DraftKings and Meadowlark Media announced that they have reached a multiyear renewal of their content distribution, monetization and sponsorship agreement. Under the terms of the deal, both companies will continue distributing The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and other programs within the Le Batard & Friends Network, some of which include South Beach Sessions, Nothing Personal with David Samson, Mystery Crate and a forthcoming football show. All of these programs will be distributed across several multimedia platforms, such as the DraftKings Network, FAST channels, HBO Max and Peacock. Le Batard revealed the news in a segment on his show Wednesday morning, during which he offered his profound thanks and gratitude towards both DraftKings and the audience.
“I cannot thank you enough for your value because your value and your loyalty is the reason we’ve been able to do everything that we have done so that DraftKings may support this thing that belches and stumbles around, and they have supported us as the best partner that we’ve ever had, and it’s not just because of the money,” Le Batard said. “It’s because they let us, in a really fractured media time, have real freedom and independence in a way that nobody in this business have.”
Le Batard conveyed how DraftKings has permitted his show to do what it wants while funding and supporting it, and he expressed that they have learned so much from working together under the partnership that began in 2021. In addition, Le Batard has spoken on numerous occasions about the changing state of sports media and recognizes the singular nature of this agreement and how it permits the media company to operate autonomously with its backing.
“It’s because no matter the turbulence, the audience comes with us,” Le Batard said. “It’s a hard and rare thing, man. Like [Tony] Reali’s got it, but in the history of this business, there ain’t a lot of people that take the audience with them. [Skip] Bayless took a little bit of it, but not because the audience like really knows – no, these are the people I do this with, and I do it three hours a day. That’s what DraftKings is paying for.”
Le Batard’s program is in the midst of celebrating its 20th year on the air and has operated with numerous entities, including 790 The Ticket, ESPN Radio and now Meadowlark Media. The latter company was founded in 2021 by Le Batard and former ESPN president John Skipper, who recently departed his managerial role with the brand. Skipper continues to appear on episodes of The Sporting Class podcast with Pablo Torre and David Samson where they discuss the business behind sports and media. Le Batard articulated the value behind having loyal consumers who have tuned in and continue to support the on-air product, permitting the program to continue moving forward and keep people both informed and entertained.
“That’s the best symbiotic marriage you can have with your audience – when the audience funds it that clearly and the sponsor understands it and gives the audience and the show the freedom it needs to actually partner,” Le Batard said. “I mean, so blessed – so blessed to be able to have the greatest gift, the big one, which is you get to keep doing it.”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
