From insights to integration: A data partnership evolving over time

Sheffield United Football Club have been working with Off The Pitch since 2024 — a collaboration that has grown steadily in depth and importance. 

What started as a resource for strategic benchmarking has evolved into a core analytical asset. Off The Pitch's data now underpins decision-making across multiple departments — supporting everything from financial planning to squad strategy and executive communication.

Sean Robinson, Data Scientist, Sheffield United FC:

“Working with Off The Pitch has allowed us to bring a new level of speed and context into our data work. The ability to merge their insights with our internal processes ensures we don’t just get information. We make better decisions because of it.”
 

How Sheffield United uses Off The Pitch

Cross-departmental usage:

Sheffield United relies on Off The Pitch’s Financial and Player Valuation data to support a wide range of internal needs. From recruitment teams comparing valuations across markets to the executive team reviewing peer financials, having reliable and structured data available is a crucial part of the workflow.

Transfer Due Diligence:

Before entering negotiations, the club uses OTP’s data to assess potential counterparties — including their financial health, typical transfer behaviours, and ownership structure. This supports stronger deal planning and reduces risk.

Strategic benchmarking:

Sheffield United regularly benchmarks itself against a wide group of peer clubs, using OTP’s consistent financial data to understand how others operate across key dimensions. This comparative insight helps guide long-term planning and ensures strategic alignment with the club’s ambitions.

Board-level reporting:

Having immediate access to external reference points allows the executive team to respond with confidence in high-level discussions — whether on budgeting, investment strategy or market positioning. This enables sharper communication and more agile decision-making.