FanDuel to offer NHL live streams in sportsbook app
US sports betting operator expands NHL relationship via deal brokered by IMG Arena
FanDuel has expanded its partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) in a move which will see its sportsbook app stream NHL games in states where online sports betting is legal.
The platform will stream up to two regular season fixtures daily, with no confirmation on whether the post-season Stanley Cup will be afforded to FanDuel.
Only those customers who have placed funds into a sportsbook account or placed a wager on the specific event will be able to access the live stream.
FanDuel’s sportsbook is currently available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana and West Virginia, with the deal running for the remainder of the season, at least.
The diversification of the pair’s relationship was facilitated by IMG Arena, which last month extended its deal with the NHL to provide US sports betting operators with live streams of NHL action.
IMG Arena, which is the sports betting arm of IMG, had been offering NHL streams in the European market for several years.
Speaking after securing the US expansion with IMG Arena, Steve McArdle, NHL EVP of digital media and strategic planning, noted that it would be a key marker in developing fan engagement.
He said: “The NHL has taken a progressive approach to sports betting, and this live game streaming opportunity with IMG Arena provides another innovative touchpoint for fan engagement.”
Speaking to EPSN, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the move to stream matches via FanDuel was a natural progression.
Daly said: “Once we made the jump to allowing our brand to be associated with sports betting companies, this was not a far leap. We’re supplying footage, we’re supplying feeds of our games.”