DraftKings has reached separate deals to become an official sports betting partner of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the US, and to serve as the exclusive sportsbook provider for Turner Sports’ coverage of the NHL.
Under the agreement with the NHL, DraftKings will also serve as an official league partner for daily fantasy sports and iGaming. The deal calls for the company to be given access to league assets, including use of official marks and logos, in order to enhance the experience for players on DraftKings.
The NHL agreement also covers the league’s sweepstakes and promotions, during the regular season, All-Star Weekend, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final. DraftKings said the agreement will also give it the opportunity to integrate content across the league’s various media platforms.
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said the NHL “has some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and we are delighted to be working with the league once again, while developing a rich and engaging viewership and content experience that matches this fanbases’ enthusiasm through our deal with Turner [Sports].”
Keith Wachtel, the NHL’s chief business officer, echoed that sentiment. “As we embark on what promises to be a thrilling 2021-22 NHL season, our partnership with DraftKings, as well as with Turner Sports, will provide for new and exciting experiences to deepen our fan engagement,” he said.
“We’re proud to welcome back DraftKings to the NHL family and look forward to collaborating together with Turner Sports, one of our valued media partners, to develop unique and exciting content for our fans.”
Agreement with Turner Sports
A separate agreement with Turner Sports, whose portfolio includes Bleacher Report, calls for DraftKings to serve as its exclusive sportsbook and daily fantasy sports provider for the network’s coverage of the NHL.
The deal with Turner Sports calls for DraftKings to provide the network with sports betting information and daily fantasy content during its telecasts and Bleacher Report’s digital channels, including its B/R app. DraftKings plans to integrate betting odds and daily fantasy statistics into its offerings, as well as original content, personalized automated alerts and access to news stories across various B/R channels.
Turner Sports landed a separate multimedia rights agreement with the NHL last April. Under that agreement, 50 regular season games will be broadcast on its TNT channel for the first time.
TNT will also air the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. The channel will provide live coverage of the Stanley Cup Final for three of the next seven years, plus half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs each year. That includes half of the Conference Finals as well as the First and Second Round games.
“Turner Sports and Bleacher Report have become the home of innovative sports betting content and integrations across all our channels,” said Raphael Poplock, Turner Sports’ senior vice president for strategic partnerships, business development and content acquisitions.
“Our agreement with DraftKings expands and strengthens our relationship, allowing us to further serve fans with the type of sports betting information, entertainment and quick-resolving betting options that we have pioneered.”
