DraftKings is cementing its relationship with Major League Baseball by entering into partnership with 27 of the league’s 30 teams.
The series of new deals includes all MLB teams except the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, which play in states that prohibit daily fantasy games. The Canadian-based Toronto Blue Jays have also not joined the deal.
DraftKings already has a deal with MLB as the league’s official daily fantasy game. DraftKings operates the $4 Million Fantasy Baseball World Championship, which gives fans the chance to win real-money prizes through fantasy sports games.
The expanded deal allows DraftKing players access to unique baseball contests and special experiences with their favorite teams, as well as exclusive content.
“Baseball is one of the fastest-growing categories in daily fantasy sports and our MLB partnerships ensure that we will continue to offer the sport’s most engaging fantasy games and experiences,” said Jason Robins, chief executive of DraftKings in a press statement. “The excitement and tremendous user engagement surrounding our $4 Million Fantasy Baseball Championship is further proof of the value of our relationships with MLB and its teams.”
Meanwhile, DraftKing’s biggest rival FanDuel announced a sponsorship deal with the National Basketball Associations’ Charlotte Hornets. The site has deals with several NBA teams.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but FanDuel did say in a press release that Hornets fans will gain access to free-to-play online FanDuel games and possibly win a range of VIP experiences such as autographed merchandise and the chance to travel with the team to an away game.
FanDuel will also have promotions at Hornets events and will sponsor the ‘Fantasy Outlook of the Week’ segments on the franchise’s official website. Other elements of the deal include courtside and LED signage inside the team’s Time Warner Cable Arena, in-venue scoreboard features and the ability to use Hornets logos and marks.
“We are pleased that this multi-faceted partnership provides our fans with the opportunity to win unique Hornets experiences by participating in FanDuel games,” Hornets president and chief operating officer Fred Whitfield said.
