NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bloomberg Sports (BSports), the world’s leaders in sports analytic technology, today unveiled its first-ever “BSports Power Football 50”, aimed at providing the most advanced data-driven ranking of individual performances throughout Europe’s top leagues. The rankings provide an objective analysis that relates players to their respective positions and takes into account the context of player performance relative to others at this position. The full BSports methodology and list of players can be found at http://www.bsports.com/footballtop50
“We continue to look at new ways to use analytics that will be interesting to fans, and are pleased today to unveil what we believe will be a game-changer in the way professional football is looked at in the future with the ‘Power Football 50,’” said Bill Squadron, President of Bloomberg Sports. “Analytics is becoming more and more prevalent in both the minds of the fans and in the decision making power of the clubs, and we are confident this index will help both stir healthy debate and be a great measuring stick for player evaluation going forward.”
The comprehensive list covers the entire 2012-2013 season, highlighting the performances of some of the world’s most popular players, along with some of the sport’s rising stars. Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona topped the list with a score of 91.25, edging out Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid (91.16). Franck Ribery of Champions League winner Bayern Munich came in third with a rating of (89.27). Ribery was one of five Bayern players to make the top 50 list, along with Bastian Schweinsteiger (14th), Thomas Muller (19th), Toni Kroos (22nd), Dante (31st) and Philipp Lahm (38th). Juventus had four players on the list (led by Andrea Pirlo, 5th at 88.62), while Champions League runner-up Borussia Dortmund (led by Marco Reus, 4rd overall at 89.10), Barcelona (led by Messi), Manchester United (led by Robin van Persie 6th at 88.14) and Napoli (led by Marek Hamsik 8th at 87.01) also placed three players on the list.
The BSports ranking provides the most scientifically-based analysis that evaluates players on skills relevant to their respective positions. For example, defenders on this list are graded heavily but not exclusively, by their performance with regard to tackling, intercepting, and clearing the ball. At the same time, the attackers on the list are judged on their performance when shooting, passing , and scoring among other attributes. The scores also take into account the performance of individuals relative to others at their position.
About Bloomberg Sports
Launched in 2010, Bloomberg Sports takes the technology developed by Bloomberg, the leading global provider in data and analytics, and applies it to the vast data analysis opportunities in sports. Bloomberg Sports’ professional products for teams, broadcasters and athletes include a comprehensive baseball scouting, data and video system now used by almost all Major League Baseball clubs. The company also has introduced a consumer soccer product for European football, “Match Analysis,” a powerful predictive and analytic tool forecasting game results, and recently launched “Stats Insights,” a comprehensive blog that contains original content and analysis for the five major European football leagues as well as the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA. Bloomberg Sports has been named by Mashable as one of its “Five Most Innovative Sports Brands for 2012,” by The Sports Business Journal as a Finalist for “Best In Sports Technology” in 2012 and by Fast Company Magazine as one of the “Most Innovative Companies in Sports” in 2011. For more information go to bsports.com.