Boston-based sports betting brand DraftKings and the National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise from North Carolina Charlotte Hornets entered into a partnership deal, the sportsbook announced today.
“We’re excited to enter this partnership with DraftKings and bring its daily fantasy sports products to our great Hornets fans.”
Fred Whitfield, President and Chairman, Hornets Sports & Entertainment
DFS Exclusivity Granted
The multi-year deal made DraftKings the exclusive Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner of the Charlotte Hornets to increase the presence of the sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) brand in North Carolina.
“Charlotte Hornets basketball games are must-watch TV for the NBA, and we look forward to providing Hornets fans with a best-in-class gaming experience.”
Ezra Kucharz, CBO, DraftKings
The deal grants access for the DFS operator to official trademarks and logos of the Hornets, DraftKings-branded courtside and on the basket stanchion at Spectrum Center signage, as well as top-of-the-backboards logo displays.
“We look forward to deepening our business relationship with the Hornets organization through this new agreement and showcasing DraftKings in North Carolina.”
Ezra Kucharz, CBO, DraftKings
Social Promotions and Content Creation
Both parties also agreed under the partnership deal to collaborate for the development of social and promotional campaigns, as well as engaging content to further align their brands. DraftKings and the Hornets intent on developing a free-to-play, Hornets-themed predictive game, to be integrated into the mobile app of the NBA franchise from North Carolina.
“Collaborating with DraftKings will allow us to offer our fans engaging new experiences from the leader in this emerging area.”
Fred Whitfield, President and Chairman, Hornets Sports & Entertainment
The agreement would also grant DraftKings access to press conferences, courtside shootarounds, meet and greet coach and staff opportunities at games and other VIP experiential events.
The agreement with Charlotte Hornets continues the series of partnership deals DraftKings signed with sports franchises from the major professional leagues in the US.
In December, DraftKings entered into a multi-year agreement with the Nashville Predators from the National Hockey League (NHL) to become the Official Daily Fantasy Sports Provider and an Official Sports Betting Operator of the professional hockey team.
Earlier this month, DraftKings entered unchartered territory with regards to sports betting, having signed partnership deal with the Drone Racing League (DRL) to become an Official Sports Betting Partner of the league and make the drone races from the league the first aerial sporting event available for wagering.