US technology giant Intel has agreed a deal to acquire Voke, with the US virtual reality company set to come under its new sports division.
Intel Capital, the strategic investment and mergers and acquisitions organisation of Intel, launched Intel Sports Group last month with a remit of developing partnerships with major sports leagues to leverage Intel technologies to create new immersive experiences for fans.
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Voke has been making moves in the sports market. In October 2015, NBA basketball franchise the Sacramento Kings made a strategic investment in the company, while pay-television broadcaster Star India last month entered into a partnership with Voke to deliver VR sports coverage to the Indian market for the first time.
“The Voke team brings more than 20 years of VR expertise, and they’ve captured the attention and the imagination of broadcasters, leagues and teams with their technology and what’s possible,” James Carwana, general manager of the Intel Sports Group, wrote in a blog post.
“Together, we can innovate and scale our new immersive sports business faster to bring fans the most personalised, fully immersive VR experience ever imagined and change the way networks, sports leagues and teams engage with their audiences.”