For big swaths of 2015, FanDuel or DraftKings introduced some form of sponsorship deal nearly weekly.
The tempo of these offers slowed for quite a lot of causes — one being that the majority leagues or groups have been already partnered with one of many two largest daily fantasy sportsbook websites.
However DraftKings inked a cope with an expert sportsbook league this week — the Canadian Soccer League — and began providing contests based mostly on CFL video games.
Particulars of the DraftKings-CFL deal
The season kicks off on Thursday, and DraftKings is guaranteeing greater than USD100,000 in its CFL contests. That features the highest contest with USD50,000 in prizes and a USD27 entry payment.
Whereas monetary phrases weren’t disclosed on the deal between the league and DraftKings, here’s what we do know:
- The DFS website and the league have an “promoting and promotional partnership to advertise free to play DFS contests” based mostly on CFL video games.
- The CFL shall be “absolutely built-in” into the DraftKings platform, whereas DraftKings’ CFL fantasy contests shall be promoted on the league’s media and promotional platforms.
- DraftKings customers will get possibilities to win tickets to video games and “unique VIP CFL experiences.”
Jeffrey Haas, DraftKings Chief Worldwide Officer, had this to say in a press launch in regards to the announcement:
“Canada continues to be a key and rising marketplace for DraftKings, and our partnership with the CFL is one other manner for us to draw passionate Canadian sportsbook followers. The CFL is a dynamic league that works completely for DFS gamers of all ability ranges. Sports activities followers are going to like the problem of setting their weekly CFL roster and taking a shot at profitable some unimaginable prizes.”
Christina Litz, CFL Senior Vice-President of Advertising and marketing and Content material:
“We’re happy to type an promoting and promotional partnership with DraftKings that may elevate each of our manufacturers. This new fantasy providing will give avid CFL followers and sportsbook followers new to our league a possibility to deepen their engagement with our recreation. It’s an necessary a part of our technique to serve our present fan base higher than ever earlier than on the identical time we appeal to new followers, together with the subsequent era of followers.”
Enlargement outdoors of the U.S.
Whereas DraftKings already supplied its contests its DFS contests in Canada, the platform is mostly focused at Individuals. (DraftKings does supply NHL contests and has a partnership with the NHL in place. It additionally has an settlement with Maple Leaf Sports activities & Leisure, the proprietor of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.)
Earlier this 12 months, DraftKings entered the UK market with a playing license. The positioning additionally introduced offers with a number of English Premier League groups.
As soon as upon a time, DraftKings was engaged on an “worldwide highway map” for growth past North America. Such growth has seemingly been slowed by coping with authorized, regulatory and price issues with its present product within the US.
FanDuel is planning a UK rollout this summer season.
One other league within the fold for DraftKings
DraftKings has aggressively sought out partnerships with leagues, giving up fairness in change for offers within the case of Main League Baseball and the NHL.
It additionally has additionally finished offers with NASCAR and Main League Soccer. A cope with the blended martial arts group UFC resulted in 2015.
FanDuel’s one main league deal is with the NBA.