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By Torrey Hart
The Memphis Grizzlies and FanDuel Group have a multi-year deal that makes FanDuel an official sports betting partner and the exclusive official daily fantasy partner of the Grizzlies.
The agreement is the team’s first with a sportsbook and FanDuel’s first with an NBA team. FanDuel launched in Tennessee on Nov. 1 as sports betting became legal in the state — the first bet on the Tennessee FanDuel Sportsbook was a $0.10 wager on the Indianapolis Colts -2.5 against the Detroit lions, which cashed for $0.18.
“As we expand our market-leading sportsbook into Tennessee, partnering with the Grizzlies was a no-brainer given the team’s popularity and long-standing success, as well as their shared mindset of being absurdly fan-focused,” FanDuel Group CMO Mike Raffenspberger said in an announcement.
Four sportsbook operators made their debut on Nov. 1, including BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and local operator Action 24/7. Tennessee is now the 19th U.S. state, along with Washington D.C., that has legalized some form of sports betting.
FanDuel will now have access to official Grizzlies marks and logos to use across its products, as well as marketing assets including in-arena signage at FedExForum and radio, television and digital advertising spots.
The New York-based company will also present the team’s home and away television broadcasts with multiple integrations to “enhance the experience” for those watching at home.
FanDuel has landed a number of new partnerships as of late.
Most prominently, it became the exclusive sportsbook for Turner Sports’ NBA content, including TNT live telecasts and Bleacher Report digital channels. The partnership began during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, when FanDuel Sportsbook odds were integrated during TNT’s “Inside The NBA” studio show, as well as various other times during live games and across Bleacher Report platforms.
