Report: NHL expected to announce partnership with FanDuel for fantasy and sports betting
The National Hockey League is on the verge of staking its claim in the world of fantasy and sports betting.
It was reported on Friday that the NHL is entering a partnership with FanDuel for both fantasy and sports betting, according to Eric Engels of Sportsnet. Engels also explained that Gary Bettman is expected to make it official at a press conference on Monday and will be joined by the owner of the New Jersey Devils.
This report comes within the same week that the league announced it’s partnership with MGM, making them the NHL’s first sports betting partner. It should be noted that the NHL is not getting a cut of the gambling profits from MGM.
The NHL is following closely in the steps of the National Basketball Association, as the NBA is also currently partnered with both MGM and FanDuel.
The NBA’s partnership with FanDuel was announced in 2014 when the two companies reached a four-year agreement. In the deal, the NBA also agreed to invest in FanDuel. However, it was reported earlier this year that the league was talking about divesting their ownership in the company, according to Darren Rovell and David Purdum of ESPN. Additionally, it was reported that the two would continue being “close commercial partners.”
FanDuel was founded in 2009 and currently has over 6 million registered users. Its services are available to those in both Canada and the United States of America, but some exclusions and restrictions do apply.
More clarity on the framework of the NHL’s partnership with FanDuel should be disclosed at Gary Bettman’s press conference in New Jersey on Monday.
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