Sony Acquires Hawk-Eye, a Global Leader in Live Sports Tracking Solutions

Naomi Climer, Vice-President Sony Europe, commented, "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. Players, officials and sports fans have all appreciated the accurate and entertaining way in which Hawk-Eye has integrated its technology into these key sports. Hawk-Eye presents Sony with the opportunity to acquire a small, innovative company with unique knowledge and excellent growth and synergies potential. It is an ideal complementary offering to Sony Professional's existing portfolio of solutions for stadiums, venues and broadcasters, as well as bringing in specific expertise around managed services and sports software solutions engineering. We see strong opportunities on the technological, business and marketing levels to further Sony's leadership and engagement in the sports and broadcasting industry."

Paul Hawkins, Founder of Hawk-Eye in 1999, said, "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."

Sony's acquisition of Hawk-Eye Holding is effective as of 7th March 2011 and will include all Intellectual Properties Rights, Hawk-Eye's current full time staff as well as its technology, software solutions and engineering capabilities. Hawk-Eye will become an integral part of Sony Professional, a division of Sony Europe Ltd.