DraftKings clock at UFC location.
Source: DraftKings
DraftKings revealed Thursday it has actually gone into a licensing arrangement with combined martial arts company UFC.
The arrangement grants DraftKings the rights to be UFC’s sportsbook partner and consists of rights to accrediting a countdown clock. UFC will likewise reveal DraftKings wagering chances in its battle broadcasts.
The offer reveals DraftKings is getting where it ended in 2020, lining up collaborations with leading sports business to put itself where it thinks sports fans are. Financial regards to the collaboration were not divulged.
Ezra Kucharz, DraftKings’ chief service officer, stated the arrangement will offer DraftKings brand name control over a set up clock in arenas where UFC occasions are held.
“It’s going to allow the fighter and fans the ability to see the time left in a round in a way that they haven’t before,” Kucharz stated. “It’s a big deal because it’ll be integrated into the production technology, and fans and fighters will have the ability to see the countdown clock that people traditionally see watching at home.”
The statement follows a 2019 $1.5 billion media rights offer in between UFC and Disney-owned ESPN.
“This is a massive deal that will benefit UFC, DraftKings, and most of all the fans,” UFC President Dana White stated in a declaration. “DraftKings is the best at what they do in the betting and daily fantasy space, and unlike other sports, UFC has no off-season. The action will be non-stop for fans of UFC and DraftKings. This is the most important deal we’ve ever done to increase engagement with our fans and reach new ones.”
In this handout image supplied by UFC, (R-L) Dustin Jacoby kicks Maxim Grishin of Russia in a light heavyweight bout throughout the UFC Fight Night occasion at UFC PEAK on February 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jeff Bottari | Zuffa LLC | Getty Images
DraftKings co-founder and CEO Jason Robins stated: “Combat sports, and UFC in particular, have scaled significantly across both our sportsbook and daily fantasy verticals, evolving from a niche offering to a high-demand category that we believe will only grow further as we innovate.”
DraftKings, which revealed a combination handle MEAL Network on Wednesday, stated wagers around January’s UFC 257 occasion was the “No. 1 MMA event we ever had.” The company decreased to offer user information around the occasion, which included the fighter Conor McGregor.
DraftKings stated it saw engagement development around UFC-related bets in 2020 as more states included sports betting. Currently, 20 states, plus Washington, D.C., permit online sports wagering. Five specifies legalized sports betting however are not yet functional, and 16 states are dealing with legislation. DraftKings mobile wagering is active in 12 states.
In February, DraftKings reported 2020 fourth-quarter profits of $322 million and increased its 2021 profits forecast from the $750 million variety to as much as $1 billion.
“We are focused on the fan and going places the sports fans wants to be and how they want to engage,” Kucharz stated. “You’re going to see some new and exciting things as the relationship grows over time.”
