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DraftKings, Red Sox Announce Daily Fantasy Sports Partnership

Lou Monaco for Bookies.com

Lou Monaco  | 3 mins

DraftKings, Red Sox Announce Daily Fantasy Sports Partnership

As sports betting legislation takes the summer off in Massachusetts, one company signed a daily fantasy sports deal with a historic franchise that puts it in place when sports betting does launch in the state.

Boston-based DraftKings announced a partnership agreement Wednesday to be the official daily fantasy sports provider of the Boston Red Sox.

It comes as Massachusetts is considering legalizing sports betting. The state House overwhelmingly approved legislation last week and it has advanced for Senate consideration. It is unclear when the Senate will take up its own bill or the one from the House.

“We are thrilled to team up with a historic franchise like the Red Sox and bring DraftKings closer to this passionate fanbase, which is even more special given our hometown Boston roots,” Ezra Kucharz, chief business officer of DraftKings, said in a news release. “As a Boston-born company, we are well-acquainted with the devotion of Boston sports fans, and we believe the engagement possibilities of this integration are only just beginning.”

The agreement with the MLB team is the third DraftKings sponsorship deal in New England for DraftKings. Partnerships with the New England Patriots of the NFL and Boston Celtics of the NBA were previously in place.

“Since 2015, we have worked closely with DraftKings and are pleased to now have this Boston-based company on board as our official daily fantasy sports partner,” Troup Parkinson, Red Sox executive vice president of partnerships, said in the release. “With millions participating in the world of fantasy sports, this partnership positions us well to grow our game and engage with our fans on a trusted platform. We look forward to deepening our partnership in the years ahead.”

The DraftKings brand will be displayed throughout Fenway Park, in addition to its current sign above the iconic Green Monster in left field, the release said. Additionally, DraftKings will have field level home plate signs and LED branding along the first and third baseline for one inning at each regular season home game.

DraftKings will be also be promoted as the official daily fantasy partner of the Red Sox Foundation through emails, social media posts, and the Red Sox Foundation website, according to the release. The company will also have title sponsorship of the 50-50 raffle for all home games.

Sports Betting Status in the Bay State

On July 22, the Massachusetts state House passed a sports betting bill by a vote of 156-3 and moved it to the Senate.

The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies met in June and discussed 19 different gaming bills sponsored by more than a dozen lawmakers before coming to an agreement.

The Senate will likely consider the House sports betting bill and its own — S.269 — after a summer break. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Eric Lesser (D – Hampden, Hampshire District), is combined with six other sports betting bills and was forwarded to the state Senate Ways and Means Committee on July 21.

The legislature in Massachusetts meets in two-year blocks starting each odd year. This session runs through Dec. 31.

About the Author

Lou Monaco for Bookies.com
Lou Monaco
Lou Monaco had been East Coast Scene columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas since June 2019, covering the East Coast sportsbook scene with emphasis on NJ and PA.