The United Soccer League (USL) announced a partnership Monday with WSC Sports, an Israeli tech company that has been producing automated sports highlights for the NBA since 2015.
The Division II soccer league, which includes several sister teams of Major League Soccer franchises, will use the artificial intelligence platform to automate and expedite its video creation for broadcast highlights and distribution. The video technology will also be used behind-the-scenes to assist scouts with finding new talent and coaches with post-game review film sessions.
WSC’s platform analyzes live sports broadcasts, identifies each event that occurs during a game, and edits together short-form video content. The technology is currently used by media rights owners such as Turner Sports, Perform Group, as well as professional sports leagues, including the NBA, Cricket Australia, World Surfing League and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
The company says its platform enables partners to instantly generate and distribute professional-grade clips at scale, which engages fans and maximizes video monetization opportunities.
“Our partnership with WSC is a groundbreaking digital initiative for us,” said Vincent Wiskowski, the USL’s director of digital projects and emerging technology, in a statement. “It allows the league and USL clubs to create an almost unlimited opportunity to engage their fans and grow their brands through video. We are leveraging artificial intelligence to convert our games into thousands of videos that clubs can use to drive fan engagement and generate sponsorship in real time across a vast network of social and digital accounts.”