, operating at the intersection of sports and technology. The world’s most innovative brands, technology companies, leagues and dozens of world championship teams trust STATS to find their winning edge. STATS combines the industry’s fastest and most accurate data platform with video analysis, sports content and research, player tracking, and the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to provide unparalleled media and team performance solutions. The pioneer of live sports data, STATS continues to speed innovation in the industry with STATS Edge™, the first-ever team performance solution powered by AI. For more information, go to www.stats.com and follow STATS on Twitter @STATSInsightsUK.

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