DraftKings Becomes Long-Term Marketing Partner of MSG and Will Receive Year-Round Presence Across MSG's Premier Sports, Entertainment and Media Properties in New York
Daily Fantasy Sports Destination Also Becomes Marquee Partner of New York Liberty With Its Logo Appearing on Team's Game Jerseys and Shooting Shirts
NEW YORK, June 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (Nasdaq:MSG) and DraftKings, Inc., a leader in daily fantasy sports, today announced a comprehensive, long-term marketing partnership that makes DraftKings a Signature Partner of MSG with year-round brand exposure across the company's unrivaled set of sports, entertainment and media properties in New York. Through the expansive partnership, DraftKings will be the exclusive Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner of MSG's teams – including the New York Knicks, Rangers, Liberty and Westchester Knicks – and The World's Most Famous Arena.
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DraftKings also becomes the Marquee partner of the New York Liberty and will have its logo appear on the team's home and away uniforms and shooting shirts. This will provide DraftKings with premium brand exposure to fans in-arena, and to consumers via national and local television broadcasts and media coverage. The Liberty will debut their new DraftKings uniforms tomorrow, June 5, when the team hosts the Atlanta Dream in their 2015 regular season opener at The Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET.
"DraftKings is a leader in daily fantasy sports and has been at the forefront of offering fans new ways to connect with their favorite teams and players on a nightly basis," said Ron Skotarczak, executive vice president, marketing partnerships, The Madison Square Garden Company. "We are thrilled to welcome them to our industry-leading group of MSG Signature Partners and as the new Marquee partner of the Liberty. We look forward to providing them with a platform that connects the fantasy sports destination with our teams' loyal and passionate fan bases."
"The Madison Square Garden Company's outstanding lineup of world-renowned teams and properties makes this an ideal partnership for us," said Jason Robins, chief executive officer and co-founder of DraftKings. "We couldn't be more excited to have a brand-new DraftKings Fantasy Lounge at The World's Most Famous Arena where we will continue to provide our DraftKings community with the best of the best in innovative and exclusive experiences for years to come."
DraftKings' Signature partnership includes significant brand exposure at Madison Square Garden for all Knicks, Rangers and Liberty games, as well as Westchester Knicks games at the Westchester County Center. Integration at these events will incorporate a variety of elements, including digital and static signage throughout the Arena; exposure on GardenVision, the Arena's center-hung multi-media display; and branding on the apron of the court for Knicks, Liberty and Westchester Knicks home games. DraftKings will also have a presence on game telecasts on MSG Network and will be integrated into the digital platforms for the brands, including the Knicks' and Rangers' social media feeds, mobile applications and all four teams' websites.
Additionally, DraftKings will become the title partner of the "DraftKings Fantasy Lounge" on Madison Square Garden's SAP Madison Concourse that will provide a dynamic experience to the millions of fans attending sports and entertainment events at The Garden each year. The space, which will open this fall, will include prominent DraftKings branding and give attendees at Garden events an interactive place to gather and play DraftKings daily fantasy sports.
DraftKings will also have a year-round presence on the seven video boards on the outside walls of The Garden. In addition, the daily fantasy sports company will receive a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences and hospitality offerings around the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty and Westchester Knicks.
Through the partnership, DraftKings joins MSG's group of world-class Signature Partners including Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Kia, Lexus and SAP, as well as Marquee Partner Chase.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment and is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports owns and operates the following sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, bull riding and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company's venues. MSG Media's television networks consist of regional sports networks, MSG Network and MSG+, collectively referred to as MSG Networks. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the New York Spring Spectacular, both featuring the Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company's diverse collection of venues. These venues consist of Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, The Chicago Theatre, and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.
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About DraftKings
DraftKings, Inc. is a leading skill-based Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) gaming destination for fans in North America to compete in single-day online games for cash and prizes across the largest variety of professional and collegiate sports. DraftKings is the exclusive DFS partner of Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, NASCAR, Ultimate Fighting Championship, World Series of Poker and the Breeders Cup. Founded in 2012 by CEO Jason Robins, CRO Matt Kalish and COO Paul Liberman, DraftKings is headquartered in Boston, Mass.
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