Field Vision is a Portland-based startup that aims to provide football fans with predictive analytics that can help them make more informed bets on games. The app was officially launched just in time for the start of the NFL season, offering accurate game and player-specific predictions and analysis. The company is led by CEO and co-founder Scott Bouska, a former Nike executive and NFL agent, who joined forces with co-founder and chief data scientist Cameron Taylor, a Stanford PhD with experience at companies such as Instacart and Netflix.
The Field Vision app uses a proprietary model to provide weekly matchup analysis for every NFL contest. By utilizing historical data, the app is able to predict future outcomes based on various factors such as scheme, tendencies, game plans, and personnel. In addition to game predictions, the app also offers player and team rankings, expert analysis through a blog and newsletter, and provides betting recommendations. This is particularly important in an industry where fans wagered nearly $120 billion in 2023, with winning percentages on the decline.
Field Vision’s approach to football analytics is unique in that it focuses on football-specific variables that can be modeled and predicted using AI technology. The app leverages data from the last five years of NFL games, analyzing millions of on-field variables such as defensive formations and offensive reactions to those formations. By crunching these scenarios, the AI can project performance in a way that is particularly valuable for betting purposes. According to Bouska, the goal is to provide consumers with more information on betting, as the industry continues to grow and evolve.
The startup has ambitions beyond just providing a consumer-facing app. Field Vision is looking to partner with a fantasy football provider this season, with potential plans to add fantasy offerings in the future. Additionally, the company may develop a B2B software platform that could be used by media outlets covering the NFL or even by teams themselves. Bouska emphasized that the decision to start on the consumer side was strategic, as it aligns with the larger business opportunities available in the market. Field Vision is currently bootstrapped and employs seven people, with the app available on both iOS and Android platforms.
One key feature of the Field Vision app is the “matchup index,” which provides game projections for individual players. By focusing on player-specific predictions, the app can offer valuable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts as well. Bouska highlighted the importance of providing accurate and actionable information to consumers, given the increasing popularity of sports betting. With legal sports betting gaining traction and the NFL embracing the trend, Field Vision is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for data-driven insights in the football industry.
Overall, Field Vision represents a new wave of innovation in the sports analytics space, leveraging AI technology to provide fans with advanced data-driven insights. By combining historical data with real-time analysis, the app offers a comprehensive platform for football fans to enhance their understanding of the game and make more informed decisions. With plans to expand its offerings and explore partnerships in the future, Field Vision is poised to become a key player in the evolving landscape of sports technology and analytics.
