Microsoft has signed an agreement with Spanish football team Real Madrid to create a digital platform that aims to connect fans of the current European champions around the world. Under the terms of the four-year deal, Microsoft will become the strategic technological partner of Real Madrid and undertake a number of developments that will be unveiled in the coming months. The first initiative is a digital platform that will be powered by Microsoft's Power BI for Office 365 and, according to the partners, will “change the way in which Madridistas can follow their team.” Supporters of Real Madrid will be able to access exclusive online content and digital services at the stadium, at home or in any other location, selecting the content they want to see and when and where they want to see it.
The platform was presented at an event held at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, with the team’s president Florentino Perez hailing the agreement with Microsoft as "a powerful alliance" that would "change the relationship of millions of fans with Real Madrid". Last year Real Madrid’s Spanish rival, Barcelona, sealed an agreement with Intel that was worth USD 25 million over five years. No financial details of the Real Madrid-Microsoft deal were disclosed but, like Intel’s pact with Barcelona, the agreement also provides for collaboration in the application of sports technology, including joint research projects in the area. In addition, players and coaching staff will start using Microsoft devices as key work tools with the aim of enhancing the performance and efficiency of the team.
