- The National Hockey League (NHL) has announced DraftKings as an ‘Official Sports Betting, Daily Fantasy Sports and iGaming Partner’.
- In addition, DraftKings has agreed with Turner Sports to be the ‘exclusive sportsbook and daily fantasy sports provider’ for their coverage of the NHL.
- The NHL has leveraged the interest in sports betting for partnerships with sportsbooks in North America and Internationally.
The National Hockey League (NHL) has been very quick to embrace the revenue and promotional possibilities of sports betting. They’ve been aggressive at adding sportsbooks as ‘official league partners’ in North America and Internationally. In the US, the NHL has signed several sportsbooks as official league partners including Bally’s, PointsBet, FanDuel, Betway USA, William Hill and BetMGM. They’ve added Tipsport and Olybet in Europe along with Liga Stavok in Russia. The most recent partnership announced is with US sports betting/daily fantasy sports (DFS) giant DraftKings–they have been named as an ‘Official Sports Betting, Daily Fantasy Sports and iGaming Partner’ of the NHL.
In addition, DraftKings has reached an agreement with Turner Sports–including the Bleacher Report family of websites–to be the ‘exclusive sportsbook and daily fantasy sports provider’ for their coverage of the NHL. Under this deal, DraftKings will provide sports betting information and daily fantasy content across Turner Sports telecasts and Bleacher Report digital channels including the B/R app. Planned integrations include DraftKings’ betting odds and daily fantasy statistics, original content, personalized automated alerts and editorial across B/R channels including the B/R Betting vertical, which a press release annoucning the deal calls “the most engaged digital sports media brand in the sports betting industry.”
Here’s some more info on what the DraftKings deal with the NHL will entail:
As an Official Sports Betting, Daily Fantasy Sports and iGaming Partner of the NHL, DraftKings will be granted access to NHL assets which will enhance the DraftKings’ product experience including the use of official marks and logos, as well as themed sweepstakes and enhanced promotional efforts both during the regular season, NHL® All-Star Weekend and throughout the Stanley Cup® Playoffs and Stanley Cup® Final. DraftKings will also have the opportunity for a variety of content integrations across the league’s digital and linear media platforms.
Jason Robins, CEO, chairman and co-founder, DraftKings, praised the enthusiasm of NHL fans in announcing the deal with the league and Turner Sports:
“The NHL has some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and we are delighted to be working with the league once again, while developing a rich and engaging viewership and content experience that matches this fanbases’ enthusiasm through our deal with Turner. Over the years DraftKings has become a brand synonymous with sports, with a fan-first approach through real-money gaming options, and we look forward to collaborating with the NHL alongside Turner Sports and Bleacher Report to provide hockey fans with what’s next in sports.”
Keith Wachtel, NHL Chief Business Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, is excited to bring DraftKings on board to work with the league and Turner Sports:
“As we embark on what promises to be a thrilling 2021-22 NHL season, our partnership with DraftKings, as well as with Turner Sports, will provide for new and exciting experiences to deepen our fan engagement. We’re proud to welcome back DraftKings to the NHL family, and look forward to collaborating together with Turner Sports – one of our valued media partners – to develop unique and exciting content for our fans.”
Raphael Poplock, SVP of Strategic Partnerships, Business Development and Content Acquisitions, Turner Sports also added this comment:
“Turner Sports and Bleacher Report have become the home of innovative sports betting content and integrations across all our channels. Our agreement with DraftKings expands and strengthens our relationship, allowing us to further serve fans with the type of sports betting information, entertainment and quick-resolving betting options that we have pioneered.”
The 2021-2022 National Hockey League regular season began on Tuesday night and will run through April 29, 2022. The Stanley Cup playoffs will begin in early May.
