ESPN and Massachusetts-based TruMedia Networks have struck a broad partnership to create a new football analytics platform called Crossing Pattern that will be sold to pro teams. The Jaguars have signed on as the initial client of the new product, which blends ESPN statistical data with TruMedia's analytics software to aid in game preparation and personnel evaluation, including the NFL Draft. The effort also represents an expansion for TruMedia into football after initially focusing on baseball analytics. "We've been working for some time on our football data abilities with thinkings like the Total QBR rankings, and this gives us a very meaningful push into the enterprise side of the business," said ESPN VP/Stats & Information Ed Macedo. Financial terms were not disclosed. Crossing Pattern will compete in a quickly accelerating analytics space against other entrants such as Stats LLC. "This is clearly a very competitive space, but teams want to see more third-party solutions," said TruMedia Networks President & CEO Rafe Anderson. "Teams are coming to us asking for this kind of product, because they know competition elevates the entire industry."
