Daily fantasy and sportsbook operator, FanDuel, has entered into a multi-year partnership with Turner Sports, designating the operator as the exclusive sportsbook partner for National Basketball Association (NBA) programming throughout the Turner portfolio, including Bleacher Report.
The deal grants FanDuel access to exclusive integrations within NBA content, such as TNT live telecasts and Bleacher Report digital channels, including its app. As the exclusive operator associated with Turner’s NBA content, FanDuel’s sportsbook will give basketball viewers sports betting insight and analysis integrated into the NBA viewing experience.
Yesterday, DraftKings signed a similar deal with the broadcaster, under which it will serve as the exclusive sportsbook and DFS partner for its other assets, excluding NBA content. DraftKings’ deal will see its sports betting and DFS information integrated into Turner Sports telecasts and Bleacher Report digital channels.
FanDuel’s partnership with Turner Sports began during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, in which the operator’s sportsbook odds were integrated during TNT’s NBA Studio show, in addition to promotional integrations during live NBA games and across Bleacher Report channels.
The FanDuel Sportsbook Odds Board debuted on Inside The NBA, showing discussion related to the odds and betting percentages for an NBA game, and FanDuel was also the sponsor for Bleacher Report’s betting show, Group Chat.
“Turner Sports is a leader in the media industry and, together, we’re bringing viewership to the next level by offering exclusive sports betting content that’s directly integrated into their NBA programming,’ FanDuel chief marketing officer Mike Raffensperger said.
“We’ll be incorporating FanDuel Sportsbook odds and analysis into Turner Sport’s live broadcasts and Bleacher Report’s digital content, offering a new, enhanced, experience for NBA fans.”
Executive vice president, sports partnerships and branded content at Turner Sports Will Funk added: “NBA fans across TNT and Bleacher Report are responding well to sports betting content.”
“We’ve already seen this with the TV and digital elements we’ve designed with FanDuel this past season and are excited to expand our partnership. Our collective goal is to grow NBA audience via engaging FanDuel interactive gaming experiences integrated across Turner Sports’ platforms.”
FanDuel recently launched its mobile sportsbook in Iowa, through a partnership with Boyd Gaming’s Diamond Jo properties in Worth and Dubuque, as well as having its Tennessee licence provisionally approved in September.
FanDuel owner, Flutter Entertainment, extended its contract with Scientific Games in September, as it prepares to migrate FanDuel onto its OpenSports platform, which currently powers its Paddy Power and Betfair sportsbooks.