DraftKings Adds Actual Sports With EuroLeague Basketball Deal

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator DraftKings has claimed a market-first after expanding its partnership with Euroleague Basketball to begin live-streaming events to players in North America.

Customers in the region will be able to view coverage of Euroleague basketball games via the DraftKings mobile application, switching between the action and daily fantasy sports contests.

Euroleague Basketball organises and runs various continental club competitions in Europe, including its showpiece Euroleague tournament.

DraftKings said the streaming service should be available to players in the US and Canada from the first quarter of next year, with customers able to stream one free game per week or watch multiple games by playing in a $3 (€2.60) or above DraftKings fantasy sports contest.

In addition, DraftKings plans to create a variety of original content to support the new Euroleague DFS product.

“Our goal is to become the one-stop destination and mobile companion for sports fans globally,” DraftKings co-founder and chief executive Jason Robins said.

“Adding a live streaming component allows us to provide the best and most seamless product for our customers; this is what the future of sports looks like.”

Jordi Bertomeu, president and chief executive of EuroLeague Basketball, added: “Combining fantasy with live-streamed games is a perfect match, not only for the countless passionate Euroleague fans we have already, but for the many new ones who will now discover our unique brand of basketball through DraftKings.”

DraftKings’ Euroleague fantasy contests will be made available on a global basis for the first time from November 14.