ESPN Plugs Content Into StubHub Ticketing Apps

ESPN has cut a content-distribution deal with event-ticketing site StubHub, part of a bigger initiative by the eBay-owned subsidiary to turn itself into a bigger destination for sports fans.

The sports-programming giant will feed scores, team stats and articles to StubHub’s apps. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The ESPN content is available in StubHub’s updated Apple iOS and Google Android mobile and tablet apps, which were released Thursday.

“StubHub and ESPN both serve the needs of sports fans wherever they are,” said John Kosner, ESPN executive VP of digital and print media. “Our common commitment to fulfill the passion of fans through multiple platforms is what has made ESPN and StubHub work so well together.”

The new app features will be available in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. The updated StubHub apps include personalization features that recommend events based on users’ favorite bands or teams as well as their locations. In the iOS app, the personalization features also are integrated with Apple Watch to deliver notifications.

StubHub also announced partnerships with reviews site Yelp to integrate restaurant reviews in the apps and with Foursquare to let users read user-generated content and reviews for venues.

“Through our new content partnerships and personalization features, fans will not only be in the know when their favorite teams, bands or shows are in town, they’ll also be able to discover new recommendations based on their preferences,” StubHub head of mobile Parag Vaish said.

StubHub, launched in 2000, was acquired by eBay in 2007 for $310 million. StubHub has event-ticketing pacts with more than 60 pro-sports teams, spanning leagues including the MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and NCAA, plus ESPN, NBC Digital, AEG and Paciolan.

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