The eSkootr Championship Appoint Vinit Patel As Head Of Technical

The eSkootr Championship (eSC) is pleased to announce Vinit Patel will join the series as Head of Technical.  Patel brings a wealth of experience to eSC having helped deliver sustainable engineering solutions in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.  Patel will oversee the technical aspects around the championship’s eSkootrs and charging infrastructure liaising and working with teams, partners and suppliers.

A foundation in Engineering

Patel began his motorsport career in engineering having studied Motorsport Engineering and Management.  Working first in junior motorsport categories, Patel gained hands-on experience putting together data logging systems before engineering British F3 championship winning drivers.  As a freelance engineer, Patel engineered drivers to race wins in Formula Renault, Formula 3 and A1GP, creating a wealth of engineering knowledge in the process. 

Patel moved into Formula One in 2011, first as the sole Pirelli engineer at Williams F1 team and later at Red Bull Racing during their dominant season winning the 2013 FIA Formula One Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship titles.  During this time Patel was responsible for overseeing tyre analysis and feedback, contributing to the team’s tyre planning strategy, an essential part of the race winning team.

Sustainability and Management

Patel moved to Mahindra Formula E team at the start of the 2014 season, where he led the team’s engineering efforts as Chief Engineer in the inaugural 2014 – 2015 season.  Patel’s role at Mahindra evolved as he took on further responsibilities, managing Special Projects and later overseeing Operations; bringing all team members in house, identifying and recruiting a team that would go on to regularly challenge for race wins. 

Vinit Patel said;

“I’m delighted to join eSC which is such a new innovation in sport and micromobility.  To be involved at this early stage, applying lessons learned elsewhere and as part of a team that is genuinely offering leading electric technology that is accessible to all, is really exciting. 

“We have some incredible partners at eSC and I’m excited to bring all these efforts together to create not only an amazing sport but a much greater in-depth knowledge of micromobility technology.”

Hrag Sarkissian, eSkootr Championship™ co-founder and CEO, added:

“Vinit has already been a fantastic addition to the team and has wasted no time in pulling together all our technical efforts to ensure an efficient and sustainable delivery.  Having worked in Formula E, Vinit perfectly understands the importance of our focus on sustainability and what we can do at eSC to carry this further than any other sport has done before.”

C.P. Company To Become Official Supplier To Envision Virgin Racing

Envision Virgin Racing is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with Italian sportswear brand C.P. Company from Season 8 of the Formula E World Championship. C.P. Company will build on its motorsport heritage and supply the team with an exclusive range of race and travel wear. The two brands will also collaborate to maximise their marketing strategies. 

Since its formation in 1971 by revolutionary designer Massimo Osti who is now recognized as the “godfather of sportswear”, C.P. Company has always had a strong affiliation with motorsport. In 1988, the brand sponsored the  legendary ‘Mille Miglia’ open road endurance race which provided the inspiration for its most well-known jacket from the company – the Goggle Jacket. This iconic piece incorporated goggles into the hood as well as a clear lens  into the sleeve so the racer could easily check the time.

In addition to their sporting prowess and pioneering approach, Envision Virgin Racing and C.P. Company share a firm commitment to sustainability and the safeguarding of the environment as one of their key responsibilities. From Season 8, C.P. Company’s innovative fashion will be worn by the team’s personnel, with items in the collection  made from 100% recycled fabric which contains no raw materials and requires 62% less energy to be manufactured. 

This common ethos and focus on sustainability will see both companies join forces to promote the team’s Race Against Climate Change™ – the movement that represents the Envision Virgin Racing mission. 

Lorenzo Osti, President at C.P. Company and son of its founder Massimo Osti said: “We’re proud to join Envision Virgin Racing in their Race Against Climate Change since innovation and commitment to protecting the environment has always been in the DNA of C.P. Company.

