# Sports Reference API

> Sports Reference returns player career statistics and season leaders as a workflow and API.

Get player career returns regular-season statistics, awards, and season-by-season records for a named player; sport is optional. List season leaders returns players ranked by a statistic for a chosen sport and season; provide a statistic and sport, with season optional.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/sports-reference
- Handle: `@sports-reference`
- Category: [Sports](https://fous.com/tools/category/sports)
- Source website: https://sports-reference.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### Get player career

Operation `get_player_career`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get a player’s regular-season career statistics, awards and season-by-season record across basketball, football, baseball or hockey. Totals reflect the leagues shown on the player page; playoff statistics are excluded.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `sport` | string | no | `"football"` | Sport to search, for example basketball. All searches four sports and picks the strongest match. |
| `player` | string | yes | `"Tom Brady"` | The player name, for example Michael Jordan. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "player"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "sport": {
      "enum": [
        "all",
        "basketball",
        "football",
        "baseball",
        "hockey"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "all",
      "description": "Sport to search, for example basketball. All searches four sports and picks the strongest match.",
      "examples": [
        "football",
        "baseball",
        "hockey"
      ]
    },
    "player": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The player name, for example Michael Jordan.",
      "examples": [
        "Tom Brady",
        "Michael Jordan",
        "Clayton Kershaw"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "sport": "football",
      "player": "Tom Brady"
    },
    {
      "player": "Michael Jordan"
    },
    {
      "sport": "baseball",
      "player": "Clayton Kershaw"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `sport` | string | `"football"` |  |
| `teams` | array |  |  |
| `player` | string | `"Tom Brady"` |  |
| `seasons` | array |  |  |
| `seasons[].age` | integer or null | `23` |  |
| `seasons[].hits` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].runs` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].team` | string or null | `"NWE"` |  |
| `seasons[].wins` | number | `5` |  |
| `seasons[].games` | integer or null | `1` |  |
| `seasons[].goals` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].sacks` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].saves` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].league` | string or null | `"NFL"` |  |
| `seasons[].losses` | number | `5` |  |
| `seasons[].points` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].season` | string | `"2000"` |  |
| `seasons[].assists` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].tackles` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].shutouts` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].home_runs` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].page_link` | string | `"https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00/gamelog/2000/"` |  |
| `seasons[].plus_minus` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].receptions` | number | `1` |  |
| `seasons[].strikeouts` | number | `100` |  |
| `seasons[].completions` | number | `1` |  |
| `seasons[].stolen_bases` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].interceptions` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].passer_rating` | number | `42.4` |  |
| `seasons[].passing_yards` | number | `6` |  |
| `seasons[].rushing_yards` | number | `43` |  |
| `seasons[].shots_on_goal` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].forced_fumbles` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].runs_batted_in` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].batting_average` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].blocks_per_game` | number | `0.8` |  |
| `seasons[].innings_pitched` | number | `107.2` |  |
| `seasons[].points_per_game` | number | `28.2` |  |
| `seasons[].receiving_yards` | number | `23` |  |
| `seasons[].save_percentage` | number | `1` |  |
| `seasons[].steals_per_game` | number | `2.4` |  |
| `seasons[].assists_per_game` | number | `5.9` |  |
| `seasons[].field_goals_made` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].passing_attempts` | number | `3` |  |
| `seasons[].rushing_attempts` | number | `36` |  |
| `seasons[].rebounds_per_game` | number | `6.5` |  |
| `seasons[].earned_run_average` | number | `4.26` |  |
| `seasons[].on_base_percentage` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].passing_touchdowns` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].rushing_touchdowns` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].slugging_percentage` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].interceptions_thrown` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].receiving_touchdowns` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].field_goal_percentage` | number | `0.515` |  |
| `seasons[].free_throw_percentage` | number | `0.845` |  |
| `seasons[].goals_against_average` | number | `0` |  |
| `seasons[].on_base_plus_slugging` | number |  |  |
| `seasons[].walks_hits_per_inning` | number | `1.495` |  |
| `seasons[].three_point_percentage` | number | `0.173` |  |
| `positions` | array |  |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "sport": "football",
  "player": "Tom Brady"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "sport": "football",
  "teams": [
    "NWE",
    "TAM"
  ],
  "player": "Tom Brady",
  "seasons": [
    {
      "age": 23,
      "team": "NWE",
      "games": 1,
      "league": "NFL",
      "season": "2000",
      "page_link": "https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00/gamelog/2000/",
      "completions": 1,
      "passer_rating": 42.4,
      "passing_yards": 6,
      "passing_attempts": 3,
      "passing_touchdowns": 0,
      "interceptions_thrown": 0
    },
    {
      "age": 24,
      "team": "NWE",
      "games": 15,
      "sacks": 0,
      "league": "NFL",
      "season": "2001",
      "tackles": 0,
      "page_link": "https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00/gamelog/2001/",
      "receptions": 1,
      "completions": 264,
      "interceptions": 0,
      "passer_rating": 86.5,
      "passing_yards": 2843,
      "rushing_yards": 43,
      "forced_fumbles": 0,
      "receiving_yards": 23,
      "passing_attempts": 413,
      "rushing_attempts": 36,
      "passing_touchdowns": 18,
      "rushing_touchdowns": 0,
      "interceptions_thrown": 12,
      "receiving_touchdowns": 0
    }
  ],
  "positions": [
    "QB"
  ],
  "player_code": "BradTo00",
  "years_active": "2000 to 2022",
  "player_page_link": "https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00.htm",
  "awards_and_honors": [
    "15x Pro Bowl",
    "3x 1st Tm All-Pro"
  ]
}
```

### List season leaders

Operation `list_season_leaders`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

List league leaders for a season and statistic in basketball, football, baseball, or hockey. The latest season with published leaders is used if no season is given; supported baseball statistics include common batting and pitching categories.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `stat` | string | yes | `"points per game"` | Statistic in plain words. Example: points per game. |
