Fubo Gaming achieved a first for the operator Thursday, signing a partnership with a Major League Soccer club.
The New York-based operator will partner with the Houston Dynamo of the MLS and Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League — becoming the official sports betting partner of both squads.
The pact is the first for both clubs and represents Fubo Gaming’s first foray into professional soccer. Fubo Gaming and the Dynamo agree to partner up should the state of Texas legalize sports betting. But that could be a long way off. Sports betting isn’t currently on the horizon in the state, and the Texas Legislature doesn’t meet again until Jan. 2023.
Fubo Gaming joined the Arizona betting apps market in late December.
Houston Dynamo FC president John Walker said in a press release Thursday the club’s pact with Fubo Gaming represents the next step in growing the MLS in the Lone Star State.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward for our club, and I am proud to welcome FuboTV and Fubo Gaming to the Dynamo and Dash family,” Walker said in the press release. “Fubo Gaming is at the forefront of the sports gaming industry and will be leaders in shaping how we enjoy sports in the years to come. We look forward to working with their industry experts to deliver best-in-class experiences for our fans and continually improve the fan experience as the landscape evolves.”
What the Dyamo-Fubo Gaming Partnership Entails
The deal signed between the Dynamo/Dash and Fubo Gaming allows the operator to put its name on team-related ads and other marketing material.
It also allows Fubo Gaming to put its image on team broadcasts and podcasts, in addition to marketing spots on the Dynamo and Dash’s social media channels.
Fubo Gaming receives naming rights to the northeast gate entrance to PNC Stadium, which is where both teams play, and prominent logo placement within the stadium.
The company also will get its logo on the Dynamo and Dash’s training tops. This deal plays into Fubo Gaming President Scott Butera’s vision for the company, which debuted in Iowa before joining the Arizona sports gambling market.
“Partnering with the Houston Dynamo Football Club for market access in Texas is a major milestone for Fubo,” Butera said in the press release. “Texas has an incredibly enthusiastic community of sports fans and will ultimately become one of the largest sports betting markets in the U.S. In addition, our comprehensive partnership with the Dynamo, which encompasses numerous assets and levels of fan engagement, allows Fubo Gaming to maximize its uniquely integrated streaming and wagering platform and furthers our goal of offering highly personalized and immersive experiences.”
How Partnership Opens up Soccer Market
Fubo Gaming and its streaming service counterpart, FuboTV, have made it clear soccer is front and center for the company.
FuboTV landed the rights to exclusively air Premier League matches in Canada earlier this month and has a long tie to the beautiful game, according to Butera.
Butera told BetArizona.com in December the operator hopes to use its strong soccer connections in states with large Latino population centers, such as Arizona and Texas, to grow the company’s betting operation.
“For us, in particular, because of the geographic location and the ability to really market some of our soccer packages in Latin America, you’re sort of an entrée into Southern America, which is really important to us,” Butera told BetArizona.com in December about launching in Arizona. “That’s why [Arizona’s] our second state, and our biggest state so far. And strategically, there's a lot to like about the state, and I think the early returns are showing just how strong Arizona can be.”
Fubo Gaming’s deal with the Dynamo and Dash is the company’s third, along with pacts with the New York Jets of the NFL and Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA.
Butera made it clear during December’s launch the operator sees soccer as a great partnership opportunity, allowing the company to serve its most loyal customers.
“Arizona is a market where we have very strong family presence and are very well known. We cover all the sports — 50,000 plus events a year,” Butera said. “We have a strong soccer following, and we have a Latin American package. And from a geographic standpoint, it makes a lot of sense for us.”
Fubo Sportsbook just kicked off a start-up promotion in Arizona, offering new customers up to a $1,000 free bet and one month free of FuboTV.
