New brand ambassador to deliver $30m in gifts

FanDuel announced an exclusive, multiyear content deal on December 21 with ex-NBA player and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, complete with a feel-good festive season twist.

The deal sees Barkley become FanDuel’s exclusive sports betting and daily fantasy sports partner. And, as FanDuel’s brand ambassador and spokesperson, the Sports Emmy Award-winning analyst will star in the New York-based organization’s ad campaigns, besides appearing in Turner Sports promotions based on the gaming company’s free-to-play contests.

FanDuel welcomed Barkley on board with a tweet showing the former Philadelphia 76ers power forward playing a unique festive role:

According to an official news release, as Saint Chuck, Barkley will deliver over $30m in gifts to FanDuel customers, including credits, free bets, and prizes.

FanDuel adding star-power flair

In October, FanDuel Group became the exclusive sportsbook partner for Turner Sports’ NBA programming, which includes live TNT telecasts, Bleacher Report digital channels, and the app.

unique flair, personality and prediction”

Will Funk, Turner Sports’ executive vice president of sports partnerships and branded content, said Barkley’s association with Turner Sports spans more than 20 years. The former pro player brought his “unique flair, personality and prediction” to the network’s NBA on TNT telecasts, he added.

Funk said the company looks forward to Barkley’s appearance in “engaging FanDuel brand integrations on Turner Sports’ and Bleacher Report’s NBA programming.” In his newly appointed role, Barkley will deliver original content for FanDuel Group’s social media channels while making guest appearances on brand-affiliated TV shows and podcasts.

In a news release following his appointment, Barkley said: “FanDuel helps [Inside the NBA] be more informative and interactive, and they do it in a way that any knucklehead could understand.”

Maximizing the festive feeling

For the upcoming festive season, ‘Barkley Boosts’ will be available on odds at the FanDuel sportsbook for NBA Tip-Off and Christmas Day NBA games.

FanDuel Group will donate 340,000 meals to Feeding America

In addition, in honor of Barkley’s number 34 which the Philadelphia 76ers retired in 2001, FanDuel Group will donate 340,000 meals to Feeding America. As the US’s biggest national hunger-relief organization, the Feeding America network stretches across every community in the country through meal programs, food banks, and food pantries.

FanDuel Group chief marketing officer Mike Raffensperger said Barkley is an “American sports icon, a television legend and gaming royalty, so he’s the perfect person to ring in the holidays for our customers.” He added that over the next few years, FanDuel wants to boost Barkley’s appeal to make “sports betting fun for everyone.”