NBC is joining the continuously expanding sports wagering industry, announcing a multi-year partnership with PointsBet.
The Australian online bookmaker becomes the official sports betting partner of NBC Sports through a five-year deal, reportedly worth close to half a billion dollars. With their substantial catalog of sporting events, NBC Sports will provide PointsBet with year-round multi-platform media and marketing opportunities. The partnership encompasses all NBC Sports brands, including NBCSN, regional sports networks, the Golf Channel as well as their digital platforms.
“We are excited to begin this partnership with PointsBet, which will deliver unmatched sports betting engagement opportunities across multiple platforms,” said David Preschlack, President, NBC Sports Regional Networks, and Executive Vice President, Content Strategy, NBC Sports Group. “For NBCUniversal and PointsBet, this agreement provides considerable opportunities in the fast-growing sports betting marketplace, which is unique to this extensive and robust, multi-year arrangement. Looking ahead, we’re also excited about the significant activation opportunities that will come to fruition as sports betting continues to proliferate across the U.S.”
Of those considerable opportunities is the ability for NBC to acquire a significant stake in PointsBet. The initial deal will see NBC take a 4.99% investment in PointsBet with the option of obtaining up to 25% of the bookmaker.
NBC becomes the latest network to partner with a betting operator. Earlier this year, CBS Sports reached a deal with William Hill, while FOX is partnered with the Stars Group.
Joining forces allows PointsBet to utilize NBC’s already extensive customer base in which the betting operator will become the odds, props and trends provider for all NBC Sports brands.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
