The football season is going to look a little different this year. In addition to an extended 17-game calendar, the National Football League is offering fans a sports betting experience like never before.
The NFL recently announced sportsbook partnerships with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel.
NFL signs “tri-exclusive” sportsbook partnerships
These multi-year agreements mark the football league’s first-ever sportsbook collaborations. The three brands now have exclusive rights to NFL-themed marketing campaigns and free-to-play games.
The partnerships look slightly different for each sportsbook, though some key factors are the same across all brands. The three sportsbooks will now be integrated into featured content on NFL.com and the NFL App. In return, each sportsbook will feature exclusive NFL data highlights, footage, and Next Gen Stats on their platforms.
Renie Anderson, chief revenue officer and executive vice president of NFL partnerships, is enthusiastic about what this new agreement means for fans.
“As the sports betting landscape has continued to evolve in the United States, we have been thoughtful with our strategy and are excited to announce three partners who share the NFL’s vision and goals. Working closely with Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel, we will provide fans new and different ways of interacting and engaging with the sport they love.”
Moreover, the brands are going one step further by keeping the best interest of football fans in mind. The sportsbooks aim to protect fans by collaborating on different responsible gaming and advocacy initiatives.
Caesars to integrate NFL branding at retail books
Caesars Entertainment already offers a variety of exclusive fan experiences as the NFL’s official casino sponsor. Now, the brand adds another notch to its belt.
As an official sports betting partner, Caesars will integrate NFL branding into its online and retail sports betting spaces throughout Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg says fans should be especially excited about the upcoming football season:
“As the first-ever gaming partner of the National Football League, everyone at Caesars Entertainment is thrilled to expand and strengthen our relationship. Together, we will create new ways for football fans to share in the action of their favorite sport. Football season will be more exciting than ever now that fans can enjoy an enhanced experience at our casinos, in our sportsbooks, and online—all while earning Caesars Rewards credits and tier status that they can use to unlock incredible experiences.”
DraftKings gets on NFL Red Zone
DraftKings‘ relationship with the NFL dates back to September 2019, when the company became the NFL’s official daily fantasy partner.
As part of its new sports betting partnership, DraftKings will now enjoy a prominent presence on the NFL RedZone channel.
Jason Robins, CEO, chairman and co-founder sees this collaboration as a progressive moment for professional football.
“The way fans consume sports years from now will look drastically different, and it will be due in part to forward-thinking collaborations like our expanded relationship with the NFL today as an Official Sports Betting and Exclusive Daily Fantasy Sports Partner. We share the same vision as the NFL on fan engagement and believe this agreement will lead to new innovations that will ultimately enhance both the product on the field and on the screen.”
FanDuel snags NFL highlights
FanDuel made history last year when it became the official sports betting and daily fantasy partner of the Denver Broncos – marking the first partnership of its kind between a sportsbook and a professional football team.
Now, FanDuel has partnered with the league itself. This coming season, users can look forward to in-game and post-game highlights within FanDuel’s sportsbook and fantasy sports app.
Additionally, the NFL Network will integrate FanDuel into the pre-game coverage of seven of this year’s regular season games.
FanDuel Chief Executive Officer Matt King expects the upcoming football season to be unlike any other:
“On Super Bowl Sunday we got a glimpse at how powerful the combination of the NFL’s excitement and our platform can be in delivering an enhanced fan experience. We are delighted to make that combination official by pairing America’s market share leading sportsbook with America’s favorite sports league. This partnership provides our shared customers with a new level of innovation and unmatched premium content directly within our platform – ultimately enhancing every gameday.”
These new NFL sportsbook partnerships position sports betting and professional football closer than ever before.
Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel may find themselves in a league all their own once the 2021 season kicks off.
