Partnerships between professional sports leagues and sports betting operators are becoming more common in a post-PASPA world. Today, the National Basketball Association announced another major deal, this time with FanDuel.
The expanded multiyear deal makes the daily fantasy sports turned sports betting operator an “authorized gaming operator of the NBA,” in addition to continuing as the “official daily fantasy partner” of the NBA and WNBA.
Adding to the portfolio
This is the third partnership between the NBA and a sportsbook operator. MGM Resorts International became the NBA’s first gaming partner with a $25 million deal in July.
In December, the league also announced FOX Bet would become its second official gaming partner.
“The core of our terrific partnership with FanDuel has been focused on innovation around the fan experience, and we are excited to extend it to include sports betting,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, head of fantasy and gaming for the NBA, in a release about the FanDuel Sportsbook deal.
“Together, we have broken new ground in the fantasy world on both the NBA and WNBA, and now with the use of our official NBA betting data, will continue to collaborate on new ways to engage our passionate fans,” Kaufman-Ross continued.
Terms of the FanDuel-NBA deal
The major component of the partnership allows FanDuel to gain access to official NBA betting data, which has become a hot commodity of late. The agreement also permits FanDuel to use league “marks and logos” across all sports betting platforms.
“The NBA was the first sports league we partnered with and has been an incredible partner ever since,” said Matt King, CEO of the FanDuel Group.
“We share a clear view on how we can collaborate to bring basketball fans new ways to engage with the games and players they love,” King said in a statement. “With the expansion of our fantasy agreement and addition of sports betting, we are excited to work together in ways we haven’t before.”
Additionally, FanDuel and the NBA will work together to “create new and exciting game formats” to further enhance fan experience when it comes to daily fantasy sports and sports betting. FanDuel worked in collaboration with the NBA on a product called “InPlay.”
The new norm for sports betting deals
Following the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision in May, gaming operators have been ironing out massive contracts between professional sports leagues and individual teams.
So far, six professional sports teams from MLB, NHL and NBA have partnered with a gaming operator.
When it comes to straight league deals, all but the NFL have secured at least one gaming partner.
- MLB + MGM Resorts
- NBA + MGM Resorts, BetStars, FanDuel
- NHL + MGM Resorts, FanDuel
You can see an in-depth review of all sports betting deals here.
