Pennsylvania-based casino operator Penn National Gaming Inc. has struck a deal with sports data and content company Sportradar to get access to official National Football League for use in its sports betting platforms.
The agreement will allow for the crucial football betting content in both Penn National’s live venues and retail sports betting locations, as well as the Barstool Sportsbook mobile app that is expected to debut later this quarter.
Penn National earlier this year gained an minority equity share and pathway to control in Barstool Sports, the controversial sports and culture media company, with the deal designed to counter against the early lead that rival entities FanDuel and DraftKings have staked in the nascent US sports wagering space. That $163m cash-and-stock deal valued Barstool Sports at more than $450m.
The Sportradar deal, meanwhile, provides key data as Penn National now looks to capitalize on that acquisition.
“Delivering official NFL data to our growing, loyal audience, including over 66 million Barstool fans and our 20 million casino customers, will provide wagering opportunities where we operate sports books across the country,” said Jon Kaplowitz, senior vice president of Penn National’s interactive gaming division.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the agreement will include the publicly traded Penn National gaining access to the official NFL play-by-play data feed for live in-game wagers.
“We look forward to working together and providing a unique betting experience for their loyal customers during the upcoming season and beyond,” said Neale Deeley, Sportradar vice president of US sales and gaming.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, meanwhile, has been under fire in recent days following the revelation and social media circulation of racist and culturally insensitive posts of his from several years ago, including several that likened former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and social justice advocate Colin Kaepernick to former terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.
An unrepentant Portnoy quickly shot back against American “cancel culture,” saying in his social media post he was “uncancellable.” But as the US continues to undergo a large-scale conversation and reckoning around deep-seeded topics of racial justice, the stance could prove to be a threat to Barstool Sports.
“Memo to the cancel cops. I knew this was coming before you. And I’m ready. You don’t cancel me. I cancel you,” Portnoy said.
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