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Genius Sports hires former pro to oversee global basketball strategy

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Sports data and betting solutions specialist Genius Sports has hired former professional basketball player Romain Vez to manage and expand its partnerships with teams and leagues in the sport. 

As the supplier’s first head of basketball, Vez has been tasked with managing and expanding its existing partnerships. Genius Sports currently has deals in place with more than 250 leagues and federations around the world, including the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the top US league, the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Its basketball technology is deployed for more than 100,000 matches a year, from capturing play-by-play data to managing competitions and enhancing digital fan experiences.

Vez, meanwhile, is a former professional player who spent his career in the Swiss top division, before moving into commercial and operational roles with some of the largest global sporting organisations.

He has worked in communications for FIBA, as well as working for football’s international governing body Fifa as a venue marketing manager for the 2010 World Cup. This was on secondment from Uefa, European football’s governing body, where he held a number of marketing and hospitality management roles.

“Genius Sports has an unrivalled reputation for delivering major digital transformation projects for the largest organisations in world basketball, including FIBA and the NBA,” Vez said of his new role. “Being selected to lead their next stage of expansion and product innovation is a real honour and a challenge I’m thrilled to be undertaking.”

Genius Sports managing director Steven Burton added: “Our long-standing success in basketball has been pivotal in establishing Genius Sports’ reputation and global reach.

“Romain has a unique appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing modern basketball leagues and federations and we’re excited to welcome him to undertake this pivotal role in our business.”