Democratizing Sports Data: An Interview with Steven Kenway of Rolling Insights

Steven Kenway - Rolling Insights CEO

In the dynamic world of sports, data is king. From fantasy leagues to sports betting, access to accurate and timely information can make all the difference. However, as Steven Kenway, co-founder of Rolling Insights, explains, this access has historically been challenging for many. Rolling Insights is on a mission to change that, aiming to democratize sports data for everyone.

 

The Genesis of Rolling Insights

Steven Kenway, with a background in computer science and a history of successful ventures in tech and consulting, teamed up with sports journalist Josh Hansen. Their combined expertise and shared passion for sports led to a crucial observation: while technologists could easily leverage data for fantasy sports, non-technologists faced significant hurdles. This disparity sparked the idea for Rolling Insights – a tool to level the playing field by making sports data accessible to all.

 

Products and Value Proposition

Rolling Insights offers a comprehensive suite of products and services designed to cater to various needs within the sports data ecosystem:

  • DataFeeds: A robust B2B product providing essential data to businesses such as fantasy sports platforms, content providers, sports betting exchanges, and AI modelers.

  • Sportwise: A B2C tool that delivers the same powerful data to everyday sports fans and enthusiasts in a user-friendly, "no-code" format.

  • Breakaway Accelerator: A vital program supporting early-stage startups in the sports data market. It offers discounted data, collaborative community, and expert guidance to foster innovation.

  • Professional Services: Leveraging their consulting arm, Rolling Wave, they assist companies with software development and data integration, ensuring seamless implementation of sports data solutions.

 

Official vs. Unofficial Data: A Strategic Choice

Rolling Insights operates primarily as an unofficial, medium-latency data provider. This means they meticulously collect and package information from public sources, offering a cost-effective alternative to official data providers. While official data is crucial for its branding, low latency, and compliance with jurisdictional requirements for sports betting, unofficial data serves as a highly viable option for a wide array of users, including large companies in their product development phases. Steven notes that statistics themselves are not subject to copyright, enabling this effective approach.

 

Diverse Use Cases and Technical Hurdles

The data provided by Rolling Insights finds its primary application among startups, new game developers, fantasy platforms, and betting exchanges. It also empowers small teams building AI models and Gen AI products, as well as content creators and media companies who require live activity for their digital platforms.

However, collecting real-time data, especially for fast-paced sports like darts, presents significant technical challenges. The pursuit of 99% accuracy and speed is a demanding endeavor. As Steven highlights, it's often more cost-effective for startups to utilize Rolling Insights' services rather than attempting to scrape data themselves.

 

Bridging B2B and B2C

While straddling both B2B and B2C markets can be challenging, Steven sees it as a strategic opportunity. The data feeds product has experienced faster growth than Sportwise, yet the commitment to supporting Sportwise remains strong, reinforcing their mission to democratize sports data for everyone.

 

The Success of Breakaway Accelerator

The Breakaway Accelerator has been a resounding success, with approximately 30 companies having participated and 18 currently active. This program provides deeply discounted data, a supportive community, and expert guidance, proving instrumental in the success of startups like CrowdCover and playerprops.ai.

 

The Future of Sports Data

Looking ahead, Steven Kenway envisions a future where thousands of small businesses leverage Rolling Insights' services, empowered by advancements in AI technology. He also hopes to see Rolling Insights evolve into an official data provider, competing for major league contracts and extending its support to long-tail sports, truly making sports data accessible on a global scale.

The insights from this interview with Steven Kenway underscore Rolling Insights' pivotal role in the evolving sports data landscape, driving innovation and accessibility for all.