“Massimo Osti strongly believed in electric mobility: in the late eighties he was one of the founders of the ‘Green Turtle Team’ – one of the first electric racing teams who  participated in national and international competitions. The partnership with Envision Virgin Racing continues with his avant-gardist view and support of sustainable energies.”

Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director and CTO at Envision Virgin Racing said: “We are delighted to welcome C.P. Company back to world of motorsport with Envision Virgin Racing.

“The synergies that we share in our commitment to electric racing, a more sustainable planet and looking at things through a different lens really do highlight a perfect partnership. We are pleased that another innovative brand has joined our growing stable of partners and we all look forward to wearing their iconic apparel in Season 8.”

BitMEX Joins AC Milan As First-Ever Sleeve Partner

AC Milan and BitMEX, one of the world’s leading crypto derivatives platforms, are pleased to announce a multi-year partnership that will see BitMEX become the first-ever Official Sleeve Partner and the Official Cryptocurrency Trading Partner of the Rossoneri.

The BitMEX brand will feature on the sleeve of both the men’s and women’s team playing kit in all competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, and on the sleeve of the Rossoneri’s eSports team, AQM – marking another first for the Club.

The partnership with AC Milan is BitMEX’s first venture into the world of football and eSports. BitMEX is an iconic brand in the cryptocurrency sector best known for inventing the most traded cryptocurrency derivatives product in history, the Perpetual Swap. BitMEX has ambitious plans to expand beyond derivatives and offer a broad range of crypto products and services.

Whilst AC Milan prides itself in being an iconic football club with a strong heritage and the ability to reinterpret itself for a more modern and international audience, BitMEX is aiming to reshape the modern digital financial system into one that is more inclusive and empowering. AC Milan and BitMEX will focus on innovation, progress, and inclusion as central pillars in the activation of this partnership.

Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer of AC Milan, said:“We are delighted to welcome BitMEX to the Rossoneri family as a Principal Partner and our first-ever sleeve sponsor of both the men’s and women’s teams as well as of our eSports team AQM. Our red and black shirt is not just something our players wear on the pitch, it represents who we are, and it embodies the passion of the over 500 million AC Milan fans across the world. This is truly an exciting partnership and the beginning of a great journey for both brands and our fans.”

Alexander Höptner, CEO of BitMEX, said: “Our partnership with AC Milan is the start of a hugely exciting new chapter for BitMEX as we look to ramp up brand awareness and increase understanding of crypto. AC Milan is one of the world’s most progressive football clubs, and combined with its rich footballing heritage boasts extraordinary reach and engagement with fans globally. We felt we’d come home when we started talking to the Club, and we can’t wait to start interacting with the global Rossoneri family.”

This collaboration will offer the international Rossoneri fanbase access to the increasingly popular cryptocurrency world – including planned exclusive offers for eligible registered AC Milan fans – through a trusted industry name, whilst also allowing BitMEX to promote digital financial literacy. BitMEX users and business partners will also get exclusive access to the iconic AC Milan brand through unique experiences.

The BitMEX logo will be making its debut on the Club’s jersey on August 23rd, when AC Milan will be taking on Sampdoria in Genoa in the first Serie A game of the 2021/22 season. The logo will then make its San Siro debut in front of the Rossoneri home fans in the second Serie A matchday against Cagliari.

Golden Nugget Online Gaming Acquired By DraftKings For $1.56 Billion

DraftKings Inc. and Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for DraftKings to acquire Golden Nugget Online Gaming in an all-stock transaction that has an implied equity value of approximately $1.56 billion.

The acquisition will enable DraftKings to leverage Golden Nugget’s well-known brand, iGaming product experience and existing combined database of more than 5 million customers. In connection with the acquisition, DraftKings has entered into a commercial agreement with Fertitta Entertainment, Inc., the parent company of the Houston Rockets, Golden Nugget, LLC and Landry’s LLC, and a leader in the gaming, restaurant, hospitality, and sports entertainment industry.

