It’s no secret that Entercom Communications has an outsized role as a purveyor of Sports Talk programming, thanks to its ownership of such stations as WFAN-AM & FM in New York and WAXY-AM “The Ticket 790” in Miami-Fort Lauderdale.
Now, it’s betting that a just-signed partnership designating FanDuel as its official sportsbook partner will bring further riches to its linear and digital audio platform.
Entercom and FanDuel agreed to a six-year partnership, which includes both Entercom’s broadcast radio stations and the Radio.com platform.
The partnership, Entercom said, represents a new model between a sports gaming operator and sports media platform. As part of the deal, Entercom listeners will have access to FanDuel odds, insight and promotion, delivered by Entercom on-air stations and personalities.
Entercom and FanDuel will also collaborate on in-depth integrations and co-produce content that will pioneer the industry with all-new formats.
Terms call for FanDuel to receive “preferred and increased category” access to all Entercom talent in every market where Entercom and FanDuel both operate.
FanDuel was represented in the conversation by AdResults Media.
“Entercom has revolutionized the audio and entertainment industries and we’re beyond excited to be their preferred partner in the sports betting and fantasy categories,” said FanDuel CEO Matthew King. “In the two years we have been doing business with Entercom, it is abundantly clear to us that their authentic connection to sports fans is one of the best ways for us to engage FanDuel customers. We will work together to offer sports fans access to information wherever, whenever, and however they consume content, providing them with the tools to learn and win.”
Entercom President/CEO David Field added that, to his recollection, “this is the largest advertising commitment ever made within the radio industry.”
Speaking of the sports betting marketplace, Field noted that it is “growing exponentially.” As such, “FanDuel is an ideal partner to take full advantage of the influence and reach of Entercom’s robust sports platforms to deliver an even better, audio sports experience to our listeners.”
Entercom owns and operates 39 Sports stations across the U.S., including WIP-FM 94.1 in Philadelphia and WSCR-AM 670 “The Score” in Chicago.
The FanDuel deal comes as Craig Carton, one of the nation’s most recognizable Sports Talk hosts, will on Nov. 9 return to WFAN in New York as the afternoon co-host. He will be heard alongside co-host Evan Roberts, weekdays from 2-7pm and succeeds longtime WFAN host Joe Benigno, who on Wednesday announced his retirement.
Carton spent a decade at WFAN, joining the station in 2007. His tenure at the radio station ended after he was arrested in September 2017 on charges of securities fraud and wire fraud. On April 5, 2018 Carton was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison and ordered to make restitution of $4.8 million; he reported to a minimum security facility in June 2019 and was released just over one year later.
