ESPN is closing in on a “large” new partnership with DraftKings, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The news outlet has stated that “people familiar with the matter” for the Disney-owned sports channel told them about the collaboration, but have asked not to be identified since the talks are private. No details regarding the deal were shared.
However, if the partnership between ESPN and DraftKings comes to fruition, it would mark another engagement for the popular sports channel with the growing US betting industry.
ESPN and DraftKings have been involved in partnerships with each other previously, but neither company wished to comment on the recent speculation when asked to do so by Bloomberg.
Although the channel has worked with sportsbooks in the past, it has never accepted bets, and will not do so anytime soon. Disney CEO Bob Chapek made it clear last month that the company would not open its own sportsbook.
Disney also has a stake in DraftKings, as it was part of its 2019 acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets.
Last month, Odds Assist published a survey which revealed that almost three-quarters of sports bettors would use an ESPN sportsbook if one was available.
