DraftKings sportsbook has announced the appointment of Major League Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. to its board of directors in a special advisory role. Ripken will lend strategic insights to the board and CEO on key company initiatives and become a DraftKings equity holder. Ripken joins Michael Jordan as an advisor to the company board.
Ripken was a shortstop and third baseman for the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles. He played for 21 seasons and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, his first year of eligibility. Ripken is one of only 10 players in baseball history with more than 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. He won a World Series championship, two American League MVP Awards, two AL All-Star Game MVP Awards and two Gold Gloves. He made 19 All-Star Game appearances and captured eight Silver Slugger Awards.
Baseball’s “Iron Man” is best known for his incredible streak of 2,632 consecutive games played. Since retiring after the 2001 season, Ripken has become a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and corporate speaker.
“Cal Ripken Jr. embodies the qualities of perseverance and integrity we value so highly at DraftKings,” said Jason Robins, CEO and co-founder of DraftKings. “We are inspired not only by Cal’s historic playing days, but also his current work to cultivate new generations of ballplayers. His unique combination of leadership, longevity and business acumen ensure that we will receive invaluable strategic counsel.”
Among other key business initiatives, Ripken will advise DraftKings on company strategy, product development and marketing activities.
“The game I played for so many years has greatly benefitted from technological advances, and I cannot say enough about DraftKings’ importance as a catalyst, innovator and disruptor to enhance the game for modern baseball fans and others,” said Ripken.
Today, Ripken runs Ripken Baseball, a youth-baseball business that operates four tournament and instruction destinations called “The Ripken Experience.” In addition, he’s written several best-selling books and serves as a sports diplomacy envoy for the U.S. Department of State; in that capacity, he’s made goodwill trips to China, Japan, Nicaragua and the Czech Republic.
