The mainstreaming of the US legal sports betting industry took yet another step Wednesday with news that recently retired NFL legend Drew Brees has signed on with Australian-based sportsbook PointsBet to become its latest Brand Ambassador.
The newly minted alliance is especially interesting since Brees, whose post-playing plans include an in-game analyst gig with NBC for its Notre Dame and Sunday Night Football broadcasts. PointsBet, with which Brees has coincidentally signed on with, happens to be the official sports betting partner of NBC Sports.
“Today is a massive day for our company as we welcome Drew Brees into the PointsBet family,” said Johnny Aitken, PointsBet USA CEO. “Drew is renowned for his tireless work ethic and achieved great success in his career regardless of the obstacles in front of him, possessing the scrappy, well-prepared challenger, win-at-all-costs mentality that embodies PointsBet’s DNA. We look forward to collaborating for years to come and integrating Drew across our portfolio to complement PointsBet’s market-leading technology infrastructure and strategic approach to the competitive sports betting space.”
Brees Credentials
Drew Brees will bring a fair amount of clout to the Australian-based sportsbook. The future Hall of Famer was one of the most beloved and well-respected characters for the biggest sports betting league in the world.
Brees currently holds the record as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and has a Super Bowl MVP trophy, 13 Pro Bowl selections, and two NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards among a throng of accolades from his storied career. He finished his career as the NFL leader in completions and completion percentage and is still second in touchdown passes and pass attempts.
He brings with him a ton of credibility and the respect of everybody that knows anything about not only the NFL but North American sports as well.
His new career as a broadcaster for NBC Sports will likely give PointsBet an underestimated weekly megaphone as Brees slowly becomes part of one of NBC Sports’ largest National weekly broadcasts.
PointsBet Gets
Brees isn’t expected to be in the booth of Sunday Night Football games until the start of the 2022 season, but he will still have a presence on NBC, where his PointsBet partnership will get some attention. He will start as a game analyst for Notre Dame college football and will be in the studio Sunday Nights for Football Night in America.
NBC will work to keep Brees’ profile high and perhaps not-so-unintentionally keep an authorized sports betting partner’s brand ambassador on TV every week.
Brees will be a star in and help create original wagering content for PointsBet and will also be “leading watch parties and steering marketing and promotional concepts” according to a PointsBet press release. He will also be a factor in a host of marketing promotions for PointsBet.
Brees Gets
Drew Brees will become what is reported to be a “significant PointsBet shareholder” thanks to his multi-year deal. He gets to further his career talking about the game he loves and will now have the backing of both a premier sportsbook and a major cable network in his post-NFL life.
Brees obviously didn’t want to fade away. He gets the spotlight for a few more years at least and for his services will benefit from a lucrative contract on TV as well as an equity stake in one of the elite sports betting providers in the US market.
“I am excited to team up with PointsBet, a leader in the future of sports entertainment built off elite technology,” said Brees. “Sports betting is growing across the country and will positively impact sports engagement, and I am proud to be at the forefront alongside PointsBet and NBC Sports.”
PointsBet Arrow Pointing Up
Australian based PointsBet has been aggressive in their pursuit of elite status within the exploding US legal sports betting scene. Through their partnership with NBC, they have put themselves in a position to become one of the most recognizable names on the scene. A host of other alignments with leagues, teams and even sporting venues across the US also serves them well.
PointsBet’s signing of Drew Brees may have another ulterior motive. Legal sports betting is in the process of legalizing in the intriguing Louisiana market, where Brees called home and retired an absolute legend. Perhaps PointsBet gets a leg up in that market before it goes live.
It all leads to the PointsBet arrow pointing way up in the exploding US legal sports betting scene. The uber-competitive market requires bold moves and that is what PointsBet is becoming known for.
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