Sports Data API Documentation: Getting Started
Integrating data from the SportsData API is about as easy as it gets! Check out our documentation (below) for details. Also included below are links to our data collection workflow by sport. The workflow for data entry will give you a good idea of how often our feeds are updated before, during and after each event. The following is a high level overview to get you started and on your way.
The SportsData API is RESTful. The way to access data from us is through a GET request. The API returns XML.
The frequency/volume of requests for data determines our pricing structure. If you register for an account, you will be given free (and immediate!) trial access to our APIs. Then, for each sport you purchase, you will be given a different production KEY to allow access to your feeds at the agreed upon request volume.
To look at a specific game, find the schedule feed for the desired sport to get the unique identifier or relative path needed to create the URL for the API (see URL construct examples as well as the headers and XML returned for each API in the IO Docs section of this website). Most customers ramp up polling intervals on the feeds shortly before the scheduled event time to ensure desired level of data freshness. Additionally, many customers request the game final statistics periodically 24-38 hours post event to monitor for any scoring updates/changes made by the leagues. These additional requests are accounted for when setting the initial rate limits.
Samples of the available feeds for each sport can be found in the API Gallery.
Rate limits are applied on a per account/per sport basis. If your rate limit is reached, you will start to receive "HTTP 403: Account over Rate Limit" messages in response to your calls. We do our best to proactively monitor and notify you if you are approaching your limit to prevent service inturruptions. The quota is reset daily enforced over a rolling 30 days, so if you do exceed your limit please contact our customer service personnel and they can help you get back on track.
NCAA Football Extended Documentation
NCAA Men's Basketball Extended Documentation
MLB Extended Documentation (NOTE: 2012 MLB data is not full season)
Data Entry Workflow By Sport
NCAA Football Data Entry Workflow
NCAA Men's Basketball Data Entry Workflow
Change Logs By Sport
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