“Our acquisition of Golden Nugget Online Gaming, a brand synonymous with iGaming and entertainment, will enhance our ability to instantly reach a broader consumer base, including Golden Nugget’s loyal ‘iGaming-first’ customers,” said Jason Robins, DraftKings’ CEO and Chairman of the Board.

“This deal creates meaningful synergies such as increased combined company revenues driven by additional cross-sell opportunities, loyalty integrations and tech-driven product expansion as well as technology optimization and greater marketing efficiencies. We look forward to Tilman being an active member of our Board and one of our largest shareholders.”

“This transaction will add great value to the shareholders as two market leaders merge into a leading global player in digital sports, entertainment and online gaming,” said Tilman Fertitta, Chairman and CEO of GNOG.

“Leveraging Fertitta Entertainment’s broad entertainment offerings and extensive customer database, coupled with DraftKings’ mammoth network makes this an unbeatable partnership. Together, we can offer value to our combined customer base that is unparalleled. We believe that DraftKings is one of the leading players in this burgeoning space and couldn’t be more excited to lock arms with Jason and the DraftKings family across our entire portfolio of assets, including the Houston Rockets, the Golden Nugget casinos and Landry’s vast portfolio of restaurants. This is a strong commercial agreement for both companies.”

Synergies and Strategic Benefits of the Acquisition

The acquisition of Golden Nugget Online Gaming will deliver significant strategic benefits to DraftKings as well as expected synergies of $300mm at maturity. DraftKings will deploy a multi-brand strategy which will enhance cross-sell opportunities and drive increased market share and revenue growth. In addition, there will be multiple channels for cost savings by, among other things, eliminating platform costs as a result of migrating Golden Nugget’s current technology to DraftKings’ in-house proprietary platform, recognizing enhanced returns on advertising spend through marketing efficiencies, and reducing G&A costs such as duplicative corporate overhead. The commercial deal will also reduce DraftKings’ market access rates through preferred pricing with Golden Nugget-owned properties and an exclusive commercial deal across daily fantasy sports, sportsbook and iGaming with the Houston Rockets which further solidifies the deep partnership between DraftKings and Fertitta Entertainment. Additionally, the all-stock deal preserves DraftKings’ balance sheet and aligns the long-term interests of both brands and shareholders.

Combined company revenues

DraftKings expects to see revenue uplift from additional cross-promotion opportunities, which will expand the Company’s customer base by engaging a loyal iGaming-first customer. Additionally, there are anticipated revenue synergies through potential technology and game expansion, including Live Dealer offerings.

Technology optimization

By bringing Golden Nugget Online Gaming onto DraftKings’ in-house technology, DraftKings expects to eliminate current Golden Nugget Online Gaming’s third-party platform costs, reducing operating expenses and vendor costs. Additionally, DraftKings’ technology-first approach will drive product enhancement through expanded offerings, including in-house live dealer, and an improved consumer-driven experience.

Marketing efficiencies

By streamlining marketing strategies and efforts between the two brands, DraftKings expects to realize a higher return on investment. Additionally, the agreement provides DraftKings new opportunities to deeply integrate with Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. and market to existing Golden Nugget customers through cross-selling products, in retail sportsbooks and across Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. assets. DraftKings customers will also have access to new VIP and promotional opportunities, including the ability to purchase discounted rewards and secure reservations using the DraftKings VIP rewards program, subject to a pricing agreement to be determined.

In connection with the acquisition, DraftKings has also reached an agreement regarding a separate commercial deal with Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. across its asset portfolio, including the Houston Rockets, Golden Nugget, LLC and Landry’s LLC. The commercial agreement will include marketing integrations, sponsorship assets with the Houston Rockets, an expanded retail sportsbook presence, and the optionality to obtain market access on favorable terms through certain Golden Nugget casinos. DraftKings will also become the exclusive daily fantasy sports, sports betting, and iGaming partner of the Houston Rockets and intends to open a sportsbook at the Toyota Center, pending state legalization and regulatory approvals.

