The Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team has detailed plans for a first-of-its-kind sportsbook at Wrigley Field after signing a partnership with digital sports entertainment and gaming company DraftKings.
The multi-year deal names DraftKings as the official sports betting and daily fantasy partner of the Cubs. The agreement includes plans for a sportsbook at the team’s iconic home stadium, with online access to be available in the surrounding Wrigleyville area.
The sportsbook will include a “best-in-class entertainment experience” for fans. Sports betting is legal in the state of Illinois but the development of a retail sportsbook will require approval from the City of Chicago.
The Cubs would become the first MLB team to open a retail sportsbook on its stadium premises. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed but Action Network has reported that the deal will be worth around $100m (£75.4m/€84.6m) for “nearly a decade worth of rights”.
Matt Kalish, co-founder and president of DraftKings North America, said: “This is truly a historic moment, as we are thrilled to align with the renowned Chicago Cubs franchise and iconic Wrigley Field to provide sports bettors in Chicago with a revolutionary sports betting experience.
“As two organisations that share a mutual passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we look forward to working in collaboration with the Cubs, an organisation steeped in tradition, and making our presence felt in and around Wrigleyville.”
Crane Kenney, the Cubs’ president of business operations, added: “DraftKings has been a great partner for a number of years and we are excited to expand this relationship as sports betting grows rapidly in Illinois.
“An increasing number of sports fans want to integrate sports betting into their game experience, and we’re excited to be one of the first to engage in developing a retail sportsbook at a professional sports venue.”
Image: Chicago Cubs
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