NHL and PointsBet Score a Big Goal in Landmark Partnership Agreement

• The NHL & PointsBet in partnership is a significant achievement for US sports wagering
• PointsBet permitted to integrate content into NBC Sports broadcasts involving the NHL
• The operator maintains relationships with 4 NHL teams furthering ties to the league

The fine line between US sports leagues and sportsbook operators became remarkably finer this week as the National Hockey League secured a small equity stake in PointsBet as part of a broader partnership with the Australian sports betting operator.

The stunning agreement covers both the US and Australia and allows PointsBet the right to use NHL marks and logos, as well as a variety of sponsorship and commercial opportunities across its linear, digital, and social media assets, according to PointBet officials.

Also, as part of the deal, PointsBet will be allowed to integrate content into live NHL game broadcasts across NHL media partners, including NBC Sports, Altitude TV, and other potential future alignments.

PointsBet Permitted to Integrate Content Into NBC Sports Broadcasts

Integrations for the deal have already begun as PointsBet, NBC Sports and the NHL have been working together installing features including incorporating PointsBet odds, data, and insight to run in tandem with pre-game, in-game, and post-game broadcasts for this season.

Keith Wachtel, NHL Chief Business Officer, and Senior Executive Vice President commented on the new partnership:

As the sports betting landscape evolves at a rapid pace, we continue to develop unique, strategic alliances within the sports gaming industry. Our partnership with PointsBet brings to life our collaboration with our valued media partners and we look forward to enhancing our fan engagement opportunities in concert with both PointsBet and NBC. We are proud to welcome PointsBet to the NHL family.

This groundbreaking arrangement furthers existing ties the NHL and PointsBet has with NBC Sports. The league is in the final season of a 10-year, $2 billion dollar contract originally signed in April 2011. NBC signed a five-year deal to acquire a 4.9% share in PointsBet for $500 million in 2020.

Johnny Aitken, CEO of PointsBet USA was quite excited regarding the agreement and said:

PointsBet is thrilled to become an official sports betting partner of the National Hockey League. The NHL’s on-ice product provides fans with captivating, nonstop action — it is a privilege to join forces with the NHL and its forward-thinking team, complementing that action with PointsBet’s sports betting product, the fastest sports betting app in market. We are excited to further elevate fan engagement via offering the most markets in the world for each NHL game, including our exclusive PointsBet product, and enhance TV and digital integrations with mutual partners like NBC Sports.

Inside the Deal

PointsBet has agreed to issue the NHL 43,106 fully paid ordinary shares, representing $500,000 based on the 20-day trading volume-weighted average price of shares immediately prior to February 5, 2021.

The shares will remain in a holding lock and will be released in equal proportions after 12, 24, and 36 months.

Results published in January 2021 showed that PointsBet saw turnover and revenue for the first half of the 2020-21 fiscal year grow rapidly, however, high spending and investment saw its net loss continue to widen. After high levels of spending, however, the operator posted a net loss of $48.8m, up 51.1% from the previous year.

The deal follows an aggressive trend within the NHL for PointsBet. They reached an agreement last month to be the official sports betting partner of the Detroit Red Wings, just before mobile wagering launched in Michigan. PointsBet also maintains partnering agreements with three other NHL teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers.