The firm already provides ball-tracking technology for tennis and cricket, and although the company did not participate in FIFA’s latest tests for goal-line technology in February, the governing body’s decision to extend experiments for another year could provide an opportunity in football. Financial details of the buy-out have not been disclosed.
“Hawk-Eye is recognised globally for its innovative solutions for resolving close calls in critical sporting situations, particularly in cricket and tennis where they have developed a worldwide reputation,” said Sony Europe vice-president Naomi Climer.
“Hawk-Eye presents Sony with the opportunity to acquire a small, innovative company with unique knowledge and excellent growth and synergies potential,” Climer added. “It is an ideal complementary offering to Sony Professional's existing portfolio of solutions for stadia, venues and broadcasters, as well as bringing in specific expertise around managed services and sports software solutions engineering.”
The takeover includes all intellectual property rights, Hawk-Eye's current full-time staff as well as the company’s technology, software solutions and engineering capabilities.
Paul Hawkins, who founded Hawk-Eye in 1999, added: “Over the last decade Hawk-Eye has become the reference standard technology for ball tracking and graphics in tennis, cricket and snooker. Our skills and established knowledge coupled with Sony's breadth of capabilities and technologies will create immense opportunities for the sports industry.”