Playermaker
{{Short description|Sports technology company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Playermaker
| logo = Playermakerlogop.png
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| logo_padding =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| trading_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| romanized_name =
| former_name = Motionize
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| ISIN =
| industry = Sports tech
| genre =
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| founded = 2017
| founders = Guy Aharon & Yuval Odem
| defunct =
| hq_location =
| hq_location_city = Tel Aviv
| hq_location_country = Israel
| num_locations =
| num_locations_year =
| area_served =
| key_people =
| products =
| brands =
| production =
| production_year =
| services =
| revenue =
| revenue_year =
| operating_income =
| income_year =
| net_income =
| net_income_year =
| aum =
| assets =
| assets_year =
| equity =
| equity_year =
| owner =
| members =
| members_year =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| module =
| ratio =
| rating =
| website = {{URL|https://www.playermaker.com/}}
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
Playermaker is a sports technology company.Nick Wright,{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12302978/sports-technology-company-backed-by-arsene-wenger-aiming-to-revolutionise-football-training|title=Sports technology company backed by Arsene Wenger aiming to revolutionise football training|publisher=skysports.com|date=17 March 2021 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}Ethan Freedman,{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/backed-by-fifa-playermaker-dives-into-sports-analytics-feet-first/|title=Backed by FIFA, Playermaker dives into sports analytics feet first|publisher=timesofisrael.com|date=4 September 2022 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
History
Playermaker was founded in 2017 in Israel by Guy Aharon and Yuval Odem, who formerly served in the Israeli Defense Forces.Candice Krieger,{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/meet-the-brains-behind-footwear-tech-thats-transforming-football/|title=Meet the brains behind footwear tech that's transforming football|publisher=jewishnews.co.uk|date=6 June 2021 |accessdate=30 October 2023}} The company was formerly known as Motionize and it began by developing a device for advanced tracking of human motion back in 2014.
= Funding =
By 2023, Playermaker raised total of $45M in funding, with powerhouse investors like ADvantage, Ryan Sports Venture and Ventura Capital Group, with additional investment by MIG Capital, and others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.finsmes.com/2022/06/playermaker-raised-40m-in-funding.html|title=Playermaker raises $40 million for wearable athletic performance tracker|publisher=finsmes.com|date=19 June 2022 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkzopp3t5|title=Playermaker Raised $40M in Funding|publisher=calcalistech.com|date=16 June 2022 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
Earlier in 2019, former Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger invested in Playermaker.Shoshanna Solomon,{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-arsenal-manager-wenger-invests-in-israeli-startup-playermaker/|title=Former Arsenal manager Wenger invests in Israeli startup PlayerMaker|publisher=timesofisrael.com|date=24 May 2019 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}Meir Orbach,{{Cite web|url=https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3762920,00.html|title=
Soccer Coach Arsène Wenger Backs Sports Tech Startup PlayerMaker|publisher=calcalistech.com|date=26 May 2019 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
= Partnerships =
In November 2022, Playermaker and Manchester City collaborated to launch CityPlay, a co-branded sports product that offers analysis for players, while also offering educational and training content from Manchester City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mancity.com/news/club/cityplay-launch|title= Manchester City And Playermaker Launch Cityplay Wearable Performance Tracker|publisher=mancity.com|date=3 November 2022 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
Playermaker has established partnerships with Elite Soccer Academy{{Cite web|url=https://www.elitesocceracademy.info/elite-soccer-academy-and-playermaker-partnership/|title= Officially signed a partnership with playermaker|publisher=elitesocceracademy.info|date=26 November 2019 |accessdate=30 October 2023}} and several sports clubs that use its technology. Notable clubs include: Fulham,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/may/24/Playermaker-Announced-As-Official-Academy-Partners/|title= Fulham partners with PlayerMaker|publisher=fulhamfc.com|date=24 May 2022|accessdate=30 October 2023}} Rangers{{Cite web|url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/rangers-announce-new-official-associate-partner-playermaker/3Po3uCkTxLPjEqGJ4Hq0oU|title= Rangers Announce New Official Associate Partner Playermaker|publisher=rangers.co.uk|date= |accessdate=30 October 2023}} and many others. The company has also established partnerships with the United States Soccer Federation{{cite web|url=https://usclubsoccer.org/playermaker-becomes-newest-players-first-partner/ |title=Playermaker becomes newest Players First partner|publisher=usclubsoccer.org|date=3 March 2021 |accessdate=30 October 2023}} and the Scottish Football Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-announces-new-partnership-with-innovative-technology-company-playermaker/|title=Scottish FA announces new partnership with innovative technology company Playermaker|publisher=scottishfa.co.uk|date= |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
In 2022, Liverpool winger, Harvey Elliott became a brand ambassador for the company.Dominic Massimino,{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/03/03/Technology/liverpools-harvey-elliott-signs-on-as-playermaker-brand-ambassador.aspx |title=Liverpool's Harvey Elliott Signs On as Playermaker Brand Ambassador|publisher=sportsbusinessjournal.com|date=3 March 2021 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
Products
Playermaker offers sports technology products that are designed to provide data to players, coaches, and teams.Robert Kidd,{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertkidd/2021/01/27/why-playermaker-is-taking-its-soccer-technology-to-amateur-players/?sh=6f82c97b583e|title=Why Playermaker Is Taking Its Soccer Technology To Amateur Players|work=forbes.com|date=27 January 2021 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
Playermaker's technology includes sensors that are attached to a player's shoes which collect data on various aspects of their performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.premierinjuries.com/article/playermaker-review-wearable-football-tracker|title=Playermaker Review: An Effective Wearable Football Tracker?|publisher=premierinjuries.com|date= 18 July 2022|accessdate=30 October 2023}} The data collected by Playermaker's technology can be used for performance analysis, injury prevention, and improving overall player development.Joe Lemire,{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2021/02/17/Technology/playermaker-soccer-technology-wearables-data|title=PlayerMaker CEO: 'We Have Turned the Shoe Into Technological Infrastructure' |publisher=sportsbusinessjournal.com|date=17 February 2021 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}
FIFA Certification
In September 2023, Playermaker was awarded the FIFA certification to be allowed in official match play as a wearable Tracking System.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12965384/ai-tracking-technology-for-football-boots-earn-fifa-and-ifab-approval-to-be-used-in-official-matches|title=AI tracking technology for football boots earns FIFA and IFAB approval to be used in official matches|publisher=skysports.com|date=20 September 2023 |accessdate=30 October 2023}} Earlier in 2021, Playermaker was placed on the FIFA Innovation Programme.Robin-Duke Madlala,{{Cite web|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/uncategorized/if-playermaker-was-available-i-wouldve-come-close-to-pele/|title='If Playermaker was available, I would've come close to Pelé'|publisher=idiskitimes.co.za|date=26 November 2022 |accessdate=30 October 2023}} Playermaker completed the challenge set by the FIFA Innovation Program and earned the Electronic Performance Tracking Systems (EPTS) FIFA quality certificate.Rob Schaefer,{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/09/20/fifa-playermaker.aspx|title=Playermaker awarded EPTS FIFA Quality Programme certification, can be used in official match play|publisher=sportsbusinessjournal.com|date=20 September 2023 |accessdate=30 October 2023}}