Dallas Cowboys seals first NFL casino sponsorship
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says the WinStar casino will become the “official home” of the team
WinStar World Casino has signed the industry’s first NFL sponsorship deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
At a press conference, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team “takes great pride in aligning themselves with the best brands in the world”.
“It is a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder as partners with such a prominent entertainment brand like WinStar World Casino,” Jones added.
“We are excited about the future of gaming as it relates to the NFL.”
Sports betting is not yet legal in Oklahoma, despite a bill being introduced to the state legislature during the last session.
As part of the deal the venue will become the “official home” for the team.
It is the first major deal between a casino operator and the NFL, which has historically been staunchly anti-gambling.
A recent American Gaming Association (AGA) study revealed the NFL could see a $2.3bn boost in annual revenues on operator sponsorships, media rights, merchandise and ticket sales by 13%, producing $1.75bn in new revenue.
Thus far, only the NBA of the pro sports leagues has inked a direct partnership with an operator.