PointsBet links up with Austin FC in wide-ranging partnership
Sports betting operator named founding partner of expansion MLS club
Online sports betting operator PointsBet has joined forces with Austin FC, reaching a wide-ranging partnership that makes it a founding partner of the expansion Major League Soccer club. The long-term agreement covers everything from retail and online sports betting to daily fantasy and free-to-play games.
As part of the partnership, PointsBet also gains access to a host of branding integrations with the club and its home venue, Q2 Stadium. That includes entitlement to the ‘PointsBet Sports Bar,’ as well as full usage of Austin FC IP, marks, and logos.
In addition, PointsBet will benefit from various sponsorship opportunities and brand placements across Austin FC’s suite of linear and digital assets, collaborating with the club on giveaways, promotional sweepstakes, and special events.
“As the city’s only major league team, Austin FC has excited global soccer fans and is setting a new standard for what it means to deliver for their supporters and their community by putting a laser focus on experience,” said PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken. “We look forward to a future when our groundbreaking technology will be in the hands of Austin FC’s passionate and tech-savvy fan base.”
“PointsBet has emerged as a leader in what is arguably the most competitive and coveted landscape in sports,” added Austin FC president Andy Loughnane. “We are honoured that PointsBet has chosen to strategically align with Austin FC and Major League Soccer as they continue to expand their impressive North American footprint.”
The partnership with Austin FC is a clear indicator as to just how seriously PointsBet considers the future opportunity in Texas – the operative word being future, as lawmakers in the notoriously gambling-averse Lone Star State only began to scratch the surface on sports betting during the 2021 legislative session.
But with a population of 29 million people, 11 major professional sports teams across five cities, and passionate fan bases dispersed throughout the state, Texas figures to quickly become one of the crown jewels of sports betting whenever it does finally come online.