NBA

Sale of sports data service could fetch $200M

The dominant sports industry statistics provider is looking to make its own big score.

Stats, known for providing almost instantaneous game and player information to fantasy football applications and TV sports commentators, is on the sale block, The Post has learned.

Stats provides up-to-date data to sports leagues such as the NBA and tracks nearly 230 sports leagues globally.

Sources peg the value of the Northbrook, Ill.-based firm at around $200 million.

The rising value of sports-media rights is helping boost related businesses. Bidding on IMG Worldwide, the sports and entertainment giant, is in the region of $2.5 billion, while Learfield, a college sports communications company, recently sold a majority stake to Providence Equity Partners for around $1 billion.

Potential suitors for Stats include private-equity firms, sources say.

The business may also fit into the digital sports portfolio of UK-based Perform, a digital sports business backed by Access Industries’ billionaire Len Blavatnik.

The sale is being conducted by boutique investment bank Raine Group, according to sources familiar with the talks.

The stats service, which also has offices in China and India, is currently co-owned by 21st Century Fox and Associated Press news service.

Fox Sports acquired the firm in 2000, and later merged it with AP MegaSports.

The company, whose name stands for Sports Team Analysis and Tracking Systems, was founded in 1981 by John Dewan.

It counts around 600 clients around the world and funnels data to betting operations, leagues and broadcasters among others.

Reps declined comment.