LeBron James is teaming up with DraftKings.
LeBron James does his pregame ceremonial chalk throw, however on this advertising illustration, the powder varieties the DraftKings crown. DraftKings this week introduced an promoting partnership with the four-time NBA champion. (Picture: DraftKings)
One of the recognizable international sports activities superstars, James, 39, is within the later levels of his storied NBA profession that features 4 titles, 4 MVP awards, and a file 20 NBA All-Star appearances.
DraftKings, a number one sportsbook within the US with an estimated 35% market share, spends closely on advertising and movie star endorsements. This week’s announcement that DraftKings has snagged James is presumably one among its costliest endorsement offers but.
James broke the information on his X account with a picture of him performing his conventional pregame routine of throwing chalk powder into the air, however the cloud within the advertising promo varieties the DraftKings crown emblem.
Soccer season simply acquired A LOT extra enjoyable. Let’s go!” James tweeted.
DraftKings reps instructed On line casino.org that James will make weekly picks on the NFL allotment of video games subsequent season. James, an Akron native, has been a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan however has additionally supported the Cleveland Browns.
👑 x 👑!!! Soccer season simply acquired A LOT extra enjoyable. 🏈😁🙏🏾 Let’s go! @DraftKings #DKPartner pic.twitter.com/kyNaq3WBZm
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 31, 2024
‘One King to One other’
Final summer time, DraftKings unveiled the brand new advertising tagline, “The Crown is Yours.” The promoting slogan got here forward of ESPN Wager’s launch in 17 states, which is operating an aggressive advertising marketing campaign and regularly reaches hundreds of thousands of sports activities followers through ESPN broadcasts.
DraftKings says bringing on “King James” is a most becoming partnership. The DraftKings Sportsbook X account tweeted, “From one King to a different, welcome to the crew, LeBron.”
Jason Robins, co-founder and CEO of DraftKings, stated it’s “an absolute honor” to signal LeBron to the sportsbook’s endorsement roster.
Welcoming one of the crucial influential and best athletes of all time, LeBron James, to the DraftKings household is an absolute honor and privilege,” stated Robins. “We look ahead to working with a passionate sports activities fan who shares the identical aggressive mindset that echoes all through the partitions at DraftKings whereas delivering thrilling engagement alternatives to our clients and his loyal fanbase for years to come back.”
DraftKings reps say James will assist help key soccer initiatives “by way of content material creation, similar to weekly soccer picks.”
Market Leaders
DraftKings and FanDuel management about 70% of the authorized sports activities betting market within the US. Regardless of introductions and indulgent advertising spends from Fanatics and Penn Leisure’s ESPN Wager, analysts say the 2 powerhouses have managed to fend off the competitors.
Stifel analyst Jeffrey Stantial wrote final month that DraftKings cited “no fast affect from the ESPN Wager launch” and solely sees “potential for the providing to develop the market.”
DraftKings has lengthy used celebrities and sports activities icons to market its sports activities betting and iGaming enterprise. However not like earlier Tremendous Bowls, DraftKings isn’t operating a spot throughout this 12 months’s huge sport in Las Vegas.
BetMGM is ponying up $7 million to run a 30-second industrial throughout Tremendous Bowl LVIII on February 11. BetMGM’s huge sport industrial stars NFL and NHL legends Tom Brady and Wayne Gretzky, together with Hollywood A-lister Vince Vaughn.
FanDuel is operating a Tremendous Bowl advert, too. The DraftKings rival is once more utilizing former NFL tight finish Rob Gronkowski, who will kick a 25-yard area purpose reside with $10 million in free betting credit for purchasers on the road.
