Sports betting and fantasy sports company DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) today announced a new agreement with professional wrestling giant World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE:WWE). The deal makes DraftKings the official gaming partner of WWE, focusing on its free-to-play pool games.
DraftKings will gain exclusive rights to WWE media assets and brand placement at WWE pay-per-view events. WWE event fans and DraftKings customers will both be able to participate in various integrated, free-to-play contests. There will also be related products and digital promotion and program integration, the companies said in a joint statement.
The online free-gaming pools will debut at the upcoming WrestleMania event on April 10 and April 11 in Tampa Bay.
Agreement Immerses WWE Fans in Sports Gaming
BOSTON & STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– DraftKings (Nasdaq: DKNG) and WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that DraftKings will become an Official Gaming Partner of WWE, subject to regulatory approval in all applicable jurisdictions. The collaboration centers on DraftKings’ popular free-to-play pools product and will launch with an inaugural free-to-play pool at WWE’s two-night pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania, on April 10 and 11.
“As a cultural icon and incredible sports and entertainment company, we are thrilled to join forces with WWE and introduce its devoted fanbase to the DraftKings brand,” said Ezra Kucharz, Chief Business Officer at DraftKings. “This relationship helps fuel the engagement and drama of WWE’s signature matchups and storylines as audiences enjoy the second-screen experiences our products provide.”
Pursuant to the agreement with WWE, DraftKings will receive an exclusive license to media assets and in-game branding for WWE pay-per-view events. Additionally, both WWE fans and DraftKings customers will be able to participate in a number of integrated, free-to-play pools contests and products and experience digital promotion and program integration.
“We’re excited to enter this new agreement that makes DraftKings WWE’s first-ever free to play gaming partner,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “This collaboration marks a significant step in deepening engagement with our passionate fans and will provide DraftKings the opportunity to leverage the massive appeal and reach of the WWE brand.”
WrestleMania will take place Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, and stream live exclusively on Peacock at 8 pm ET in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
More information about DraftKings is available at www.draftkings.com. DraftKings’ line of products are available via iOS and Android here.