Details of the transaction

As part of the transaction, DraftKings will undergo a holding company reorganization and form a new holding company New DraftKings, which will become the going-forward public company for both DraftKings and GNOG. New DraftKings will be renamed DraftKings Inc. at closing (“New DraftKings”).

Under the terms of the merger agreement entered into on August 9, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), Golden Nugget Online Gaming stockholders would receive a fixed ratio of 0.365 shares of New DraftKings’ Class A Common Stock for each Common Share of Golden Nugget Online Gaming they hold on the record date (the “Exchange Ratio”). Tilman Fertitta, who owns beneficially approximately 46% of the equity in GNOG, has agreed to continue to hold the DraftKings shares to be issued to him in the merger for a minimum of one year from the closing of the transaction.

The Board of Directors of Golden Nugget Online Gaming (the “GNOG Board”), acting upon the unanimous recommendation of a committee of independent and disinterested directors established by the GNOG Board (the “Special Committee”), approved the Merger Agreement and the transaction, and resolved to recommend Golden Nugget Online Gaming’s stockholders vote to approve the Merger Agreement and the transaction.

The Board of Directors of DraftKings has also approved the transaction.

The transaction is subject to approval by Golden Nugget Online Gaming stockholders, the receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022. The approval of the transaction by Golden Nugget Online Gaming stockholders is expected to be obtained through a written consent to be provided by Tilman Fertitta. 

Saran Media Group Becomes Broadcast Home Of Euroleague Basketball In Turkey

The new partnership starts in 2021-22 for EuroCup, 2022-23 for EuroLeague.

Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce that Saran Media Group has been chosen as the new TV partner for its competitions in Turkey, ensuring that the country’s countless fans will enjoy elite broadcast coverage of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup for years to come.

Turkey’s central role in the soaring popularity of the EuroLeague and EuroCup – which together have crowned four Turkish champions over the last six seasons – will be joined to the growth story of a new partner, Saran, which was founded in 1995.

Saran will begin broadcasting all EuroCup games featuring Turkish teams in the upcoming 2021-22 season and will do the same for the country’s EuroLeague teams starting in 2022-23. Saran will continue broadcasting both competitions until the end of the 2024-25 season, which will mark the 25th anniversary of Euroleague Basketball.

“We are happy to announce Saran as the new home for the top European basketball over the next few seasons,” Jordi Bertomeu, CEO of Euroleague Basketball, said. “Saran will continue to serve the ever-growing EuroLeague and EuroCup communities in Turkey with great games and high-quality production, but I’m sure that the collaboration will go well beyond that, as Saran is completely aligned with Euroleague Basketball’s off-the-court philosophy and values, too.”

Turkish fans have continued flocking to the EuroLeague in recent years, with TV audience numbers and fan interest jumping 21% each over the last three seasons. One of the country’s flagship clubs, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, became the first EuroLeague champion from Turkey in 2017, while another, Anadolu Efes Istanbul, won the 2021 Final Four and will enter the upcoming season as reigning champ.

All games featuring Turkish teams will be aired on Saran channels S Sport and S Sport2. Additional international games are to be featured on both channels as well as Saran’s OTT platform S Sport Plus. S Sport and S Sport2 are carried by the major Turkish pay TV platforms D-Smart, TV+, TiviBu, Kablo TV and Vodafone TV – reaching over five million pay TV households.

Alan Kenan Saran, CEO of SARAN Media Group, said: “We are excited and proud to be partnering with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and EuroCup to bring the highest quality of European basketball to millions of our dedicated and deserving sports fans on our S Sport channels. The EuroLeague has never been more popular in Turkey with the impressive recent championship seasons of Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce, and through S Sport’s outstanding editorial and production team we will ensure that the popularity and the brand continue to grow.”Back

BT Sport To Broadcast Italy’s Serie A Until 2024

BT Sport is to be the exclusive broadcaster of Serie A in the UK and Ireland in a three-season deal agreed with Infront, the league’s exclusive international media rights partner, running through to 2024.

