DraftKings Enters Partnership To Launch Sports Bar In Nashville
DraftKings announced a new partnership with national entertainment brand Sports & Social on Thursday, July 29.
The brands will work together in this strategic collaboration to launch dual-branded sports bars in Nashville, Tennessee and Detroit, Michigan.
DraftKings partners with Sports & Social
By combining DraftKings’ top-rated sports betting brand with Sports & Social’s electric, upscale entertainment atmosphere, the duo looks to create a revolutionary new gaming space for customers.
These restaurant and entertainment venues will be designed by the award-winning international development firm ICRAVE.
Ezra Kucharz, chief business officer at DraftKings, regards this as the next step in social gaming.
“Today, so much of sports betting is focused on the mobile-technology aspect, however the in-person experience is an integral layer that we look forward to advancing alongside Sports & Social’s premier dining and entertainment offerings. By aligning with one of the fastest-growing entertainment concepts in the country, we now have the opportunity to bring our world-class products to life by offering engaging, interactive and fan-first destinations to skin-in-the-game customers.”
DraftKings is currently operational in 14 states, either with its online app or in a retail space, depending on local regulations. As a result, bettors can wager from their mobile devices as well as in 10 different retail locations across the country.
The sportsbook introduced itself to the Tennessee sports betting market in November 2020 when sports betting launched in the state.
Then in December, it began its expansion into Nashville by becoming the official sports betting operator of the Nashville Predators.
Now that hockey season is over, DraftKings has found a new way to engage Nashville sports fans.
All about Sports & Social
Sports & Social is a gaming parlor and social lounge that offers state-of-the-art viewing experiences and entertainment areas for sports fans.
The brand is the brainchild of Live! Dining & Entertainment, which is a division of The Cordish Companies. Welcoming over 55 million visitors per year, the Live! brand is one of the premier entertainment brands in the country.
Reed Cordish, principal of The Cordish Companies, is eager to venture into sports betting with DraftKings.
“DraftKings is an industry leader in sports betting and entertainment, and we are incredibly excited to work with them to bring this new experience to life. We are always looking to create new and innovative experiences for our guests, and this collaboration will allow us an exciting opportunity to do so, bringing an incredible premier sports-watching experience with sports betting all under one roof.”
Nashville and Detroit are the first to receive this new project launch, with specific locations being revealed in the coming months. The brands will then announce subsequent project locations down the line.
Sports & Social currently has locations within top entertainment and sporting districts:
- Atlanta, GA
- St. Louis, MO
- Arlington, TX
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Baltimore, MD
How a retail betting space functions in an online market
Just exactly how this will work for Tennessee’s market remains somewhat unclear. Other brands, however, have attempted similar collaborations in the past.
Since the Volunteer State only permits online wagering, bettors will have to use their own personal device to access a sports betting app and place a wager while in the new Tennessee facility.
BetMGM recently teamed up with Buffalo Wild Wings in March for a similar partnership.
Buffalo Wild Wings were decked out in BetMGM sportsbook themes with a variety of sporting events broadcast on flat-screen TVs. Bettors could benefit from in-person boosts, promos, and free bets while enjoying their wings.
DraftKings will need to get the necessary regulatory approval before the project can begin. However, since BetMGM already launched a similar project, it will likely be smooth sailing.
Here’s to hoping Nashville’s new DraftKings-inspired Sports & Social location will have some free bets and boosts to offer of its own.
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