FanDuel Partners with United Center
Author:
Megan Butler
FanDuel Group, which is owned by Flutter Entertainment, has revealed its plans to open a brand new retail sportsbook at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The venue is home to the National Basketball Association team the Chicago Bulls and National Hockey League franchise the Chicago Blackhawks. The sportsbook is expected to span two floors.
Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel Group has announced plans to open a brand-new retail sportsbook at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. ?anikinearthwalker/Pixabay
FanDuel Will Build Non-Wagering Space Next to Main Atrium
Flutter Entertainment-owned sportsbook operator FanDuel Group has said that it plans to open a new retail sportsbook at Chicago’s United Center, which is currently the home of the National Basketball Association team the Chicago Bulls and National Hockey League franchise the Chicago Blackhawks.
The sportsbook facility is expected to span over two floors and will enable fans who come to the venue to place a wide range of bets across a host of sports events and contests. This is all, however, pending the necessary regulatory approvals.
It’s worth noting that FanDuel already has partnerships in place with both the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, the features of which include media, VIP fan experience and advertising assets. The introduction of a sportsbook at United Center would be a major expansion of said partnerships.
While regulatory approval from the Illinois Gaming Board has yet to come in, the United Center and FanDuel will in the meantime work together to construct a non-wagering space adjacent to the main atrium. This FanDuel-branded facility will allow fans to watch live sports action while attending events at the arena.
Sportsbook Will Provide Fans with Immersive Experience
Reacting to the news of FanDuel planning to open up a sportsbook in Chicago’s United Center, joint executive vice president and chief executive of the venue, Howard Pizer, evoked the operator’s leading position in the sports betting industry, claiming that the upcoming sportsbook lounge would be immersive for fans:
“As an industry leader in sports betting with a large and loyal existing customer base, FanDuel has a proven track record of innovation and excellence making them the perfect partner in developing the sportsbook at the United Center. It is designed to give sports fans a brand new, fully immersive sportsbook lounge experience unlike any other.”– Howard Pizer, Joint Executive Vice President and Chief Executive, United Center
For its part, chief executive of FanDuel, Amy Howe, called Chicago sports fans some of the most passionate worldwide, saying that she expected the physical sportsbook at United Center to become a go-to destination for Chicago sports bettors:
“Chicago sports fans are some of the most loyal and passionate in the world and plans for our sportsbook lounge inside the United Center reflect their excitement. Our team has a track record of delivering incredible retail locations for fans, and we can’t wait to make this sportsbook lounge the premier destination for Chicago sports fans and a place where they can fully experience the FanDuel brand.”– Amy Howe, Chief Executive, FanDuel Group
FanDuel and Buffalo Bills Partnered Up in January 2022
It’s been an active time for FanDuel as of late, with the sportsbook operator announcing in January 2022 that it had struck a partnership deal with the National Football League (NFL) franchise the Buffalo Bills.
The deal will see FanDuel become the official mobile sports betting partner of the Bills, acquiring the ability to use official Bills marks and logos, as well as receive access to a range of media assets such as radio and TV spots. It will also become the presenting sponsor of the Buffalo Bills-themed podcast ‘Bills by the Numbers’.
Chief marketing officer at FanDuel, Mike Raffensperger, asserted that the Buffalo Bills take pride in connecting with their fans, thereby lining up with the operator’s core principles:
“The Bills take pride in being a culture that is built on genuine connection with their fans, and we are absurdly fan-focused at FanDuel, making this a natural collaboration. As we prepare to bring America’s #1 sportsbook to New York state, we will collaborate with the Bills to bring unique content and experiences to one of the most loyal fanbases in sports.”
Meanwhile, Dan Misko, senior vice president of business development at Pegula Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Buffalo Bills, praised FanDuel’s outreach to its widespread fanbase:
“FanDuel has built a strong reputation as a premier sports betting destination for sports fans. The ways they reach people through engaging and entertaining content is innovative and aligns with how we think about connecting with our fans. We’re very excited for all this partnership will offer our valued fans throughout the state of New York as part of their gameday experience and look forward to working with FanDuel for many years to come.”
Operator Appointed First Canadian General Manager Back in October 2021
Back in October 2021, FanDuel once again reset its sights on Canada with the news that it had appointed its first-ever Canadian general manager – Dale Hooper. The role will see Hooper focus on developing and implementing the provider’s long-term strategy in Canada.
Prior to FanDuel, Hooper had spent a brief stint at the Canadian branch of multinational professional services network Deloitte. Here he focused in particular on Canada’s highly lucrative legal cannabis industry.
Hooper said it was a highly exciting and fortuitous time to be joining FanDuel, as it continues to expand in both the Canadian and US sports betting markets: “It is an incredible time to be a part of the growing sports gaming industry, and I look forward to joining Amy and the team as we bring the #1 sportsbook to Canada. I am proud to be joining the industry leader at such a momentous time.”