| `sport` | string | yes | `"basketball"` | Sport: basketball, football, baseball, or hockey. Example: basketball. |
| `season` | integer | no | `2025` | Year the season ends, for example 2025. Defaults to the latest season with stats. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `25` | Number of leaders to list, for example 10. Default 10, maximum 50. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "sport",
    "stat"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "stat": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Statistic in plain words. Example: points per game.",
      "examples": [
        "points per game",
        "passing yards",
        "home runs"
      ]
    },
    "sport": {
      "enum": [
        "basketball",
        "football",
        "baseball",
        "hockey"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Sport: basketball, football, baseball, or hockey. Example: basketball.",
      "examples": [
        "basketball",
        "football",
        "baseball"
      ]
    },
    "season": {
      "type": "integer",
      "description": "Year the season ends, for example 2025. Defaults to the latest season with stats.",
      "examples": [
        2025
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 10,
      "maximum": 50,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Number of leaders to list, for example 10. Default 10, maximum 50.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        25,
        20,
        30
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "stat": "points per game",
      "sport": "basketball",
      "season": 2025
    },
    {
      "stat": "passing yards",
      "sport": "football",
      "season": 2025,
      "max_results": 25
    },
    {
      "stat": "home runs",
      "sport": "baseball",
      "season": 2025,
      "max_results": 20
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `sport` | string | `"basketball"` |  |
| `league` | string | `"NBA"` |  |
| `season` | integer | `2025` |  |
| `leaders` | array |  |  |
| `leaders[].rank` | integer | `1` |  |
| `leaders[].team` | string or null | `"OKC"` |  |
| `leaders[].value` | number | `32.7` |  |
| `leaders[].player` | string | `"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander"` |  |
| `leaders[].player_link` | string | `"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilgesh01.html"` |  |
| `stat_name` | string | `"Points Per Game"` |  |
| `leaders_page_link` | string | `"https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2025_leaders.html#leaders_pts_per_g"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "stat": "points per game",
  "sport": "basketball",
  "season": 2025
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "sport": "basketball",
  "league": "NBA",
  "season": 2025,
  "leaders": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "team": "OKC",
      "value": 32.7,
      "player": "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander",
      "player_link": "https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilgesh01.html"
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "team": "MIL",
      "value": 30.4,
      "player": "Giannis Antetokounmpo",
      "player_link": "https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/antetgi01.html"
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "team": "DEN",
      "value": 29.6,
      "player": "Nikola Jokić",
      "player_link": "https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html"
    }
  ],
  "stat_name": "Points Per Game",
  "leaders_page_link": "https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2025_leaders.html#leaders_pts_per_g"
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@sports-reference",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_player_career",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "sport": "football",
    "player": "Tom Brady"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@sports-reference\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_player_career\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"sport\": \"football\",\n    \"player\": \"Tom Brady\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@sports-reference",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_player_career",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "sport": "football",
    "player": "Tom Brady"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/sports-reference`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_player_career`: Get player career. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `list_season_leaders`: List season leaders. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-sports-reference https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/sports-reference --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Compare a player's regular-season records across seasons.
- Review a player's awards and career statistics.
- Find the leaders for a sport and statistic in a season.
- Compare player values within a season's leader list.

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this Sports Reference tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Sports Reference account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from sports-reference.com when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### What are a player's career statistics by season?

Get player career returns regular-season statistics, awards, and season-by-season records for a named player.

### Who led a sport in a particular statistic?

List season leaders returns ranked players for a supplied sport, statistic, and optional season.

## Related

- [Yahoo Sports API](https://fous.com/tools/yahoo-sports.md): Yahoo Sports returns date-based scores and schedules, seasonal standings, and player regular-season and career stats when Yahoo provides them; unavailable data may be missing.
- [MLB API](https://fous.com/tools/mlb.md): MLB provides scores, schedules and game details for one date or up to seven days, regular-season division standings defaulting to the current year, and player profiles with regular-season stats for a selected season and career.
- [ESPN API](https://fous.com/tools/espn.md): ESPN provides daily scores and schedules, team results, player statistics, matchup summaries, and latest topic-specific headlines; coverage and published details vary, especially for college and soccer.
- [NFL API](https://fous.com/tools/nfl.md): NFL provides weekly scores and schedules, regular-season standings, current rosters, and player season and career stats; released players are excluded, and ages or stats may be unavailable.
- [NHL API](https://fous.com/tools/nhl.md): NHL provides games, schedules, and scores when published, standings by date, and player profiles with regular-season stats; dates outside a season have no teams, and unavailable stats are null.
- [Premier League API](https://fous.com/tools/premier-league.md): Premier League provides current/chosen-season tables and recent form, date-range fixtures/results (up to 380), player profiles and stats, and seasonal leaders; older-season stats may be limited.
- [NBA API](https://fous.com/tools/nba.md): NBA provides up-to-seven-day schedules and scores, seasonal standings, player bios and available regular-season averages, plus matchup box scores, with undated matchups showing the latest.
- [SofaScore API](https://fous.com/tools/sofascore.md): SofaScore provides live sports scores and match statistics, plus football match details for the most recent played or live match and player season statistics.
- [All Sports tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/sports)