Jason Robins Highlights Strategic Value of ESPN Partnership: “Take This to a Whole New Level”
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins spoke with excitement about the company’s new exclusive, long-term strategic marketing deal with ESPN. During the Q3 2025 earnings call, Robins emphasized the unique value of the partnership, which he sees as going far beyond a typical advertising agreement. He focused on the depth of integration and ESPN’s ability to engage customers. The CEO ultimately stated that the collaboration has the potential to “take this to a whole new level.”
Strategic Reunion and Premier Brand
Robins stressed that the new deal represents a reunion with a long-time partner and offers access to the top brand in sports media.
On the long-term relationship:
“So first, very excited about this. I mean, as you noted, we’ve had a long relationship with ESPN back a decade plus ago in fantasy sports through the early days of sports betting and really happy to be reunited with them again in a long-term strategic deal.”
On ESPN’s market position:
“So one, as you know, they’re the premier sports brand in property.”
On broad media reach: ”
Between them and some of the others like NBCUniversal and Amazon that we have, we just have an unbelievable presence across sports media.”
Deeper Engagement and Digital Assets
The CEO highlighted that ESPN’s digital and content assets will be used to engage DraftKings’ existing customer base, not just acquire new ones.
On ESPN’s digital scale:
“I think with ESPN, though, as you said, they have an app. They have a fantasy database and app that is as big as anything in the world in that category.”
On multi-channel leverage:
“They just have so many different channels and brands and also great talent. Really, it’s going to be something that we leverage across all elements of what we do from the product to our marketing.”
On next-level customer engagement:
“I think having somebody that can not only help advertise as a partner and help bring in new customers, but can truly help you engage your existing customers, too, with things, yes, in their content, but also things that potentially can be integrated, like you mentioned the app on the digital side with product. I think that can just take this to a whole new level.”
The early signs of success were also noted, particularly in basketball. “In fact, early indicators suggest our NBA share is significantly higher than it was at this point last year,” Robins stated.
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