Sony buys Hawk-Eye sports ball tracking firm

TOKYO, Mar 8 (AFP): Japanese technology and entertainment giant Sony has bought Hawk-Eye, the British-based firm whose computer systems assist umpires and track the path of balls in sports such as tennis and cricket. The two firms did not disclose the value of the transaction, but the Nikkei newspaper estimated it to be worth "several billion yen" (tens of millions of dollars). Sony will use Hawk-Eye's know-how, technology and business network in the sports industry to improve its sports-related products, such as IT solutions for sports arenas, the company said in a statement dated Monday. "Hawk-Eye presents Sony with the opportunity to acquire a small, innovative company with unique knowledge and excellent growth and synergies potential," Naomi Climer, vice-president of Sony Europe, said in the statement.