DraftKings reaches deal with WNBA's Liberty, Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK -- DraftKings has reached a long-term marketing partnership with Madison Square Garden and also will be the marquee partner of the WNBA's New York Liberty, it was announced Thursday.

The daily fantasy sports gambling site will have significant brand exposure at the arena.

DraftKings will be the marquee partner of the New York Liberty and will have its logo appear on the team's home and road uniforms and shooting shirts. The site will also have its logo in front of the benches.

"DraftKings is a leader in daily fantasy sports and has been at the forefront of offering fans new ways to connect with their favorite teams and players on a nightly basis," said Ron Skotarczak, executive vice president, marketing partnerships, The Madison Square Garden Company. "We are thrilled to welcome them to our industry-leading group of MSG Signature Partners and as the new marquee partner of the Liberty. We look forward to providing them with a platform that connects the fantasy sports destination with our teams' loyal and passionate fan bases."

Eight of the 12 teams in the WNBA have sponsorships on their uniform. Foxwoods Casino was on the Liberty's jerseys from 2010 until 2012, when the deal ran out.

DraftKings will also get significant brand exposure at MSG for all Knicks, Rangers and Liberty games as well as the NBDL's Westchester Knicks. The company will become a title partner of a lounge at the Garden that will open this fall.

"The Madison Square Garden Company's outstanding lineup of world-renowned teams and properties makes this an ideal partnership for us," said Jason Robins, chief executive officer and co-founder of DraftKings. "We couldn't be more excited to have a brand-new DraftKings Fantasy Lounge at the world's most famous arena, where we will continue to provide our DraftKings community with the best of the best in innovative and exclusive experiences for years to come."

While DraftKings will be on the Liberty's jerseys, the site has no immediate plans to start offering daily fantasy games on the WNBA. But the company is still looking into potentially including the women's basketball league.

"We are always exploring new sports offerings for DraftKings and the WNBA is definitely a product that we are looking into for the future," Robbins wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

The league starts its 19th season on Friday.