DraftKings NFT Marketplace Is On Its Way
Major US sportsbook operator DraftKings is entering the increasingly popular world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with the launch of DraftKings Marketplace, a platform for its customers to buy and sell these tokens via their existing accounts. The provider will be partnering together with NFT platform Autograph for the launch.
Sportsbook provider DraftKings is stepping into the NFT market with the launch of DraftKings Marketplace, a platform for its customers to buy and sell tokens through their existing accounts.©madartzgraphics/Pixabay
First Selection of NFT Items Will Be “Pre-Season Access”
Major US sportsbook provider DraftKings has revealed the incoming launch of DraftKings Marketplace — the operator’s first-ever non-fungible tokens (NFTs) marketplace which will allow its customers to buy and sell the tokens through their current DraftKings accounts.
The launch will see the company partner together with NFT platform Autograph, cementing a deal in which DraftKings will become the exclusive dealer of Autograph’s NFT content. Fans can expect to take advantage of the “Pre Season Access” collection, which will be part of the first wave of items available for purchase with NFTs, showcasing Autograph’s NFT commitment to legendary athletes.
Chief executive and founder of Autograph Dillon Rosenblatt sees much potential in the world of NFTs, citing them as a chance to provide users with high-quality and personalized content:
“As the world becomes more comfortable with digital ownership and collection, we see an incredible opportunity to bring users high-quality and personalized content from their favorite athletes, artists and franchises. NFTs are the perfect medium to connect users to both the things they love and those who share those interests, and we want to leverage today’s incredible partnerships to provide continued value to our community.”– Dillon Rosenblatt , Chief Executive and Founder, Autograph
DraftKings Co-Founder Sees NFTs as a Tech and Cultural Phenomenon
In DraftKings’ announcement of its soon to be launched NFT marketplace, co-founder and president Matt Kalish revealed how he sees the nascent digital currency as reinventing the collectibles industry while providing its customers with an accessible experience:
“The NFT boom has reinvented the collectibles industry and driven excitement to early-adopting audiences worldwide—including the DraftKings community. DraftKings Marketplace will sit at the center of this technological and cultural phenomenon, providing our immense existing customer base with an easily accessible experience that rivals all legacy marketplaces. This initial vision in collaboration with Autograph, and its coveted collection of official digital collectibles, is a vital first step as we enter the emergent NFT market.”– Matt Kalish , Co-founder and President, DraftKings
Kalish closed off his statement by reiterating DraftKings’ commitment to creating beloved content for its millions of collectors:
“We aim to usher in this new era by introducing millions of collectors to this evolving space while providing beloved content through an intuitive interface built to win over the long term.”
Sportsbook Operator Recently Expanded Deals with MLB and PGA
DraftKings’ expanding content offerings do not, however end at NFTs, with the sportsbook provider recently broadening its deal with the MLB, the United States’ Major League Baseball, which will feature streaming content from the league. It simultaneously secured betting partnerships with a number of PGA Tour golf events.
DraftKings’ expansion with the MLB will center around Bet and Watch, a new live streaming service enabling viewers with MLB.com and DraftKings accounts to enjoy free MLB games through the DraftKings app. There are also additional plans to offer sports betting-themed experiences, which will likely be available on the MLB.TV platform.
Matt Kalish evoked the importance of the MLB in rebirthing the consistently-popular fantasy sports industry, while noting the constantly shifting nature of the sports betting landscape:
“In 2012, MLB helped ignite the daily fantasy industry by becoming our first-ever league partner, and that same foresight has persisted over the years as our organizations look to disrupt and innovate further through this expansion. As we adapt and scale integrations within the constantly evolving sports landscape, MLB and DraftKings will again shape the future of fan engagement in baseball and beyond.”
DraftKings Will Provide Suites as Part of PGA Partnership
DraftKings also secured an exclusive partnership with the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, more commonly known as the PGA, around the same time as its expansion with the MLB in July 2021.
The agreement will see DraftKings become the first official betting operator of the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and The Northern Trust PGA Tour golf events. In return, the operator will receive hospitality suites at both tournaments, with the facility and both events to feature areas open to the public.
DraftKings chief business officer Ezra Kucharz had the following to share concerning the brand’s PGA partnership:
“DraftKings is proud to evolve and expand our presence into the golf space by continuing to build upon the existing relationship with the PGA Tour. We look forward to providing fans an unparalleled experience at Liberty National and TPC Southwind.”
Sports Betting Platform Sportradar Partnered With Jets & Ravens
In similar news, the US branch of popular Swiss-based sports betting platform Sportradar signed a landmark deal with two major NFL franchises in May 2021 — the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens.
Sportradar will provide its world-renowned sports betting marketing technology to the two legacy football teams, thereby helping them improve and refine their sponsorship and affiliate programs.
The teams’ sponsor performance should soon be enhanced to the maximum as a result of Sportradar’s solutions, with potential new avenues for their wagering partners in the US sports betting market also opening up.
Barstool Sportsbook Continues US Growth with Indiana Approval
An increasingly major player in the sportsbook world is undeniably Barstool Sportsbook, whose highly popular Barstool Sportsbook mobile application continues its takeover of the nation following recent approval from the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC).
The approval allowed Barstool to launch mobile gaming offerings in the Hoosier State via its application, with parent company Penn National Gaming’s president and chief executive Jay Snowden welcoming the approval ahead of the NBA playoffs season:
“We are thrilled to be launching our online Barstool Sportsbook in Indiana at the start of the NBA’s new playoff format.”
