DraftKings on Thursday said it has tapped MLB legend Cal Ripken Jr. to be a special advisor to its board of directors.
The company said in a statement Ripken will lend strategic insights to the board and to its CEO on key company initiatives. As part of the deal, Ripken will become a DraftKings equity holder.
Ripken enjoyed a Hall of Fame career and is best known for surpassing a record many thought to be unbreakable: Lou Gehrig’s mark of 2,130 consecutive games played. Ripken had to play in every game for 13 seasons to break the record in 1995. He then added another 501 straight games before finally sitting out, pushing the streak to 2,632 consecutive games and earning the nickname “Iron Man.”
It should be noted Ripken did much more than simply show up. He is one of only 10 players in MLB history to have more than 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. He helped lead his team to a World Series Championship, won two AL MVP Awards, two AL All-Star Game MVP Awards, two Gold Gloves, made 19 All-Star Game appearances and captured eight Silver Slugger Awards.
Since retiring from baseball after the 2001 season, Ripken has become an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and corporate speaker.
DraftKings said Ripken will advise on company strategy, product development and marketing activities.
Ripken will begin just in time for 2021 MLB Opening Day, the company added.
“Cal Ripken Jr. embodies the qualities of perseverance and integrity we value so highly at DraftKings, and on behalf of the entire company I want to extend our warmest welcome to him as a special advisor,” said Jason Robins, CEO and co-founder of DraftKings. “We are inspired not only by Cal’s historic playing days, but also his current work to cultivate new generations of ballplayers. His unique combination of leadership, longevity and business acumen ensures that we will receive invaluable strategic counsel.”
Ripken added: “The game I played for so many years has greatly benefitted from technological advances, and I cannot say enough about DraftKings’ importance as a catalyst, innovator and disruptor to enhance the game for modern baseball fans and others.”
