It has been a golden week for NBA teams from California and one day fantasy sports sponsorship deals.
In addition to the partnership between the Sacramento Kings and DraftKings announced earlier this week, both the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers this week publicized their own deals with the site, the second-largest daily fantasy sports company operating in the United States behind FanDuel.
Deal represents first such pairing for Clippers
While the pairing of the Clippers and DraftKings, reported via a press release, is being hailed as the first of its sort for the Clippers, DraftKings has wasted no time signing more than a half dozen NBA teams to its roster, which grows longer by the week.
The terms of the deal will see the usual assortment of in-arena marketing offerings such as signage and game day tie-ins, as well as a contest for fans that will award the winner airfare to the Clippers game against Phoenix on April 14.
Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker said of the agreement, “We are excited to partner with DraftKings. This is a tremendous opportunity for the Clippers to associate with an innovative and progressive organization and we look forward to engaging our fan base through this new partnership.”
On Februry 11 there will be a press conference to discuss the Clippers / DraftKings union at 5:30 pm at the STAPLES Center.
Warriors see a chance to further connect with fans
Calling it an alliance that makes “perfect sense,” Golden State Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts acknowledged that his team’s newly-minted partnership deal with DraftKings will provide a brand-new opportunity for engagement with fans.
“We are excited to partner with a well-respected and innovative fantasy sports leader and be one of the first teams in the NBA to officially partner with DraftKings.” Welts said in a press release posted on the team’s NBA site.
Speaking to the third sponsorship of the week between his company and a Golden State basketball team, DraftKings CEO and co-founder Jason Robins remarked, “The rise in daily fantasy sports has garnered interest from fans and professional teams across the country, and we’re looking forward to working with the Warriors to see how we can leverage that popularity to bring them even closer to their fans.”
As part of that effort Warriors Slate Night – which feature throwback uniforms – will be presented by DraftKings going forward.
FanDuel has the lead on NBA sponsorships
With over 41 million players actively using fantasy sports sites in North America, it’s no wonder NBA teams and their MLB, NFL, NHL and college sports counterparts are eager to get in on the action.
While we count six NBA teams currently partnered with DraftKings, competitor FanDuel boasts seven – eight if you count its deal with the NBA itself.
A full list of sponsorship deals across various sports can be found here.
