City Football Group, Manchester City’s parent company, has signed a major international deal with technology giant SAP.
The monetary value of the deal, described as a “global, multi-year marketing and technology partnership” was not disclosed, but CFG said it will “transform the way the ownership group and its football teams operate and perform, from the boardroom to the pitch”.
SAP will become the official cloud software provider and technology advisor of City Football Group and its four clubs around the world, including Manchester City FC (men and women), New York City FC, Melbourne City FC and Yokohama F Marinos.
Khaldoon al Mubarak, chairman of City Football Group, said: “This partnership is as important as it is broad, stretching across all entities within the City Football Group.
“In SAP we have found a technology partner that is committed globally to our businesses and one that shares our constant drive for innovation. Our common ambition is to create groundbreaking football specific technology solutions and products and I have every confidence that we will be successful.”
Bill McDermott, CEO and member of the executive board of SAP said: “City Football Group is one of the most innovative and technology-driven football organizations in the world.
“We are so proud that our cloud solutions will be enabling City Football Group’s vision for supporting the players and coaches while completely reinventing the fan experience.”
City Football Group and its clubs will implement a wide variety of cloud-based solutions powered by SAP’s HANA platform, which are designed to simplify the international operations, scale the business, increase productivity and also enhance the fan experience.
Another key element of the partnership will be the collaboration to co-innovate and develop new applications to analyse and improve performance on the field for players and coaches.