The NCAA publishes their data as batch feeds for use. We're starting with just using that. In addition to the current data they do that for ( 2000- ) a lot of old data is available dating back to the 1800's in various formats. ( I'm speaking of college football here in particular ).

However, I believe there are certain restrictions surrounding the real time access of data. We haven't come up against that obstacle yet, since we're first attacking historical archiving of data after the fact, even if it's only 1 day after the games have been played.