Key Points

  • ESPN integrates DraftKings across betting and fantasy platforms
  • Real-time news and betting now live in one app
  • Deal could boost DraftKings’ U.S. market share

ESPN’s New Multi-Year Deal with DraftKings

ESPN has entered a new multi-year sports betting partnership with DraftKings, a move that company executives have described as a strong strategic fit for the network’s next phase in betting content.

In public comments, ESPN’s sports betting leadership spoke favorably about the collaboration, framing the deal as a key step in resetting and expanding the company’s approach to the betting market following its prior sportsbook arrangement.

What This Means for Users

The new partnership between ESPN and DraftKings began on December 1, 2025. As part of the agreement, DraftKings’ sportsbook, daily fantasy sports products, and Pick6 offerings will be integrated across ESPN’s digital platforms.

For users, ESPN’s betting tab within its app will now be powered by DraftKings’ odds and content, creating a more unified betting and fantasy sports experience. The deal follows the wind-down of ESPN’s previous partnership with PENN Entertainment and the ESPN Bet brand, signaling a strategic reset in how ESPN approaches the sports betting market.

According to Mike Morrison, who oversees ESPN’s sports betting and fantasy division, the company views its partnership with DraftKings as “the right deal, with the right partner at the right time.”

Integrating News and Betting into One Platform

The agreement brings together two major players in the sports and betting industries, a global sports media brand and one of the leading sportsbook operators, combining content, audience reach, and betting technology under a single strategic partnership.

Moreover, Morrison went on to state that the partnership allows the companies to complement each other with fast-moving breaking news. He pointed to the Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Dončić in February as an example of how certain betting content can enhance ESPN’s editorial coverage, noting that the Lakers’ championship odds improved sharply in futures markets within moments following the trade.

By integrating real-time betting markets alongside breaking sports news within the same platform, the partnership also streamlines how users respond to major developments. When significant trades, injuries, or lineup changes occur, users can move directly from the news to updated betting odds without switching apps or platforms, potentially allowing them to react more quickly to shifts in futures markets and game lines.

Potential Impact on DraftKings’ Market Position

The expanded distribution and visibility provided by ESPN’s platforms could strengthen DraftKings’ position in the highly competitive U.S. sports betting market, where FanDuel currently holds a leading share in many states.

With ESPN’s large, highly engaged audience now directly exposed to DraftKings odds, betting products, and fantasy offerings, the partnership may improve customer acquisition and retention for the sportsbook.

The integration of real-time sports news with betting markets could further enhance user engagement by creating a more seamless experience between content consumption and wagering activity.

By reducing friction between following a story and placing a bet, DraftKings may be better positioned to capture in-the-moment betting interest during major sporting events, trades, and injuries. This could be an advantage that could gradually translate into increased market share.