FanDuel Boosts European Basketball Betting in the US Through EuroLeague Deal

Article by : Erik Gibbs Oct 17, 2024

• 
• 

FanDuel has entered into a landmark partnership with Euroleague Basketball that promises to broaden the exposure of European basketball in North America. Under a new broadcasting agreement, FanDuel will leverage both its TV channel and its over-the-top (OTT) platform, FanDuel TV+, to exclusively broadcast one game from every Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season round to US audiences during the 2024/25 season.

This agreement marks a significant expansion of EuroLeague’s reach, providing basketball fans across the US with free-to-air access to one of Europe’s top basketball leagues. The partnership aims to introduce North American audiences to European basketball, which has surged in popularity overseas, and to deepen the global connection between fans of the sport.

The collaboration reflects Euroleague Basketball’s growing ambitions to step beyond its established pan-European footprint. With this new broadcasting arrangement, EuroLeague hopes to tap into a US market that has long been dominated by the NBA but is now increasingly open to alternative basketball leagues, thanks to rising interest in international competitions.

FanDuel will broadcast these games via both its linear TV channel, FanDuel TV, and its streaming service, FanDuel TV+, making use of a variety of platforms to reach a wider audience. These platforms include popular free streaming services such as Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Xumo Play, and Plex, ensuring that the games are easily accessible to basketball enthusiasts throughout the US.

The FanDuel-EuroLeague partnership will kick off with two highly anticipated matchups in October. The game between Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, set for October 23, will be the first to be broadcast as part of this new arrangement. 

Shortly thereafter, the much-anticipated clash between Real Madrid and Olympiacos Piraeus, scheduled for October 29, will follow. These games, featuring some of the EuroLeague’s top clubs and standout talent, are expected to captivate US viewers and offer a taste of the high-caliber basketball played in Europe.

The partnership opens up new opportunities for both FanDuel and EuroLeague, allowing each to tap into new audiences and grow their respective brands. For FanDuel, the addition of EuroLeague games to its sports programming lineup represents a chance to further diversify its offerings and attract a broader segment of sports fans. The company’s decision to add live EuroLeague games to its portfolio is in line with its goal of providing engaging, watch-and-wager sports content to its viewers.

Mike Raffensperger, FanDuel’s President of Sports, emphasized the importance of this agreement for both organizations. He pointed out that FanDuel is always looking for ways to expand its live sports programming and that EuroLeague has shown significant engagement among the platform’s users. The partnership will not only increase the visibility of EuroLeague basketball in the US but will also provide FanDuel with more opportunities to enhance its programming and drive interaction through its sports betting services.

The move also signals Euroleague Basketball’s desire to grow its brand beyond European borders. Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Euroleague Basketball’s Chief Officer of Marketing and Communication, underscored the importance of the partnership in expanding the league’s global footprint. 

By reaching US audiences, EuroLeague hopes to attract new fans and offer a fresh perspective on basketball’s global reach. This exposure comes at a time when European basketball is growing in prominence, with many EuroLeague stars going on to successful careers in the NBA.

For US fans, the partnership presents an opportunity to see top-level basketball played by teams and players they may not be familiar with, but who are competing at the highest levels of the sport. EuroLeague games are known for their intensity, tactical play, and passionate fan bases, offering a different flavor of basketball than the NBA.

While the broadcasting agreement between FanDuel and EuroLeague primarily targets American audiences, its broader implications are significant for the future of international basketball. As more US viewers tune in to watch European basketball, it is likely that the profile of leagues like the EuroLeague will continue to rise globally, further breaking down the traditional borders that have separated national leagues in the past.