Last month’s acquisition of PA SportsTicker by STATS altered the landscape of sports information delivery, and not nearly enough time has passed to tell us what it will mean for our industry.

Obvious questions concern the effects on cost, innovation, customer service and employment, but the race to expand international coverage is also becoming central more important all the time.

To get the discussion started, FSB.com asked a few questions of STATS executive vice president Steve Byrd.

First of all, what does this deal change for customers who already subscribed to feeds from either STATS or SportsTicker? Will those existing customers notice anything different?

STATS clients will not notice any difference in their service. PA SportsTicker clients will receive both more accurate and timely information than they have received before.

Why did STATS decide to acquire SportsTicker?

STATS has evolved into a global company in recent years. The acquisition of SportsTicker was just a part of several overseas initiatives STATS is doing with UK based PA Sport.

What would you say to someone who worries that less competition in the field of stat and information delivery will negatively impact cost and service for the customer?

They should not worry. STATS will be honoring the existing contracts of all SportsTicker clients. They are, however, receiving better and more accurate services from STATS. They will also have the option to receive deeper and richer data offerings that PA SportsTicker did not provide - including award winning Associated Press editorial and photos.

Beyond the existing STATS/SportsTicker customer base, what would you say to the average leader of a small or mid-sized business in the sports industry who is worried that decreased competition in the delivery of sports information will negatively affect cost and service?

We don’t understand that worry. Numerous sports information options remain. At STATS, we offer the most in-depth information and the highest performance standards at a consistent value.

What does the deal mean for the fantasy arm of STATS? Are there any changes or new offerings planned that relate to this?

STATS’ fantasy sports division will see little change. PA SportsTicker was not in the business of building and hosting fantasy games. They did have a small number of clients in the fantasy space who received data feeds — those clients will now receive their feeds from STATS and will enjoy more accurate and timely delivery of those feeds.

A roundup of recent posts on the FSB News page.

– STATS executive vice president Steve Byrd says that companies are beginning to learn how to “leverage their brand and interact with their customers using unique sports content and games.”

– John Hermansen of Global IP Solutions thinks that the fantasy league experience would benefit from the addition of voice over IP capabilities.

– Not only is there an outlet for you to play fantasy supercross, but you can win an actual race-used bike.