Genius Sports Teams Up with Snap to Release Verizon-Exclusive Lens

Genius Sports has unveiled a new partnership with Snap, the company behind Snapchat. As agreed, the former company will provide immersive augmented reality (AR) fan experiences via Snapchat Lenses.

Genius Sports will leverage its status as the exclusive media and betting distributor of the NFL Official League Data and Next Gen Stats to engage sports fans on Snapchat, providing sports aficionados with “phone-based, highly sharable content.”

The sponsored Lens will provide Verizon, the NFL’s official 5G network, with a new AR-based way to connect fans. Verizon will notably be the first sponsor to run a Lens that uses Genius Sports’ cutting-edge tech.

Additionally, the agreement will see Genius Sports and Verizon’s 5G network supply live data visualizations and an AR commerce platform to Verizon’s NFL Lens.

The new Lens will be first presented on September 17 during the game between the LA Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Genius Sports promised fans real-time game stats, merch try-on and a 3D interactive map of the stadium, exclusively available to Verizon 5G users.

Fans will also be able to benefit from a 40% off offer for NFL+ Premium annual subscriptions.

The New Lens Will Revolutionize How the NFL Is Experienced

Verizon Consumer Group’s director of platforms and partnerships, Kris Soumas, commented on the new Snapchat Lens, saying that it reflects the amazing experiences the combination of augmented reality and 5G can offer. Soumas noted that fans will be able to enjoy unprecedented experiences.

With this cutting-edge technology, we’re able to offer fans experiences they’ve never had before, and we’re grateful for the partnerships that helped bring it all to life.

Kris Soumas, director of platforms and partnerships, Verizon Consumer Group

Snap’s head of sports partnerships, Anmol Malhotra, also commented on the development. He called Snapchat “the best place to showcase your fandom and keep up with all the action on game day.” Since millions of people on the platform use AR, Malhotra is certain that the new Lens will engage NFL fans.

With over 250 million Snapchatters engaging with AR on our platform every day, we’re thrilled for Genius Sports to bring real-time data to our Lenses to make them even more immersive.

Anmol Malhotra, head of sports partnerships, Snap

Finally, Matt Ryter, Genius Sports’ president of sales, media and fan engagement, praised the revolutionary Snapchat Lens technology that continues to redefine how sports are experienced.

We’re delighted to partner with Snap, helping to enhance Lenses with NFL Official League Data.

Matt Ryter, president of sales, media and fan engagement, Genius Sports

In other news, Genius Sports just extended its deal with Brazil’s national basketball league.