- Sports streaming service DAZN has inked a deal with BetMGM making them the network’s exclusive odds provider for US boxing broadcasts.
- MGM has been very active in forging partnerships with professional leagues and the teams within them.
- The partnership began on Saturday, November 7 in the Devin Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa fight.
The upstart DAZN sports streaming network has signed a deal with BetMGM naming them ‘exclusive odds provider for US boxing broadcasts’. The first fight of the partnership took place on Saturday, November 7 as Devin “The Dream” Haney easily defended his WBC lightweight championship against well traveled veteran Yuriorkis Gamboa. The undefeated Haney (25-0) took a unanimous decision by scores of 118-109, 120-107 and 120-107 in a bout held at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The multi-fight broadcast/digital deal gives BetMGM ‘exclusive odds provider’ status for a dozen DAZN events over the next year. The deal will include BetMGM branding displayed in DAZN live streams and other coverage including previews of updated betting odds. During the fight broadcasts, live BetMGM tickers along with dedicated betting content. There will also be one ‘branded round’ in the main event for each broadcast as BetMGM will be the ‘official presenting sponsor’ of the ‘Over/Under Round’. In addition, DAZN will promote BetMGM on social media and network subscribers in licensed states will get frequent promo offers for sportsbook signup.
Michael Mobley, Vice President of Media Sales in North America for DAZN, is excited to be working more closely with BetMGM and spared no boxing/betting metaphors as he expressed this:
“We are thrilled to go all in on sports betting and embark on an exciting new chapter with BetMGM – marking our longest-term sports betting partnership yet in the U.S. With BetMGM in our corner as DAZN’s go-to source for betting insights, fight fans will be able to stay up to date on the latest odds and enjoy even more compelling content around boxing’s biggest events.”
Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer at BetMGM, gave props to DAZN as well:
“DAZN has been a great partner and we couldn’t be happier for BetMGM to be the exclusive odds provider for their U.S. boxing broadcasts.Our deep integrations, like supplying live odds during boxing’s biggest matches and offering customized promotional offers to DAZN subscribers, will provide boxing fans and bettors with entertaining and exciting opportunities to get in on the action.”
Devin Haney was a lopsided favorite in the matchup with Yuriorkis Gamboa reaching chalk prices of -5000 (1/50) with some bookmakers. That didn’t stop one ‘bridge jumper‘ from scratching out a profit on the fight. A bettor with BetMGM in Southern Nevada wagered $240,000 to win $4800. Haney’s father and head trainer Bill Haney commented to Boxing Scene on the big chalk bet: “Easy money. Our pleasure helping out.”
It was a tumultuous week for DAZN. A few days ago, the network settled a breach of contract lawsuit from reigning boxing PPV king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alverez. In 2018, Alverez signed a then record 11 fight, five year $365 million deal giving DAZN exclusive rights to his fights. The relationship went south when Alverez, DAZN and promoter Golden Boy Promotions couldn’t come to terms on his next fight date, opponent and payment. In September, Alverez sued DAZN and Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya for the $280 million remaining on his deal. After attempts at mediation failed the three parties to the lawsuit reached a settlement that made Alverez a ‘free agent’ with no more contractual obligations to Golden Boy or DAZN.
In an ‘only in boxing’ coda to the story, Alverez is now in negotiations to fight Callum Smith in December at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. There’s a good chance that despite the rancorous end to Alverez’s contract with DAZN the fight might end up being broadcast on the network.
