The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has acquired a stake in daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator Monkey Knife Fight.
Under the arrangement, the NFLPA and its OneTeam Partners joint venture with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLPBA) and RedBird Capital Partners will become a strategic owner in the operator.
The partnership also includes a long-term licensing agreement, joint marketing commitment and player involvement across Monkey Knife Fight’s activities.
Monkey Knife Fight has an existing partnership in place with the NFLPA, serving as the association’s official daily fantasy partner.
“With this deal we have taken another large step to solidifying the role of players being collectively involved in businesses that partner with their sport,” NFLPA executive and OneTeam Partners board member, DeMaurice Smith, said.
“Monkey Knife Fight is an innovative daily fantasy provider that already has partnerships with some NFL teams and we are thrilled with the opportunity to build onto that platform for fans across sports.”
Monkey Knife Fight founder and chief executive Bill Asher added: “Monkey Knife Fight has always distinguished itself from other gaming platforms by letting fans play contests that are focused on their favourite athletes.
“Our relationship with the NFLPA will allow us to connect fans to players on a whole new level. We are looking forward to this landmark partnership.”
The acquisition comes after the NFLPA in July joined forces with both Epic Risk Management and the GVC Foundation to create a problem gambling awareness and education program for former NFL players.
The two-year agreement includes the creation the content for sessions, which will be available to all NFLPA members.