Charlotte Hornets Name DraftKings Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner

Article ByStan Fox

February 1, 2021

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Posted in: North Carolina Gambling News

DraftKings announced Wednesday an exclusive multi-year official daily fantasy sports partnership with the NBA franchise, Charlotte Hornets. The deal will significantly increase the Boston-based sportsbook’s presence in North Carolina, besides giving it access to Hornets trademarks and logos. Also, the deal allows the DraftKings-branded LED signage to be featured at the Spectrum Centre, the team’s home arena.

The Charlotte-based professional basketball team is owned by the former basketball player Michael Jordan. The Boston-based sportsbook will work with the team on promotions through social media. The collaboration also entails a plan to create a new, free-to-play predictive game themed after the Hornets, to be available on the team’s mobile app. DraftKings will host VIP experiences during games, including courtside shootarounds, meet-and-greets with Hornets’ staff and coaches, in addition to access to press conferences.

Excitement All-Around

Both companies were thrilled over the union as the latest episode of a series of collaborations between a sports team and a sportsbook operator.

While commenting on the deal, DraftKings chief business officer Ezra Kucharz stated that the company looks forward to providing Hornets fans with a “best-in-class gaming experience.” He said that Hornets basketball games are must-watch TV for the NBA, and DraftKings looks forward to deepening its business relationship with the team’s organization through the new ties and showcasing DraftKings in North Carolina.

Hornets also spoke through its Sports & Entertainment President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield, who expressed excitement over the partnership with the biggest leader in daily fantasy sports betting in the US, whose products will now be extended to Hornets fans as well. “We’re excited to enter this partnership with DraftKings and bring its daily fantasy sports products to our great Hornets fans,” he said. “Collaborating with DraftKings will enable us to offer our fans engaging new experiences from the leader in this area.”

DraftKings’ Recent Partnership Deals

The Charlotte Hornets daily fantasy sports partnership comes just a month after DraftKings inked a deal with NHL’s Predators. In December, the company became the official sports betting operator and daily fantasy sports provider of the professional Hockey team. DraftKings branding is visible throughout Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, the home of the Predators. During home games, DraftKings brand signage will also be featured on the Lexus Lounge LED screen.

In a separate partnership, the Boston-based sportsbook has also partnered with the Drone Racing League (DRL), allowing fans to place bets on the aerial sports event. DraftKings-DRL is the first partnership that will allow fans to place wagering options on an aerial sporting event. Currently, betting on DRL races is allowed in Tennessee, New Jersey, Colorado, New Hampshire, West Virginia. While other states are yet to approve it.

The most recent partnership with the Charlotte Hornets is the latest DraftKings development, though with the company’s current trends, we can expect further partnerships with other sports franchises in the future.