Louisiana State University (LSU) Athletics has entered into an official sportsbook partnership with Caesars Entertainment, becoming the most significant collegiate sports team to strike a sportsbook deal.
As part of the multi-year agreement (enabled by LSU’s third party multi-media rights holder Playfly Sports), Caesars will receive marketing and sponsorship opportunities in connection with LSU such as naming rights to the Skyline Club at Tiger Stadium, signage throughout the stadium and an enhanced presence on the LSU sports mobile app.
Caesars will also create an annual scholarship fund to support Louisiana-resident LSU students.
LSU athletics director Scott Woodward said: “LSU has always taken pride in providing fans with unique, innovative, and world-class experiences, and our new partnership with Caesars Entertainment will do just that.
“We share a clear vision of how athletics and entertainment can come together to enhance the fan experience, and we are excited to join with Caesars to make that vision a reality.”
The LSU deal represents Caesars’ latest foray into the state of Louisiana. The operator struck a major deal with the New Orleans Saints earlier this year which saw them obtain the naming rights to the Louisiana Superdome.
The deal is not the first between an operator and a college sports team. PointsBet became the first operator to partner with a Power Five collegiate sports team after, signing a deal with the University of Colorado Buffaloes last year. However, Caesars noted that it was the first such deal involving a “perennial powerhouse”. LSU won the College Football Playoff in 2019, having also won national championships in 1958, 2003 and 2007.
“As a proud partner of LSU Athletics, we are focused on creating innovative partnerships to engage sponsors and unlock meaningful new revenue sources,” added Playfly founder and CEO Michael Schreiber.
“Given the interest in and access to gaming, we are excited to responsibly bring Caesars Sportsbook and LSU together.”