William Hill & Vegas Golden Knights Sign First Sports Betting Deal of NHL
In what is the first sports betting deal for any National Hockey League (NHL) team in the country, the Vegas Golden Knights have signed an agreement with major operator William Hill US. This deal has made the Golden Knights the second sports team in Vegas to enter into an agreement with William Hill, the first being the Las Vegas Lights FC of United Soccer League who signed a deal earlier this year in June.
Through this multi-year deal, the sportsbook operator will have an away game viewing party, a TV dashboard, a scoreboard hung at the center of the team’s T-Mobile arena where league-wide odds are updated during intermissions, as well as a signage posted inside the arena.
In addition to the historic deal, the hockey team, in collaboration with William Hill, has also announced that they have plans to come up with innovative ways to engage with their fans using various promotional platforms such as media and advertising. Kerry Bubolz, president of Vegas Golden Knights, said that the team is always on the lookout and open to innovative methods of engaging with varying segments of their fanbase so that they can provide a unique and enhanced experience for their fans.
After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the legislation which banned sports betting in the country with the exception of Nevada, many states such as Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, and West Virginia have opened sportsbooks. More states are expected to follow, such as Pennsylvania, while major sports leagues in the country have entered into partnerships with operators.
William Hill shares excitement over the deal
Jose Asher, CEO of William Hill US said that his company is extremely excited to have this partnership with the Vegas hockey team. Since both parties have their base in Las Vegas, Asher said that he has seen first-hand just how Golden Knights have benefited the community.
He also added that as a leading force in the country’s sports betting market, the company is proud to claim the first deal between an NHL team and a sportsbook in the U.S. He thanked Golden Knights owner, Bill Foley, and the team’s management for bringing such a successful franchise to Las Vegas.
When the 102nd season of the NHL starts next month on October, the Golden Knights will be facing the Philadelphia Flyers, after their narrow loss to the Washington Capitals in the finals of Stanley Cup.
