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ESPN and DraftKings Enter Multi-Year Agreement
Exclusive deal names DraftKings the Official Sportsbook and Odds Provider of ESPN, Integrating innovative fan experiences across ESPN Platforms including ESPN DTC Streaming Service
ESPN and DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) ("DraftKings") today announced an agreement, naming DraftKings the exclusive Official Sportsbook and Odds Provider of ESPN, effective December 1, 2025. This agreement, which unites two of the most iconic brands in sports, will deliver fans premium sports betting content and experiences.
Beginning in December 2025, DraftKings entertainment products will be exclusively integrated across ESPN's ecosystem with a full rollout expected in 2026. Fans will be able to enjoy betting features and access to offerings including DraftKings' sportsbook, daily fantasy, and DraftKings Pick6 at launch.
Together, DraftKings and ESPN will collaborate to advance their shared commitment to responsible gaming, by dedicating prominent assets to educate, raise customer awareness and promote responsible play through campaigns and integrations.
"Our betting approach has focused on offering an integrated experience within our products," said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN. "Working with DraftKings, a leader in the space, will allow us to build upon that foundation, continue to super-serve passionate sports fans and grow our ESPN direct-to-consumer business. We are excited about this new collaboration with DraftKings."
DraftKings will also play a major role across ESPN's digital platforms. DraftKings will power the betting tab within the ESPN app and their customers will receive special promotions for ESPN Unlimited, ESPN's newly launched direct-to-consumer product.
"ESPN's unmatched visibility across the world of sports make this collaboration a natural fit," said Jason Robins, CEO and Co-Founder of DraftKings. "As an innovative leader in digital sports entertainment, DraftKings is uniquely positioned to integrate our technology and products with ESPN's iconic brand and storytelling power. Together, we're delivering a seamless, engaging, and responsible experience that elevates how fans connect with live sports."
DraftKings operates in 28 states and in Washington D.C. and Ontario, Canada, and has more than 10 million customers across its products, positioning this deal to lead in innovation, engagement and fan access. This expands ESPN's ability to be the go-to platform for sports fans with access to DraftKings' products.
ESPN BET will shift to a sports betting content brand with DraftKings Sportsbook integrations, anchored by ESPN's betting show, ESPN BET Live, which currently airs weekdays at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and dedicated social and digital channels.
All of ESPN. All in One Place.
ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans within the ESPN App. Designed to give fans more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, the ESPN App provides a unique viewing experience that includes integrated game stats, multiview options, a synchronized two-screen feature, a vertical video feature called Verts and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as ESPN BET information, ESPN Fantasy sports, commerce, and more. These new features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com.
About DraftKings:
DraftKings Inc. is a digital sports entertainment and gaming company created to be the Ultimate Host and fuel the competitive spirit of sports fans with products that range across daily fantasy, regulated gaming and digital media. The company is headquartered in Boston and was launched in 2012 by Jason Robins, Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman. DraftKings' mission is to make life more exciting by responsibly creating the world's favorite real-money games and betting experiences. DraftKings Sportsbook is live with mobile and/or retail sports betting operations pursuant to regulations in 28 states, Washington, D.C. and in Ontario, Canada. The Company operates iGaming pursuant to regulations in five states and in Ontario, Canada under its DraftKings brand and pursuant to regulations in four states and in Ontario, Canada, under its Golden Nugget Online Gaming brand. DraftKings also owns Jackpocket, the leading digital lottery courier app in the United States. DraftKings' daily fantasy sports product is available in 44 states, the District of Columbia and certain Canadian provinces. DraftKings is both an official sports betting and daily fantasy partner of the NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, WNBA and UFC, as well as an official daily fantasy partner of NASCAR, an official sports betting partner of the NBA and an authorized gaming operator of MLB. In addition, DraftKings owns and operates DraftKings Network a multi-platform content ecosystem. DraftKings is committed to being a responsible steward of this new era in real-money gaming by developing and promoting educational information and tools to help all players enjoy our games responsibly.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "estimates," "projected," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "would," "should," "future," "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside DraftKings' and/or ESPN's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see DraftKings' or The Walt Disney Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as appropriate. None of DraftKings, ESPN, or The Walt Disney Company undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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