Detroit Pistons team with FanDuel, DraftKings on sports betting

The Detroit Pistons announced today an official sports betting partnership with FanDuel and DraftKings, two leads in daily fantasy and sports gambling. The deal will include a robust marketing relationship between the entities — expect to see plenty of segment sponsorships, in-arena signage and commercials in your future.

With sports betting exploding all over the country, Michigan and the NBA have both been proactive in trying to set the stage for what seems like what those C-Suite execs call a market segment growth opportunity.

The idea here is to allow the sports betting companies promotional windows and access to team name and likeness information while the Pistons get another way to facilitate engagement with fans. Also, I assume everyone plans on making money out of this whole deal.

Also included in the partnership is MotorCity Casino Hotel, home to a newly designed FanDuel Sportsbook in downtown Detroit. There is a promise of “exciting game day experiences” including giveaways, exclusive viewing parties and other enhanced sports betting experiences.

Meanwhile, the partnership with DraftKings promises a “Piston For a Day” VIP experience with winners getting a one-day “Pistons Contract” (sure), a personalized jersey, warm-up gear, a locker room tour, a shot on the Little Caesars Arena Court and access to the practice court at the Pistons Performance Center.

I’m not much of a gambler, like, at all, so I don’t ever really see issues with the NBA or the Pistons getting enmeshed into the lucrative sports gambling and daily fantasy space. People seem to enjoy it so more power to them.

That being said, I can understand if this is not everybody’s cup of tea. And if you or someone you know has an issue with gambling, you can turn to the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-00-270-7117.