The following is a press release by the Columbia Sports Management program.
NEW YORK— Columbia University’s Sports Management graduate program has entered into an alliance with OptaPro, one of the leading data collectors and providers of soccer, cricket and rugby data around the world, to provide actual, on-field data for student use.
“Through this Alliance, OptaPro will provide data from game/match playing fields to use in our innovative Analytics of Global Sports course among other academic uses,” said Vince Gennaro, Director of the Columbia Sports Management graduate program. “Students will undertake projects to analyze player performance, evaluate roster strategies and place an economic value on players.” The alliance with OptaPro reflects the Columbia Sports Management Master of Science’s focus on the global sports business, as well as its unique sports analytics curriculum.
Angus McNab, OptaPro Vice President of Content Distribution, said: “OptaPro highly values the insight, expertise and technical knowledge that the academic community can offer the professional sporting world, which means this partnership with the Columbia Sports Management program is a the perfect match. Students in this course will have a unique opportunity to use Opta data to ensure their analytical work is applicable to the sporting world.”
OptaPro works with leading professional clubs and national federations, integrating analytical solutions to help fine-tune performance, scout opponents and recruit new talents. Powered by Opta’s in-depth global database, OptaPro has developed a suite of analytical products that integrate Opta data with the latest technologies. Over 200 teams have access to Opta’s performance data. OptaPro sits in the Perform Content division of Perform Group. Perform Group connects the world of sport by producing the quickest, most detailed and most engaging content. www.optasportspro.om
Columbia University’s master’s degree program in Sports Management, available part-time and full-time, trains professionals in all sectors of the sports industry by teaching
specific management skills in the areas of finance, analytics, digital media, sports personnel management, law, sports marketing, and facility or event management. This combination of broad-based and specific skill training is a hallmark of the program and is evident in both the content and sequencing of courses. www.ce.columbia.edu/sports.
Contact: George Calderaro, 212 854-2365, gc2212@columbia.edu