Online sportsbooks use sponsorship agreements as their primary form of sponsoring, with it being easier & more profitable than standard TV Ads. The latest sportsbook to announce a partnership is DraftKings, who have signed a multi-year agreement to become the official “Daily Fantasy Partner & Official Sportsbook” of the Chicago Cubs. It marks the first sportsbetting agreement for the Major League Baseball team.

DraftKings agreement with the Chicago Cubs includes a plan that’ll allow for a physical sportsbook at Wrigley Field, home of the MLB Club. Online availability will be supported to the surrounding areas around Wrigleyville, enabling promotional-based sportsbetting for locals.

One factor could postpone this agreement entering fruition, with approval required by the City of Chicago. It’d mark the first physical sportsbook in their metropolis, meaning there’ll be councillors that disagree with this addition to the Chicago Cubs franchise & others that see the profit within this partnership. The benefit working in-favour of DraftKings is that Illinois approved sportsbetting in Summer 2019, meaning that this digital sportsbook could contest disapproval in the Illinois State Court.

The Statements

Co-Founder & President of DraftKings North America, Matt Kalish, spoke on the agreement made between his sportsbooks and the Chicago Cubs. He evoked that both organizations share a passion for the commitment & innovation of online sports betting in-correlation with professional baseball. Matt Kalish mentioned his excitement towards collaborating with the Chicago Cubs, that together they’ll create a partnership surrounding the old & modern traditions of baseball.

An official statement was also issued by the Chicago Cubs President, Crane Kenney. He mentioned that supports of their baseball team are continually citing their desire to integrate betting into the real game experience. President Kenney emphasized his excitement to developing a retail & online sportsbook for Chicago Cub supporters, noting that with approval from the city, it’ll bring new wealth to his team.

It’d be surprising for DraftKings not to receive approval, with their sportsbook being operational in Illinois since 2019. Physical & retail options are supported for Illinois citizens, with their physical location located at Queen Casino in East St. Louis.