China’s Le Sports announced on Monday (January 25) that it has become the major shareholder of Sodasoccer, a Beijing soccer-oriented data company, after buying a 56% stake in the company for RMB39.2 million.

Despite the Le Sports’ acquisition, Sodasoccer will still be operated independently. This is now the third investment that Le Sports has made in sports companies following the deals with Go Ski and Octopus TV.

The alliance will enable Sodasoccer to access the data from over 12,000 games, covering several sports including soccer, basketball, tennis and golf, as well as some others.

Despite losing out on the tender for data partnership with China’s second tier soccer league, China League One, Sodasoccer is now more confident with the financial support of Le Sports behind them. It will be likely to bid for the data service for the Chinese Super League this year when the CSL’s current deal with French company Amisco expires.

Sodasoocer, founded in 2004, is the first professional soccer-oriented data company in China. The company has already forged a range of partnerships with the likes of CCTV 5, Guangzhou Evergrande FC and Beijing Guoan FC.

Source: Huxiu

Proofread by John Devlin.