Carolina Panthers Deal With FanDuel Good for Both Sides
FanDuel Hooks Up With Second Major Partner
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers announced a multi-year partnership deal with FanDuel Sportsbook. FanDuel will become the Panthers’ official sports betting partner, and the two will collaborate on various social and digital media projects.
For the Panthers, the deal includes a presence on FanDuel social media channels. FanDuel will receive digital signs at Panthers home games in Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers deal with FanDuel should benefit both parties.
“We are thrilled to welcome FanDuel as an Official Sports Betting Partner,” said Kristi Coleman, Carolina Panthers president, in a statement.
“As we look ahead to the 2024 season, we’re excited about the opportunities this partnership presents to deliver unique and engaging experiences to our fans while they are in North Carolina.”
Not to be upstaged, FanDuel was equally as gracious towards the Panthers in its prepared statement. The complimentary words for each other were likely ironed out just after the Carolina Panthers deal with FanDuel was finalized.
“Bringing FanDuel to sports fans across North Carolina is an important moment for our business, and we are thrilled to be able to work with the Carolina Panthers to introduce their fanbase to America’s No.1 Sportsbook,” said Mike Raffensperger, Chief Commercial Officer, FanDuel.
“We look forward to supporting the team next season and to engaging the passionate sports fans across North Carolina with our product.”
North Carolina Requires Sportsbook Partners
One of the unique aspects of legalized sports betting in North Carolina is the partnership clause. Each licensed sportsbook is required to partner with a professional sports team or venue. FanDuel had already partnered with the PGA Tour.
However, the opportunity to join forces with an NFL team may have been too much to pass up. Carolina fans will see ads promoting FanDuel NFL odds and other FanDuel betting material. FanDuel followers will see social media posts for the Panthers. That’s one of the benefits of the Carolina Panthers deal with FanDuel.
FanDuel has been up and running in North Carolina since March 1. Sportsbooks can only sign up players for new accounts until March 11, the date online wagering will go live in the state.
There is one exception, however, as Caesars has been accepting in-person sports bets on tribal lands. Caesars will go online on March 11 due to its existing relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Neither of the state’s professional soccer teams, Charlotte FC or the NWSL’s NC Courage, have sportsbook partners. North Wilkesboro Speedway, which hosts NASCAR events, also does not have a partner. Additional sportsbooks wanting to enter the state will have little choice but to look to those three.
In total, eight sportsbook will be going live online March 11, as North Carolina residents start following the scores and odds heading into the NCAA Tournament. They are Bet365; BetMGM; DraftKings; ESPN Bet; Fanatics;
FanDuel; Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise (Caesars for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians); and Underdog. }
This is Underdog’s first venture as an online sportsbook. The company does have sportsbook licenses in other states but has not gone live.
For Gambling news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
