Pechanga Joins Up with LA Clippers
Pechanga Resort & Casino, which is a tribal owned and operated physical casino location, has revealed that it has stepped into a multi-year partnership with NBA team and franchise the Los Angeles Clippers. The news arrives just ahead of California residents preparing to vote on two important tribal and commercial sports betting measures – Prop. 26 and Prop. 27.
Pechanga Resort & Casino has announced that it has stepped into a multi-year partnership with NBA team and franchise the Los Angeles Clippers, with California residents set to vote on two sports betting ballot initiatives in the near future. ©igorelick/Pixabay
Pechanga Already Partnered With Numerous Southern California Sporting Organizations
The tribal-owned and operated retail casino location Pechanga Resort & Casino has come out and announced a new multi-year partnership with NBA team and franchise the Los Angeles Clippers, with the news arriving shortly ahead of California residents preparing to vote on both a tribal and a commercial sports betting measure – two vital propositions that are sure to determine the future of sports betting in The Golden State.
The noteworthy news was revealed during the October 9th, 2022 pre-season Clippers game at the Crypto.com arena. As a result of the deal, Pechanga will hold the title of being the exclusive tribal casino partner of the Los Angeles Clippers. The specifics of the deal feature provisions such as community events, Clipper watch parties and in-game promotions, in-arena signage, digital and social media activations, broadcast integrations, and hospitality elements.
The Clippers are far from Pechanga’s first sporting partnership, however, with the tribal operator building partnerships with several other South California-based sports organizations, such as the Angels Baseball, the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Chargers, SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Lakers, and University of Southern California Athletics.
Speaking on occasion of the news, Andrew Masiel, Sr., president of the Pechanga development corporation, explained that the deal with the Clippers will allow for more unique sporting experiences for Pechanga fans:
“We’re very excited to partner with the LA Clippers and support our broader Southern California community. This partnership will also mean more opportunities for Pechanga’s guests to truly unique events and experiences in L.A. sports. Our Tribe’s roots run deep through Southern California and like us, the Clippers are committed to using their platform to make a meaningful difference.”– Andrew Masiel, Sr., President, Pechanga Development Corporation, Press Release
For their part, Clippers chief global partnerships officer Scott Sonnenberg claimed that the team was deeply excited to be joining forces together with Pechanga:
“We’re thrilled to partner with Pechanga Resort & Casino and work together to serve our fans and community. It was an honor to celebrate with them at our preseason game last night.”– Scott Sonnenberg, Chief Global Partnerships Officer, Los Angeles Clippers, Press Release
Californians Have Two Radically Different Visions of Future of Sports Betting Ahead of Them in Coming Vote
The timing of the announcement of the partnership between Pechanga Resort & Casino and the Los Angeles Clippers is somewhat fortuitous, given that it arrives mere weeks before California residents head to the polls to decide on the fate of sports wagering in California. Two opposing popular measures, Prop. 26 and Prop 27, will make an appearance on the ballot – each offering wildly different visions for what the future of legal and regulated sports betting will look like in the Golden State.
The first of the two, Prop. 26, is backed by major tribal casino operators and seeks to legalize sports betting on tribal lands and four named racetracks, implementing a 10% tax on the profits derived from said activities. This retail-only proposition contrasts with the more conventional gaming operator-supported Prop. 27, which looks to legalize online sports betting across the entire state, with profits from the vertical going towards support for the state’s out of control homeless problem.
All this might be for naught, however, seeing as, according to polling by the Berkeley Institute of Government Studies – both propositions will most likely not pass whatsoever. 31% and 27% of California’s population would vote yes on Prop. 26 and Prop 27. respectively if the election was conducted as of writing, weeks before the actual vote itself.
Caesars Partnered with NBA Team Memphis Grizzlies in August 2022
In other gambling and NBA-related news, back in August 2022, big player Caesars Entertainment revealed that it was going to be stepping into a multi-year partnership with National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Memphis Grizzlies.
In somewhat typical form, the highly popular Caesars Sportsbook brand will now serve as an official sports betting partner of the Tennessee-based basketball team. In return, Caesars will receive permission to employ official Grizzlies logos and marks in its promotional efforts, while the Caesars Sportsbook will further benefit from fixed in-game signage inside the team’s FedExForum.
Thanks to the operator’s Caesars Rewards loyalty program, Caesars Sportsbook sports betting fans who are physically present in The Volunteer State will enjoy access to additional rewards. Caesars Digital co-president Chris Holdren made reference to the Grizzlies’ strong recent performances, even revealing that Tennessee is an important market in the eyes of Caesars:
“The Memphis Grizzlies are an exciting young NBA team, and it’s great to announce this partnership ahead of what should be a special season for the franchise. Tennessee is an important state for us, filled with passionate sports fans. We embrace the chance to strengthen our connection in the Memphis area through the legacy of our nearby resort, Horseshoe Tunica. This collaboration allows us to engage more sports fans while bringing them experiences they can’t get anywhere else.”– Chris Holdren , Co-President, Caesars Digital, Press Release
MLB and MGM Extended Storied Partnership Together in July 2022
Sports betting operators and major sporting teams continue to partner up all across the United States, with casino giant BetMGM partnering together with Ohio-based Major League Baseball (MLB) team and franchise the Cincinnati Reds recently in October 2022.
A BetMGM sportsbook is now scheduled to open at the team’s Great American Ball Park, arriving conveniently in time for the state’s long-awaited launch of regulated sports betting on January 1st, 2023.
Doug Healy, chief financial officer for the Cincinnati Reds, revealed that the team was searching for the highest quality operator for the partnership, hence why it settled on BetMGM:
“With sports gaming coming to Ohio, the Reds sought to bring the highest quality operator to our ballpark for those fans who choose to participate in sports gaming. BetMGM is renowned for their expertise in entertainment and sports gaming, and we believe their brand best fits our high customer standards and will also help draw visitors to our city.”
