Two of America’s most recognisable sporting brands, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, have become the country’s first major league sports teams to sign a sponsorship with an online gambling firm.
The agreement with bwin.party is reportedly worth more than $10m and is made with the two teams and the Prudential Center, the New Jersey Devils’ arena home. The basketball and ice hockey franchises and the Newark arena are all run by Scott O’Neill (pictured with bwin.party CEO Norbert Teufelberger).
“This is our flag in the ground that we do things differently,” said O’Neil at a joint press conference. “We’re looking for groundbreaking opportunities with companies willing to take chances.”
As part of the agreement, bwin.party’s partypoker brand will become the official online gaming partner of the Sixers, Devils and Prudential Center. The agreement includes social media and digital asset creation while partypoker will also be visible inside the venues and will occupy advertising and television slots.
“These are two of the most iconic names in American hockey and basketball with huge and loyal fan bases throughout New Jersey and the surrounding metropolitan areas,” said Teufelberger.
