We have seen plenty of activity between sports betting concerns and professional sports franchises since PASPA was overturned, paving the way for U.S. licensed sportsbooks to operate in those states that have passed legislation for sports betting within their boundaries. And the latest example is the four-year deal between Bally’s Corporation and the Nashville Predators.
Bally’s will become the Official Sports Betting Partner and the Official Free-to-Play Partner of the Predators and their home, Bridgestone Arena. This will allow the Predators access to Bally’s intellectual property rights while Bally’s will get to display the Predators team logo as well as other trademarked and copyrighted content.
Predators Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Chris Junghans stated, “From the moment sports betting launched in Tennessee, we’ve wanted to align with dynamic companies that will help us bring the best fans in sports even closer to the game we all love. We’ve found just that with Bally’s Corporation and Bally Bet, who we’re thrilled to welcome to the pro sports landscape in our state for the first time. Bally’s unique approach to content integration and brand alignment through their broadcast partnerships is going to be a game-changer. We are excited to be one of the first teams to partner with Bally on this unique and exciting endeavor.”
Bally’s will launch its proprietary Smash Selector which is an interactive, free-to-play, quiz game that asks fans five questions before Predators games. Winners will be eligible for prizes and there will also be a grand prize at the end of the year awarded to the Preds fan with the highest score. This is certain to keep fans engaged throughout the season and the Bally’s name at the fore.
Adi Dhandhania, Chief Operating Officer of Bally Interactive, the company’s digital division that will engage with the Predators fanbase via an app on the iOS and Android format, stated, “The Nashville Predators occupy a special place in sports fans’ hearts across Tennessee and their Bridgestone Arena provides a unique and electric atmosphere. It will be a great venue in which to market our brand, especially when combined with Predators game broadcasts on Bally Sports South.”
Naturally, this is all a run-up to the launch of Bally’s sports betting app which should appear in Tennessee sometime in 2022. This is the first foray with a Tennessee professional sports franchise for Bally’s and the Predators are the first NHL franchise with which Bally’s has partnered.
The Predators have made the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons and last year ended with a 31-23-2 record before meeting the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening round. It was a grueling six-game series that saw the final four games decided in overtime. Unfortunately for Nashville fans, the Predators came up short and the Hurricanes advanced to the next round, only to lose in five games to the eventual Stanely Cup winners, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This season the Predators have come out smoking, winning their first three games and sitting near the top of the Central Division. It won’t be long before Predator fans get an opportunity to use the Bally’s sports betting app to wager on – or against – their home team.
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