Online fantasy sports company DraftKings has agreed a multi-year extension to its partnership with Major League Baseball, which has also renewed terms with four of its leading on-field apparel providers.
DraftKings will remain as the official daily fantasy game of MLB following its initial agreement in 2013. DraftKings will offer co-branded MLB daily fantasy games as well as fan experiences, including the company partnering with participating individual clubs for ballpark activations.
MLB will promote DraftKings daily fantasy baseball games across its extensive media properties, including MLB.com, online streaming service MLB.tv, the league’s official social media properties and mobile device applications. DraftKings will be an official sponsor at MLB’s ‘jewel events’, including All-Star Week and select post-season flagships.
DraftKings chief executive Jason Robins said: “Two years ago, MLB and DraftKings signed the first league deal in daily fantasy history, and we are excited to deepen that ground-breaking relationship through this new, league wide, exclusive partnership. MLB has long been at the forefront of embracing new technologies to create superior fan experiences, and DraftKings couldn’t be happier to partner to continue that tradition of innovation.”
Alongside the MLB, DraftKings is a partner of the National Hockey League and has a significant presence with a host of NBA teams, although rival brand FanDuel holds the league-wide designation with the North American basketball competition.
Meanwhile, MLB has announced the renewal of long-term licensing deals with New Era Cap Company, Nike, Majestic Athletic and ’47 Brand. New Era will continue as the official on-field cap of MLB and provide baseball caps for all teams. It began making team caps on an exclusive basis in 1993.
Nike continues as the official competition base layer of MLB and will benefit from logo visibility on players’ necks during games. The 2015 season represents 10 years since Nike – an official sponsor of the league – began supplying MLB players with performance wear.
Under a deal initially announced last month, Majestic Athletic stays on as the official uniform of MLB, while ’47 Brand will continue to provide teams with a host of non-playing apparel for players and fans.