Hall of Famer, Emmy Award-winning Turner Sports Analyst, and known sports bettor Charles Barkley entered into an exclusive content partnership with FanDuel to be their spokesperson and brand ambassador.
As a result of the new deal, Sir Charles will be creating content in various ways for FanDuel. Barkley will appear in his new role starting on Tuesday night, when TNT broadcasts a two-hour pre-game show before a doubleheader on the opening night of the NBA’s 2020-2021 season.
“The Inside the NBA crew and I really enjoyed working with FanDuel during last season’s playoffs and I’m grateful to now be their brand ambassador,” said Barkley. “FanDuel helps our show be more informative and interactive, and they do it in a way that any knucklehead could understand. So even if your team is down by 20 in the fourth quarter, with FanDuel you’ll have a reason to keep watching.”
If you’ve followed the Round Mound of Rebound through the years, you know he isn’t a stranger to betting.
In October, he recounted losing $100,000 betting on the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI on “The Dan Patrick Show” when the New England Patriots had their insane comeback from a 28-3 deficit to win in overtime.
The momentum for this partnership picked up steam earlier this year when Barkley and FanDuel collaborated on the “Charles Barkley Guarantee.” During these bits, Barkley would offer his picks on NBA games via Turner programming.
The segments immediately became social media sensations, mostly in part because Barkley’s track record was, to use his own famous words, “turrible.” Viewers and his fellow studio co-hosts would endlessly jab him when his predictions were incorrect, which happened frequently. Of course, Chuck took it all in stride, which is why he is one of the best in the business.
“Charles has been with the Turner Sports family for more than 20 years, bringing his unique flair, personality and predictions to our ‘NBA on TNT’ telecasts,” said Will Funk, executive vice president for sports partnerships and branded content, Turner Sports. “We look forward to featuring him in engaging FanDuel brand integrations on Turner Sports’ and Bleacher Report’s NBA programming.”
FanDuel will be running a series of “Jolly Ol’ Saint Chuck” promotions for both its sportsbook and daily fantasy sites during the holiday season, including “Barkley Boosts” and other Christmas-themed offerings.
“Charles Barkley is an American sports icon, a television legend and gaming royalty, so he’s the perfect person to ring in the holidays for our customers,” said Mike Raffensperger, Chief Marketing Officer of FanDuel Group. “For the next few years, we look forward to amplifying his voice and adding Barkley’s one of a kind personality will continue to differentiate FanDuel and make sports betting fun for everyone.”
Barkley is the fifth content creator/ media personality to enter into an exclusive content arrangement with FanDuel, joining former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee, Worldwide Wob, Cousin Sal, and JJ Zachariason. FanDuel has also formed exclusive sports betting partnerships with blue chip media companies like Turner Sports, Bleacher Report, The Ringer, SportsGrid, Entercom and Minute Media.