Before we dive into D.C. United specifically, let’s rewind the clock and review how we got here. In May of 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 25-year-old law, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), that effectively limited legal sports gambling to one state. As a result of the decision, states now have the ability to decide for themselves if they will allow legal sports gambling.
Fast forward to March of 2019 when MLS signed a strategic multi-year partnership with MGM Resorts who became the Official Gambling Partner of the league. That was the first big domino to fall, as teams soon-thereafter began discussing individual deals with different gambling properties.
One of, if not the first, team to announce a gambling sponsor was D.C. United who locked in a partnership with Caesars Entertainment. The move saw the Caesars logo added to the sleeve of D.C.’s jerseys for the 2020 season and there was talk of a sportsbook opening at Audi Field. However, as we’ve all learned in this year, things change. Enter, FanDuel.
D.C. United signs gambling partnership with FanDuel
While terms of the deal have not been revealed, what we do know is it is a multi-year partnership which sees FanDuel, the sportsbook, daily fantasy sports, and online casino become the official betting sponsor of D.C. United. FanDuel’s partnership will begin in 2021, as Caesars deal-cut-short will be terminated at the end of 2020.
One of the biggest pieces of news when the Caesars deal was first announced was that Audi Field, home of D.C. United, would also house a sportsbook. Thanks to complications (including coronavirus), the sportsbook will not open in 2020; however, FanDuel and D.C. United will make that a big priority for 2021 pending approval from the D.C. Lottery. The sportsbook, when opened, will become (at least as of now) the second sportsbook in D.C. with William Will opening one at the Capital One Arena earlier this year.
The intention of the Audi Field sportsbook is for it to operate every day of the year with betting windows and self-service terminals.
FanDuel’s logo will also be included on the sleeve of D.C. United’s jerseys upon the conclusion of the 2020 MLS season.
FanDuel officially enters the American soccer world
I think most people with a general interest in sports have at least a cursory understanding of FanDuel. They’re one part sports betting, one part daily fantasy sports, and another part online/app casino. Going a bit beyond the surface, I dug up a few interesting tidbits to help improve fan knowledge because, at least to me, the gambling world still feels a bit like the Wild Wild West. So, here are some fun facts:
- FanDuel has 12 retail sportsbooks in nine different states
- FanDuel also has mobile sports gambling capabilities in seven states
- 55% of daily fantasy sports (DFS) players say they use FanDuel (63% for DraftKings)*
- 83% of FanDuel users are Male*
- 96% of FanDuel users are under the age of 55 (avg. age of 36)*
- 54% of FanDuel users have a bachelor’s degree or higher*
- 22% of FanDuel users have a personal income of $100K or more*
*according to a 2019 Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association report
Categories: Major League Soccer, Sponsorship