Featuring some of the biggest names in world football, Serie A players include Juventus stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Aaron Ramsey, Milan’s Ibrahimovic plus Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. The dugouts will also feature a number of familiar faces, with Jose Mourinho returning to the league to manage AS Roma and Massimiliano Allegri returning to Juventus to try and repeat the success he enjoyed during his first spell with the club. BT Sport customers will also get to follow members of Italy’s UEFA Euro 2020-winning side including Juventus striker Federico Chiesa, Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne and Lazio’s Ciro Immobile.

Serie A on BT Sport kicks off on August 21 and every single match will be broadcast, with at least five live games shown each round, totaling around 200 live matches across the season.  James Richardson will host a weekend Serie A show featuring key live games and a look across all the action from the league.  

Next season is poised to renew last season’s battle between both Milan clubs for the Scudetto, with Inter Milan finishing first and AC Milan second last May. Juventus, who had won the previous nine championships prior to last season, will be targeting a return to winning ways after they finished in the top four by a single point in 20/21. Meanwhile, storied Italian clubs Napoli, Lazio, AS Roma and Sampdoria will be seeking improvements on their final league positions last season.

Rachel Knight, Sports Rights Director, BT Sport said: “We want to provide our customers with the best sport from across the world and the addition of Serie A means viewers will get to follow some of the biggest stars, managers and clubs in world football. European football has always been an important part of our line up, with Serie A now joining our exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League, alongside France’s Ligue 1.”

Chelsea FC Announces Partnership With Parimatch

Chelsea Football Club has signed a three-year partnership with the international tech and betting company.

Parimatch Tech, an international product company that promotes the Parimatch brand globally and provides tech and marketing solutions in the betting and entertainment industry, has signed a partnership agreement with Chelsea for the next three seasons.

Parimatch will use Chelsea’s bold and ambitious brand and will utilise a wide array of digital, social and logistical assets to create mutual branding opportunities. Follow @parimatch for the opportunity to win prizes and exclusive matchday experiences throughout the season.

Guy Laurence, Chelsea FC’s CEO, said: ‘Both Chelsea and Parimatch strive for greatness. We are bold, ready to innovate and, most importantly, we were both born to win.

“Last year was immensely successful for Parimatch as they expanded and opened new markets, while launching several game-changing projects. Chelsea also showed its excellence, becoming European champions for the second time in our history! We are excited and proud of this partnership and the opportunities it brings.’

Roman Syrotian, со-CEO at Parimatch Tech, added: ‘Chelsea’s unique style, determination and charisma resonate perfectly with Parimatch’s passion for sport and ambition. Becoming an official partner of 2020/21’s European champions is a great thrill and responsibility.

“Luckily, Parimatch is all about conquering new heights and unwinding emotions, and we are so excited for the next three years that this partnership is about to bring! As our two brands are used to winning in style and striving for success, we are very confident that this partnership will bring luck, countless victories and the thrill of the game to our company, to the club, and, in turn, to the millions of football fans across the globe.’

Infront Appoints FIFA Head of Sales Christopher Axer To New Role

Infront has appointed Christopher Axer to head up the ProSports division’s Central Sales team based at its Zug headquarters. Axer joins on October 1 after almost 15 years at world football governing body FIFA, where he is currently Head of Sales.

Following various roles within FIFA, Axer moved into sponsorship sales and for the last 10 years has negotiated major commercial deals for FIFA’s World Cup competitions across all levels and volumes. A German national, Axer has led FIFA’s global sponsorship programme for the last three years, during which he established an entirely new sales team with six direct reports.

As FIFA Head of Sales, Axer was instrumental in developing and rolling out the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ sales strategy as well as in shaping FIFA’s new commercial programme for the 2023-2026 cycle.

Michael Witta, Infront Vice President Marketing Sales & Services said: “Chris has gathered extensive   experience from both the brand and rightsholder side, and it is this track record in the sponsorship space that makes Chris a valuable asset in leading Infront’s sales team to new heights.”

