Daily fantasy sports powerhouse DraftKings has agreed with the Colorado Rockies to become the Major League Baseball club’s official sports betting operator and their daily fantasy operator. This move mimics a deal that the Denver Broncos and BetMGM conducted earlier in July.

DraftKings will get the use of the Rockies team logos and trademarks, have stadium branding rights at Coors Field in Denver, and have the availability to work with the team to come up with a digital content series featuring Rockies players.

Making Moves

On September 25, DraftKings held a grand opening for the DraftKings Sportsbook at the Mardi Gras Casino in Black Hawk, Colo. The sportsbook is DraftKings’ fifth retail location across the U.S, joining those in Iowa, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York.

Tennessee is finalizing details for the launch of online sports betting statewide in November. DraftKings has been approved as a betting operator ahead of the launch.

Rockies See Partnership as Fan Engagement Opportunity

Recently, Rockies Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Walker Monfort said in a statement: “All of us at the Colorado Rockies are thrilled to take this exciting next step in our longstanding relationship with DraftKings. Tying our brand to an early industry leader in the new frontier of legalized sports betting will be a great new endeavor for both parties.”

To further engage with fans and sports bettors, the Rockies and DraftKings will host several “hospitality offerings,” which may include game suites, ticket giveaways, ceremonial first pitches, batting practices, and more. Additionally, DraftKings prize packages can provide fans with trips to spring training games, fantasy camp participation, and pre-game meet-and-greets with players.

More MLB Teams Likely To Follow

The competition is more than hot right now for MLB teams wanting to sign a deal with sportsbooks. The Rockies have now set themselves up just like the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers have as MLB teams that have partnered with a major sportsbook. Don’t be surprised to see more of these types of partnerships as more states legalize sports betting.

DraftKings announced its partnership with the Chicago Cubs earlier in September. They have plans in place to open a sportsbook inside Wrigley Field. Unfortunately for the Rockies, Colorado state law currently prohibits the opening of a retail sportsbook on the grounds of Coors Field. While this may change in the near future, bettors will need to be active on their mobile devices if they want to bet on the games in person.

Promising Handle Numbers

The State of Colorado has been itching to bet on sports for quite some time now. In July alone, DraftKings’ handle increased 55 percent from June. The total amount wagered in Colorado in July was $59,183,620, dramatically higher than June’s total of $38,136,949.

Coloradans have shown to be a very engaging group of sports bettors, especially in recent months. This bodes well for the likes of DraftKings and other sportsbooks that have entered the area.

The Future Looks Bright

The partnership between DraftKings and the Rockies makes so much sense for both organizations. For DraftKings, the deal is another addition to add to their resume of excellent sports betting options to provide fans. With opportunities to reach new fans and enhance the experience of current fans, the Rockies are well-positioned to recoup some of the revenue lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the partnership with the Rockies will benefit both parties, don’t expect DraftKings to settle. The Colorado Avalanche do not yet have an official betting partner, and a foothold with the Rockies could make a deal with the Avs the next logical step.

As Colorado’s betting numbers reach new highest, look out for DraftKings to be at the top of those numbers soon.