DraftKings has become the official MLB Authorized Gaming Operator, after the league embarked on a campaign to woo potential partners. The partnership gives the fantasy and retail sportsbook exclusive rights to access official league data and use league logos on its betting products and services. The press release regarding the partnership did not give any details about the length of the deal or how much money changed hands.
“DraftKings is proud to be designated as a Major League Baseball Authorized Gaming Operator,” said chief business officer at DraftKings, Ezra Kucharz. “This deal speaks to the commitment we have to our customers and sports leagues alike while providing the safest and most entertaining American-made sportsbook. As a result of this agreement, our customers will experience enhanced live wagering offerings for all MLB games.”
This is not the first deal that MLB and DraftKings have signed. In 2015, the betting group became MLB’s Official Daily Fantasy Partner. In the same year, DraftKings signed deals with 27 individual MLB teams – nearly all of them, bar 2 teams who played in states where the company didn’t operate.
Last year, just before the Supreme Court made its iconic ruling overturning a nationwide sports betting ban, MLB sold its equity stakes in DraftKings.
The group issued a statement in that regard, saying:
“Major League Baseball was the first professional league to invest in DraftKings and their partnership over the last five years has been instrumental to our growth and success. Our ties to MLB are as strong as they have ever been. As two organizations that place fans at the core of their business, DraftKings and Major League Baseball will be working closely together going forward so baseball fans around the world continue to have the most engaging experience possible with the sport they love.”