Axer said: “I am very excited to join a global leading player like Infront. This represents an exceptional opportunity for me to work on a series of prestigious world sports events, while bringing in my experience to contribute to Infront’s objectives with a team of great professionals.”

McLaren Racing Announces Agreement To Acquire Majority Stake In IndyCar Team Arrow McLaren SP

McLaren Racing has taken the next step in its full-time return to IndyCar by announcing today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority share in the Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar team. The transaction will close by the end of the year and will see McLaren Racing take a 75% share of the team. Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. 

The agreement comes at the inaugural NTT INDYCAR Series race in Nashville, Tennessee, midway through the second season of the McLaren Racing partnership with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. 

The team was originally founded by Sam Schmidt in 2001, with Ric Peterson joining in 2013 to form Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM). The team ran one of the most successful Indy Lights programs in recent times, securing seven drivers’ championships, while in the INDYCAR series it has claimed 13 pole positions and 27 podiums including nine race victories, two as Arrow McLaren SP. 

The team will be governed by a new five-person board, comprising three McLaren Racing appointees together with Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson, chaired by Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. Taylor Kiel, President of Arrow McLaren SP, will continue to lead and oversee the operations of the team, reporting directly to the board. 

McLaren returned to full-time IndyCar competition in 2020 after a 40-year absence to create Arrow McLaren SP, forming a strategic partnership with title sponsor Arrow Electronics and SPM, bringing technical and engineering expertise to the existing operation. In addition, McLaren has helped strengthen the team’s commercial portfolio with the addition of sponsors Vuse, Mission Foods, Darktrace, Tezos and QNTMPAY while supporting the team’s communications, social and content activities to help build its growing fanbase. 

The announcement underlines the continued growth of the McLaren Racing organisation, with four fully-fledged teams, headed by McLaren F1 and complemented by the McLaren IndyCar, McLaren Extreme E and McLaren Shadow esports and gaming teams. 

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing commented: 

“Today’s announcement is a strong signal of our long-term commitment to IndyCar as both a racing series and a marketing platform for McLaren Racing and our sponsor partners. 

“I want to pay tribute to Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson who, together with the commitment and support of Arrow Electronics, have built a formidable team for us to keep growing and fulfil our common ambition of consistently challenging for wins, Indy 500s and series titles. Key to this is the continued leadership of Taylor Kiel as president of the team, who has been instrumental to the progress of the partnership so far. 

“McLaren Racing believes IndyCar will continue to build our brand in North America, serve our expanding US fan and partner base across our racing portfolio and drive long-term value. The racing is second-to-none, with world-class competitors in both drivers and teams and a passionate, highly engaged fanbase. 

“We see real potential for the series’s continued growth under the stewardship of Penske Entertainment and will continue to play an active role supporting the sport’s success, growing the global fan base and implementing our sustainability agenda to deliver on environmental and social commitments, including progressing diversity and inclusion in the industry.” 

Sam Schmidt, Co-owner, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, commented: 

“I’ve known Zak for 25 years. He’s a racer and this is a group of hardcore racers. We started our partnership two years ago and it’s gone extremely well, both technically and commercially. Ric came in 2013 and moved the bar of the team up. Arrow came in a couple of years later and again we moved the bar up. 

“With McLaren we’re moving forward again. As we’ve seen we’re now a regular contender and ultimately for Ric and I, we are here to win races, win 500s and win championships. This next step ensures the resources to do that for a long time ahead. 

“I want to say that we couldn’t have done this without Arrow and Lucas Oil. They really were the foundational sponsors this team was built on and we wouldn’t be here without them. McLaren is an iconic brand and we’re proud to be with them. We’re doing this to make the team better and ensure long-term success.” 

