Daily fantasy sports operator DraftKings has added two more California teams to its growing list of partnerships in the NBA. Shortly after announcing a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, DraftKings has struck separate deals with the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors. The deal with DraftKings is the first venture of the Vivek Ranadive-owned Kings into the world of daily fantasy sports whereas the partnership with the Warriors is the second of its kind for the team after striking a similar arrangement with PlayMLF back in November 2014.
As part of the operator’s partnership with the Sacramento Kings, DraftKings will enjoy sponsorship treatment on a number of the team’s brand platforms, including Kings.com’s Blog Central, game previews and postgame recaps. The deal also includes DraftKings info-graphics being prominently featured on the Kings’ digital network, as well as a commercial spot on the team’s KHTK Sports 1140 AM broadcast and integration of DraftKings signage at the Sleep Train Arena and the team’s dedicated website, Kings.com.
“DraftKings provides an interactive and captivating platform for consumers that enhances a fan’s ability to become involved in the sports world,” Kings President Chris Granger said in a statement. “As we approach the next era of fan engagement, in which fantasy sport represents an area of tremendous potential, we believe this partnership is the perfect opportunity for us to break barriers and transform the fan experience.”
Not content with just signing up two California teams (the Clippers and the Kings), DraftKings went ahead and scored the signature of a third team from the state, namely the Golden State Warriors. Unlike its sponsorship set up with the Kings, DraftKings’ deal with the Warriors involves an official sponsor title for the fantasy sports site on the team’s Slate Night events, which will feature the team wearing special dark uniforms during the game. As such, the Warriors’ next Slate Night will be advertised as “presented by DraftKings.” In addition, the two sides have also agreed to engage in cross-promotional sales and marketing endeavors designed to promote each other.
“As we continue to look for ways to further engage our fans, partnering with fantasy sports leaders like DraftKings makes perfect sense,” Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Rick Welts said after announcing the deal. “We are excited to partner with a well-respected and innovative fantasy sports leader and be one of the first teams in the NBA to officially partner with DraftKings.”
With the addition of the Kings and the Warriors into DraftKings’ growing list of NBA partners, the two teams join the Clippers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Houston Rockets, and the Boston Celtics as partners of the growing fantasy sports site.
