ESPN announces deal with DraftKngs after ESPN Bet’s demise
ESPN announces deal with DraftKngs after ESPN Bet’s demise
The pact with DraftKings comes days after ESPN announced it was exiting a deal with PENN Entertainment for ESPN Bet.
It didn’t take long for ESPN to find a new sports betting partner this week. Mere hours after announcing that it was exiting a 10-year deal with PENN Entertainment to distribute the ESPN Bet brand, the sports network announced it was partnering with DraftKings for sports betting integrations across its services, including the ESPN direct-to-consumer service.
Key Details:
- We’re out: ESPN is winding down its partnership on ESPN Bet with PENN.
- Hail to the king: DraftKings will take over as ESPN’s betting partner on Dec. 1.
- Full rollout to come: Customers will see DraftKings integrations with ESPN fully in 2026.
ESPN first partnered with PENN Entertainment in 2023, when the sports network lent its name to PENN’s digital sportsbook. In a 10-year agreement, PENN pledged to pay $150 million per year for the right to use the ESPN Bet brand, which was incorporated on various ESPN platforms, including its new ESPN Unlimited service.
As reported by Deadline, both ESPN and PENN had a clause that allowed them to exit the deal if “specific market share performance thresholds were not met.” No specifics were given by either company as to which goalposts were missed.
ESPN isn’t going to let its users go without sports betting integrations for long, however. On Thursday, the company announced a new partnership with DraftKings, which will make that firm the official sportsbook and odds provider of ESPN starting Dec. 1.
“Our betting approach has focused on offering an integrated experience within our products,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. “Working with DraftKings, a leader in the space, will allow us to build upon that foundation, continue to super-serve passionate sports fans, and grow our ESPN direct-to-consumer business. We are excited about this new collaboration with DraftKings.”
From Dec. 1 on, anyone who presses the Betting tab on the ESPN app will be shown DraftKings odds and wagers. A full rollout of DraftKings products on ESPN platforms is expected to occur in 2026, and ESPN customers will receive special promotions on the ESPN Unlimited platform.
“ESPN’s unmatched visibility across the world of sports makes this collaboration a natural fit,” DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said. “As an innovative leader in digital sports entertainment, DraftKings is uniquely positioned to integrate our technology and products with ESPN’s iconic brand and storytelling power. Together, we’re delivering a seamless, engaging, and responsible experience that elevates how fans connect with live sports.”
ESPN Unlimited
ESPN launched its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21, 2025. For the first time, this service gives sports fans access to its full lineup of linear channels without a traditional cable or satellite subscription.
