Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee has become a prominent voice in sports media. He had a short period of time working for Barstool Sports before creating Pat McAfee Inc.
FanDuel has worked with McAfee before but recently announced a new multi-year partnership. FanDuel has said this is a first-of-its-kind partnership with a media personality and a legal sportsbook.
“FanDuel has been an amazing partner of ours for the past year, and I’ve loved everything I’ve done with them whether it was helping launch mobile sports betting here in Indiana or the Spread The Love promotions,” said McAfee. “Together, we will take the fan experience to new heights. I’m pumped for what the future brings.”
What This Means
This partnership is going to include FanDuel content and advertising on all of Pat McAfee’s platforms. Pat McAfee Inc.’s social media content, podcasts, and “The Pat McAfee Show” will all include FanDuel content.
FanDuel will even begin to create special odds and promotions that will be exclusive to Pat McAfee’s customers.
The deal also works the other way around. FanDuel platforms, such as horse racing network and book TVG, will have content from Pat McAfee.
“Pat McAfee is a star in the sports media world,” said Matt King, chief executive officer of FanDuel Group. “Our ability to evolve how we work together from a very successful affiliate relationship into a full-blown media partnership is something ground-breaking and incredibly exciting for McAfee fans and sports fans nationwide.”
FanDuel will begin to offer the “Pat McAfee Show” on several different applications. He will also begin to grow his network, even add additional personalities and networks in his company.
“With the energy that Pat and his team bring, combined with his positive and uplifting approach to entertainment, I can’t think of anyone better to be the face of our brand and content network,” said Adam Kaplan, vice president of digital content for FanDuel Group.
Who Else Could Be Next
Several professional sports teams, such as the Denver Broncos, have partnered with legal sportsbooks. Now, these companies have also moved on to media personalities.
FanDuel has said that this is a one-of-a-kind partnership, but it’s doubtful it will be for long. With sports media continuing to grow, there are several personalities that are very popular among sports fans.
The former employer of McAfee, Barstool Sports, has had a lot to do with this. They have some of the largest sports media figures in the game.
More and more people are trying to create similar platforms and grow their following. Many former players in the NBA, MLB, NFL, etc. have had success in media after retirement.
This McAfee deal is only the beginning for legal sportsbooks like FanDuel. They will continue to add partnerships and create deals with people who have a big influence on fans.
With the hope that sports are coming back, legal sportsbooks are prepared to ramp up business with several new partnerships and strategies made during the coronavirus.