DraftKings has recently announced a collaboration with the NBA for the 2023-2024 NBA season, with a brand-new hoops apparel collection. The collaboration, which includes hats, t-shirts and hoodies, will feature original prints that mesh the NBA-licensed team logos with the gold crown logo associated with DraftKings, with multiple colors and shirt cuts for buyers to choose from.
As of writing, these items are currently available online via pre-order and will become available for in-person purchase at various pop-up events across select cities.
The collaboration marks the first time co-branded merchandise has been created between the NBA and an official sports betting partner, with DraftKings Co-Founder Matt Kalish saying, “Through our longstanding relationship with the NBA, we were able to tap into the passion that millions of DraftKings customers have… There is a strong affinity toward DraftKings’ signature crown logo and combining that with one-of-a-kind designs that feature NBA teams, allows us to further connect with the lifestyle of our customers.”
This is not the first time an online sportsbook has created official merchandise, however. Earlier this year, licensed sporting apparel brand Fanatics opened its Betting and Gaming division and marked the occasion with its ‘Fanatics Jersey Drop,’ which offered fans who placed a bet of a certain amount with its new sportsbook the opportunity to get their hands on team merchandise.
However, unlike Fanatics which began as a sports apparel company that went into sports betting, DraftKings has taken the reverse approach, and does not require buyers to bet with the platform to purchase merchandise from the collaboration.
The collaboration is set to drop November 2, and according to DraftKings intends to add additional pieces throughout the season. This is set to include collaborations with several sports lifestyle brands as well as additional products, allowing fans who miss out on this first drop to participate further down the line.
