NHL Strikes Partnership with Penn Entertainment’s ESPN Bet and theScore Bet 

The National Hockey League (NHL) has experienced a massive shift in its partnership landscape. Two of America’s most prominent sports betting names, Penn Entertainment’s ESPN Bet and theScore Bet, have declared collaboration. Undoubtedly, this move means a great deal for both industries. 

In this article, we look deeper at the possible outcomes of the partnership between Penn Entertainment, the Score Bet, and the NHL. We discuss what the partnership deal holds for the sports and gambling industry going forward. Let’s dive in! 

An Overview of the Partnership Between the Sports Betting Giants and NHL 

The arrangement between Penn’s Entertainment ESPN bet and NHL means access to several entitlements, including IP rights, media and marketing integrations across League programming, and premium NHL experiences. After all parties involved reached an agreement, time was not spared. The new arrangement with the NHL started immediately and is expected to span the entire season. 

About Penn Entertainment 

Penn Entertainment and its subsidiaries are well-rooted in the entertainment industry. They are America’s leading provider of all sports content, casino experiences, and other things. The entertainment giant is legal in over 18 states and knows how to leverage collaborations. 

In August 2023, Penn Entertainment entered a highly rewarding, elite alliance with ESPN. As it stands, Penn Entertainment has alliances with ESPN and theScore. The company struck alliances with top sports media outlets, ESPN in the USA and the Score in Canada. Using partnerships with both media outlets, Penn hopes to develop a client base that expands its digital reach. 

About NHL 

The National Hockey League dates over a century back. The association was founded in 1917 and currently has 32 member clubs. The league also includes many top countries coming together to contend for the revered Stanley Cup. Every year, the sport entertains almost 690 million on television and radio. There are also about 190 million following via social media and 100 million through the website. 

Excitement over the New Partnership 

NHL is massively excited over the potential of the partnership. Undoubtedly, the collaboration offers a lot of room to expand and create a profitable space for responsible gamblers. 

“There’s definite excitement in being one of the first leagues to partner with ESPN Bet and Penn,” said the NHL vice-president of business development, Jason Jazayeri. “From day one we’ve said our media rights deal with ESPN and The Walt Disney Company has been a big win for our fans and our league and this new collaboration is further testament to the value of our partnership.”

“The NHL is younger, faster and more exciting than ever. It delivers tremendous opportunity for fan engagement and responsible gaming experiences. We’re looking forward to working with ESPN Bet and theScore Bet to engage our passionate fan base.”

The partnership between the NHL, ESPN BET, and PENN Entertainment banks on the benefits of its media rights deal with the Walt Disney Company and ESPN. This alliance aims to improve fan engagement and promote responsible gaming experiences. 

The Implications of the NHL Partnership 

The recent NHL partnership is set to change the world of sports and sports betting as we know it. However, how will that happen? Annihilating the risk of sounding ambiguous, here are some of the potential aftereffects of the partnership: 

Forging A Symbiotic Relationship 

As theScore Bet and Penn Entertainment agree to work side-by-side, there is a lot to be won by both sides. The NHL gains more revenue by increasing fan engagement, and Penn Entertainment takes more sports bettors. Both parties exchange the benefits they hold. 

Penn Entertainment and theScore Bet also generate new ways to integrate betting into the NHL experience. This synergy pushes the boundary for a much more robust and long-lasting relationship. Aubrey Levy, Penn Interactive’s senior vice president, spoke on the new deal: 

“The recent launch of ESPN Bet in the US is extremely exciting,” Levy said. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the NHL to help market our new sports betting experience. 

“Becoming an official partner allows us to more broadly engage hockey fans, develop compelling integrations and uniquely leverage NHL programming. This is also a key partnership for theScore Bet in Ontario, where the popularity of hockey is unmatched.”

Massive Support for ESPN Bet Launch 

The NHL partnership adds energy to the ESPN Bet fire that’s already going strong. Upon its launch on November 17, 2023, ESPN Bet bagged an audience of 200 million. The ESPN Net is also available in 17 states of the USA. 

Currently, ESPN is the biggest sports media brand in the US. ESPN Bet remains the sports media sportsbook, and the NHL partnership is already picking up steam. The partnership can be what ESPN Bet needs to reach a wider audience. 

Future Prospects 

As Penn Entertainment and theScore Bet forge alliances with the NHL, the ripple effects will spread further beyond the hockey arena. As a way to run up the article, we go over how this seemingly simple move can make a significant impact on the industry as we know it today: 

• Impact on Other Big Leagues: The step that Penn Entertainment and theScore Bet have taken will be a precedent for other top leagues. More leagues will consider forging alliances with reputable sportsbooks. 
•  Better Fan Experience: Integrating Penn Entertainment and theScore Bet into the NHL means the league can include sports betting during games. This pastime can be an interactive way to get drawn in and improve the spectator experience. 
• A Change in Perception of Sportsbetting: As more leagues follow suit and prioritize sportsbook collaboration, the public image of sports betting will change. Rather than an unhealthy addiction, it becomes an inseparable part of the sports experience. 
• More Revenue: The NHL stands to gain massively from its alliance with the sportsbooks. The collaboration has unlocked multiple possible revenue streams for the league. The league might be more aligned with the sportsbooks, offering a new, different means of revenue generation beyond broadcast and the typical sponsorship deals.