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FanDuel is getting into the TV business, which directly affects Detroit professional sports. FanDuel struck a deal with Diamond Sports Group (DSG) in acquiring the naming rights to 16 regional sports networks (RSNs).
The Pistons, who open their NBA season on Wednesday, will be shown on FanDuel Sports Network. The Red Wings debuted on the new station in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over the New York Islanders. The deal also applies to the Tigers, as their regular season starts in late March 2025.
The deal gives Michigan online sportsbooks in lifetime revenue and handle.
New deal makes easier to watch Detroit sports for fans
Because of DSG’s financial troubles in the spring, Comcast/Xfinity removed Tigers games from local television. Tigers fans had a few ways to watch games, but it involved an additional subscription.
News of FanDuel’s involvement in acquiring naming rights to RSNs surfaced in June, and seemed like a formality. That became official earlier this week as DSG CEO, David Preschlack, spoke about the importance of the fan experience.
“This partnership reinforces opportunities to further strengthen the close connection our RSNs have with local fans, including enhancing our DTC offering for a growing digital audience,” he said in a statement.
“In the meantime, having finalized agreements with the NBA, NHL and our key distributors, we remain focused on moving our business forward and driving value for our team partners and our stakeholders.”
Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers games are now available on fans’ existing Comcast/Xfinity cable packages without an additional cost. Here are the next games for the following Detroit teams:
- Red Wings: Thursday Oct. 24 vs. New Jersey Devils
- Tigers: Thursday, March 27 (2025) at Los Angeles Dodgers
How the new deal affects FanDuel, Michigan bettors
The naming rights is obviously one of the biggest aspects of the partnership. The FanDuel name will be displayed to fans across multiple markets, including Detroit.
“Partnering with Diamond provides us an opportunity to put the FanDuel brand at the intersection of the nation’s largest group of regional sports networks,” FanDuel’s President of Sports, Mike Raffensperger, said.
“A large cohort of FanDuel customers are devoted RSN viewers and this agreement allows us to further cement the FanDuel brand with sports fans and provides a unique vehicle to reward our s.”
In addition, FanDuel is also able to promote its product to bettors across NBA, NHL and MLB games. There is also going to be effort into a unified direct-to-consumer app experience that features FanDuel programming such as Up & Adams and Run It Back.
FanDuel is the clear market leader in the Great Lakes State, and this partnership to put its name in front of millions of more fans in the Greater Detroit area is only going to make it stronger.
