DraftKings is upping its connections with professional sports as it signs on as the official sports betting partner of Wrigley Field. It’s another sign of American professional sports leagues’ complete capitulation to regulated sports betting.
Under the terms of the deal, DraftKings is to take the mantle of “the official sports betting and daily fantasy sports partner for the Cubs franchise.” That includes the opportunity to build a sportsbook onsite at historic Wrigley Field. (Cubs fans and easy access to regulated sports betting? That can only work out well.)
According to a statement reported on by Fox Business News, Crane Kenney, the Cubs’ president of business operations endorsed the deal saying, “DraftKings has been a great partner for a number of years and we are excited to expand this relationship as sports betting grows rapidly in Illinois. “An increasing number of sports fans want to integrate sports betting into their game experience, and we’re excited to be one of the first to engage in developing a retail sportsbook at a professional sports venue.”
On the DraftKings’ side of the fence, DraftKings co-founder Matt Kalish celebrated is latest advance into the world of professional sports saying, “This is truly a historic moment, as we are thrilled to align with the renowned Chicago Cubs franchise and iconic Wrigley Field to provide sports bettors in Chicago with a revolutionary sports betting experience. As two organizations that share a mutual passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we look forward to working in collaboration with the Cubs, an organization steeped in tradition, and making our presence felt in and around Wrigleyville.”
Seems like it wasn’t that long ago that the US professional sports leagues were swearing up and down that the sky would fall down if sports betting were brought into the regulated marketplace.