Spotlight Sports Group has been nominated for the Sports Technology Awards 2021. The award focuses on Spotlight Sports Group’s in-play ‘Superfeed’ API which provides live sports betting content based on data manipulation and on-field events.

The Sports Technology Awards feature 117 of the world’s biggest brands, including 30 sports, 19 sports bodies, ten broadcasters and nine tournaments, along with a myriad of technology brands of all sizes. The combined, innovative efforts of all brands involved enabled the sports sector to respond to the most challenging year in recent times.

The judges, which featured tech visionaries, sports business leaders and current and former international athletes including Alistair Brownlee, Darren Gough and Eoin Morgan, faced a more challenging time than usual with more than half the 19 categories resulting in a tie, often involving up to four entries vying for top place.

It is the first year Spotlight Sports Group has been nominated as the group continues to focus on its data-led sports betting approach to creating products. The revolutionary betting technology in the in-play Superfeed provides real-time in-play insights handwritten by expert sports journalists and delivered across the key betting markets for 90 football competitions in 70 languages. Spotlight Sports Group is one of the few betting technology businesses to be nominated.

Discussing the shortlist, Spotlight Sports Group managing director, Harry von Behr, said:

‘‘We’re delighted to be shortlisted for the Sports Technology Awards this year. Over the past number of years we have developed a portfolio of market-leading betting technology products and our in-play Superfeed is the pinnacle of our product suite.

‘‘Using cutting-edge technology and our editorial expertise to deliver the best sports betting content is what makes our business different and we’re delighted to be recognised for that.

‘‘Everyone who was nominated this year has done exceptionally well as we know the level of competition is of the highest standard. It all makes for an exciting night at the awards ceremony in May.’’

Rebecca Hopkins, CEO of The STA Group, which owns the awards, explained:

‘‘Most years we see one or two categories needing casting votes to determine the overall winner – this year we had ten categories which were tied. This is unprecedented but a testament to the high standard of entries and the calibre of brands participating. While the initial round of judging has been sufficient to determine the shortlist, we still don’t have all the winners agreed – it’s an amazing problem to have but, as one of our judges said in their feedback, ‘Covid might have forced the industry’s hand to innovate but  . . . the industry’s response has been magnificent’. The place the sector is in right now might be challenging but it is hugely exciting too.’’

The Group will be holding a virtual awards ceremony on May 6 but plans are in place to hold a celebration dinner at The Londoner in the autumn, once it is fully safe to network.