Ric Peterson, Co-owner, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, commented: 

“We always believed that to accelerate our progress in IndyCar, partnering with a team of McLaren’s capability and F1 experience was a key strategy to propel us forward, and so it has proved. McLaren Racing now takes the baton and will combine the best of what they do with the best of what this team does to create something truly special. 

“Sam and I are immensely proud of what we have built together through our partnership over the past nine years, and look forward to continue being part of this team as a partner with McLaren Racing to see Arrow McLaren SP go from strength to strength.” 

Mike Long, CEO and President, Arrow Electronics, commented: 

“As title sponsor to Arrow McLaren SP since the team’s very early days and a strategic partner to McLaren Racing, we couldn’t be more pleased to see these two world-class organizations come together as one going forward.

“Our partnership with Sam, Ric and Zak is built on a shared passion for innovation, winning, and the belief in the power of technology to make life better, as evidenced by our work on the Sam Car, Sam Suit, and the UK Ventilator program. 

“We are very happy with both teams in Indy and F1 and believe we have some of the hardest-working and fastest drivers and crew in the sport, and we are only getting started. Arrow stands proudly behind the teams. We look forward to many more wins to come.” 

DraftKings and Genius Sports Sign Transformative NFL, Official Sports Data, Same-Game Parlay, and Fan Engagement Agreement

Genius Sports has announced a new supplier agreement with DraftKings, leading sports betting and gaming operator in the U.S., to provide its full range of official sportsbook data and content and fan engagement solutions, including a complete suite of NFL-related products.

The agreement with DraftKings signifies the international adoption of official sports data across the sports ecosystem. As part of the agreement, DraftKings will leverage Genius Sports’ unique technology to help power immersive and personalized live experiences for millions of fans. DraftKings will also gain access to Genius Sports’ proprietary, official data and live video feeds from over 170,000 events per year, including its official NFL data products, dynamic content and player acquisition and retention solutions.

In April 2021, DraftKings was selected as one of the NFL’s tri-exclusive official sports betting partners. In the same period, Genius Sports became the league’s exclusive distributor of real-time official play-by-play statistics, proprietary Next Gen Stats (NGS) data, and official sports betting data feed. DraftKings will also become one of the first betting operators to implement a full Genius Sports NFL offering, including NGS, that powers the full player lifecycle, from new acquisition to pre-and in-game engagement, as well as long-term retention.

With this collaboration, DraftKings will expand its official sports data portfolio, allowing customers access to secure, authorized, and official data from top-tier leagues beyond the NFL such as the English Premier League, Liga MX and NASCAR. Through these official live streams, DraftKings users will be able to wager on hundreds of new competitions, including Argentine and Colombian soccer, and the American Hockey League, further reinforcing the business’ position as a provider of world-leading live betting products.

As part of this partnership, DraftKings will also deploy BetBuilder, Genius Sports and Sportcast’s fully automated same-game parlay solution for the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and major soccer competitions.

“Our customers are at the forefront of all we do and we are always working to better their experience and our products,” said Ezra Kucharz, Chief Business Officer, DraftKings. “The mutually beneficial terms of this agreement allow us to leverage Genius’ technology for years to come. We are excited to expand on the capabilities of our products and provide new and exciting features for our customers like same-game parlays, while having confidence in the integrity of the data we utilize to fuel our offerings.”

“Being selected by DraftKings, one of the most prolific sportsbook brands in the US, is another historic achievement for Genius Sports,” said Mark Locke, CEO at Genius Sports. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to official sports data and demonstrates its intrinsic value in helping our sportsbook partners stand out from the competition. Our data, trading, streaming and marketing services deliver a complete set of sportsbook solutions that are backed by the largest leagues in world sports, including the NFL.”

“We have invested heavily to ensure that our official data is the fastest, richest and most accurate available, and are committed to continued innovation,” said Christopher Halpin, NFL Chief Strategy & Growth Officer. “With Genius, DraftKings and the NFL working together on official sports data, we will help create a highly engaging, secure and sustainable sports betting environment for fans to enjoy.”