D
raftKings and national entertainment concept, Sports & Social, announced Thursday a new partnership to create upscale Sports & Social/DraftKings sports bars beginning in Nashville (Tennessee) and Detroit (Michigan) markets, pending regulatory approvals.
The collaboration brings together Sports & Social’s market, operating dining and entertainment venues with DraftKings’ sports gaming platforms. Sports & Social is part of Live! Dining and Entertainment, a food-and-beverage-focused division of The Cordish Companies.
The specific locations of Sports & Social/DraftKings venues have yet to be announced. The venues for this integration will be designed by ICRAVE, an international design and development firm. However, the concept has not yet been approved by the respective state regulators. In Tennessee, brick-and-mortar gambling venues are prohibited, the only state to allow sports gaming solely on online platforms. Therefore, patrons of Sports & Social/DraftKings sports bars in Nashville would only be able to place wagers online using personal mobile devices.
Chief business officer at DraftKings Ezra Kucharz spoke in a press release about this new project. “Today, so much of sports betting is focused on the mobile-technology aspect.. However, the in-person experience is an integral layer we look forward to advancing, alongside Sports & Social’s premier dining and entertainment offerings”, he said.
If the concept is approved by regulators, DraftKings plans to “bring our world-class products to life by offering engaging, interactive and fan-first destinations to skin-in-the game customers”.
Principal of The Cordish Companies, Reed Cordish, also reflected on this new alliance. “DrafKings is an industry leader in sports betting and entertainment and we are incredibly excited to work with them to bring this new experience to life” he stated. “We are always looking to create new and innovative experiences for our guests and this collaboration will allow us an exciting opportunity to do so, bringing an incredible premier sports-watching experience with sports betting all under one roof.”.
Sports & Social currently operates several locations near sports stadiums, entertainment districts and casinos throughout the nation, including in Atlanta, St. Louis, Arlington, Texas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the Baltimore/Washington corridor.
