DraftKings is about to become an even bigger player in the sports betting content space. Announced this morning, the company has acquired VSiN.
The Vegas Sports Information Network, which launched in 2017 under the guidance of Brian Musburger, arrived on the sports betting scene by placing a heavy focus on delivering trusted sports betting information for gambling enthusiasts across different platforms. They struck a deal with the South Point Casino to serve as their home base (Circa has also become a key partner for where VSiN produces content) and established multiple partnerships to showcase their talent and content on radio, television, and digital platforms. Among those partnerships included Comcast Xfinity, Sling TV, fuboTV, Roku, Rogers’ Sportsnet, MSG Networks, Marquee Sports Network, iHeartradio, and SiriusXM. The company no longer broadcasts on SiriusXM and is planning to expand its footprint in the sports radio space in the near future.
The growing reach of VSiN combined with its strong Las Vegas presence made the company appealing to DraftKings, who will now look to use the company’s talent and content to reach sports gamblers thru its mobile sports betting app. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but DraftKings is said to have more than enough cash on hand to cover the cost. The company finished 2020 with $1.8 billion in cash on its balance sheet, and announced earlier this month that they’d be raising another $1 billion through convertible notes. The company raised its Fiscal 2021 revenue expectations in February from $900 million to $1 billion, surpassing their initial projection of $750 million to $850 million.
“This is a big jump-start for our content capabilities,” said Matt Kalish, the president of DraftKings, North America. “There’s endless demand for sports betting content these days, and we’ve started to dabble in that a little bit, through our relationship providing odds to Turner, or odds overlays in UFC broadcasts. There’s more and more demand for this type of content and VSiN really gives us that capability to get to the next level.”
Kalish said VSiN will retain its name and editorial independence as part of the agreement. The Las Vegas-based company will be asked by DraftKings to create content to help the company acquire more customers and increase media partnerships. DraftKings will also make their odds available to VSiN for use during broadcasts. VSiN will still have the ability to use odds from different sportsbooks during programming despite having a new owner.
VSiN is home for a number of familiar on-air talent including Michael Lombardi and Brent Musburger. The company’s morning show ‘Follow The Money‘ hosted by Mitch Moss and Pauly Howard has also gained traction thru television partnerships. The executive team of Brian Musburger, Stephan Shelanski, and Bill Adee is expected to remain intact. Dan Mason will give up his position as Chairman but remain involved with the company in a strategic advisory role. SeventySix Capital’s Wayne Kimmel dove deeper into VSiN’s growth and the DraftKings merger with Mason. To watch the video click here.
