For a league that seemingly wanted nothing to do with Las Vegas not all that long ago, the NFL suddenly can’t get enough of Sin City.
On Thursday, the NFL announced that it has signed a partnership with Caesars Entertainment, which is the league’s first official casino partner. As sports business reporter Darren Rovell notes, the NFL is still “against” sports gambling, so the deal does not include anything related to that area.
JUST IN: Caesars signs on as first ever official casino sponsor of the NFL. Since the NFL is still against sports gambling under current law which allows states to make their own decisions and legislation, deal does not include sports betting, daily fantasy or any data rights.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 3, 2019
With the Oakland Raiders soon moving to Las Vegas and the 2020 NFL Draft expected to be held there, the NFL-Caesars partnership is not a surprise. There were still plenty of great reactions to the news on Twitter, however.
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 3, 2019
Prediction: lawsuits in states where sports betting is illegal, trying to force stadiums and broadcasters to cover up Caesars ads and logos during NFL games
— David Martosko (@dmartosko) January 3, 2019
The NFL now has a casino sponsor. Caesars Entertainment. And the Raiders are moving to Vegas in 2020. Crazy. I can't wait for the Giants to move to Atlantic City. #sarcasm
— Paul R. La Monica (@LaMonicaBuzz) January 3, 2019
The NFL has announced a partnership with Caesars as the league’s official casino sponsor. pic.twitter.com/vrkrVt1UsZ
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) January 3, 2019
I'm glad the NFL isn't treating gambling like an unforgivable sin anymore. I will also always point out the level of hypocrisy involved, once the league figured out this was another revenue stream. https://t.co/PBikS3gBJT
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) January 3, 2019
We saw similar reactions when the NFL announced that the 2020 draft will be in Vegas, but this is reality now. The NFL has found a new revenue stream, and it is going to be a game-changer for the league and its owners.
