DraftKings is continuing to make headway in the United States sports betting market. The company and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced a multi-year partnership that will elevate the MMA organization to the next level.
The deal makes DraftKings the official sportsbook and daily fantasy sports partner of the PFL. The PFL is a rising mixed martial organization that’s gaining traction in the United States.
Background on the PFL
The PFL will debut its 2021 season on Friday night on ESPN channels and ESPN+, the channels streaming service. People in legal betting states where DraftKings is accessible will be able to wager every fight on the PFL cards moving forward.
The PFL will follow the UFC’s bubble structure for the beginning of its 2021 slate. The first six events will take place at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Anthony Pettis and Clay Collard will be the main event of the Friday night show on ESPN’s networks.
DraftKings is targeting the MMA, as they partnered with the UFC on March 4th. The UFC is the largest combat sports organization globally, so the PFL is not as significant of a deal. Nevertheless, DraftKings is continuing to separate itself from other books in the legal sports betting market.
PFL was established in 2018, and the company claims that it’s the second-best MMA promotion in the world behind the UFC.
Real-Time Fighter Data
The PFL is not as popular as the UFC, but it’s still a growing brand. One exciting part about PFL is that the company offers SmartCage Technology. This is great for bettors looking to live bet the PFL.
The technology distributes real-time fighter analytics, and these numbers are integrated into the league’s social platforms. DraftKings will be able to access these numbers to enhance the live betting experience for the PFL.
The SmartCage Technology can track punch speed, fighter tracking, kick speed, heart rate, and calorie burn. DraftKings is looking to add prop bets in the future based on these metrics.
The book could ask people to wager on the number of calories a fighter will burn or their punch speed in a contest.
PFL CEO Peter Murray said, “We’re thrilled to partner with DraftKings as we look to advance the sport by delivering a premium and unique betting and gaming experience to the millions of passionate MMA fans in the US. The PFL’s win-and-advance season format combined with our proprietary SmartCage fight data and analytics offer unmatched prop bets and gaming opportunities.”
DraftKings Enhancement
PFL is combining great technology with DraftKings’ innovative sportsbook. DraftKings is a top-tier sportsbook in the United States, and this partnership is another step forward for the book.
The DraftKings odds will be incorporated into the ESPN broadcasts, and the book will also entice bettors to wager the league through bonuses. The exposure that DraftKings is going to receive from this partnership is substantial.
Their logo will be used in the prefight show and the broadcast. It was also be plastered around the cage. The company will also get to show numerous commercials during the broadcast.
