DraftKings has teamed up with audio streaming and broadcast giant iHeartMedia as the media network’s official sports betting and gaming content supplier, the Boston-based sportsbook and media company announced.
DraftKings will be the official odds supplier for all radio and digital platforms under iHeartMedia, giving the sportsbook access to iHeartMedia’s sports broadcast talent and long-form content.
“Analytically tapping into iHeart’s coveted listenership while powering authentic betting content is a landmark moment for both organizations and precursor to new possibilities in media innovation,” DraftKings North America President and co-founder Matt Kalish said in a press release announcing the strategic partnership.
iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group CEO Greg Ashlock said the partnership will benefit the sports audio giant by expanding iHeartMedia sports content to both listeners and fans.
“Even though we are number one in audio sports programming, we continue to build new sports content and DraftKings is an ideal partner as we expand and innovate,” Ashlock said. “DraftKings is a premier sports technology and entertainment company that provides millions of customers with the best in real-money gaming products along with exceptional safety and security through various responsible gaming measures.”
Collaboration between DraftKings and iHeartMedia on possible new offerings, including cross-platform interactive games for fans, is also being discussed, according to the announcement.
What The Partnership Means In Terms of Consumer Reach
iHeartMedia’s broadcast and digital network will give DraftKings access to the media company’s 270 million monthly broadcast listeners. Additional access will be granted through iHeartPodcast Sports Network, which features more than 50 million downloads per month — the largest number of sports podcast downloads in today’s market, the company says.
“Customer engagement remains a primary focus for DraftKings, and this latest agreement with iHeartMedia amplifies our reach immensely to a dedicated audience that spans more than 160 markets across the country with the largest audio company in the U.S.,” according to Kalish.
Ashlock has indicated that iHeartRadio has similar expectations for its agreement with the DraftKings.
“We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership everywhere sports betting is permissible,” he stated in the release.