On the ball: Sony pounces on Hawk Eye wizardry

The Japanese electronics giant has bought the ball-tracking tech before announcing a deal to broadcast Wimbledon in 3D for the first time
Matthew Goodman and James Ashton
The Sunday Times
Matthew Goodman and James Ashton
The Sunday Times

Sony has bought Hawk-Eye, the company that produces the ball-tracking technology used in tennis and Test cricket.

The Japanese electronics and entertainment giant has acquired Winchester-based Hawk-Eye Innovations from Mark Getty, son of the late cricket-loving tycoon Sir Paul Getty. The deal values the business at £15m-£20m.

Hawk-Eye was founded by its managing director Paul Hawkins. The technology, developed in 1999, helps cricket and tennis umpires review instantly the path of a ball.

Cavendish, the corporate finance firm, was hired to find a buyer six months ago.

The sale of Hawk-Eye, which could be asked to test goal-line technology for football, is the third cricket-related deal for Getty. He previously sold Wisden, the cricketers’ bible, and Cricinfo, an online database.

Sony will this week announce