Racing fans may have noticed the addition of television channels carrying the “FanDuel” name to their cable or streaming service over the past month. While those new channels are not racing-centric, they could provide some small benefits to the sport in terms of exposure.
The changes on my streaming service are the addition of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and FanDuel Sports Network Extra. These channels are in addition to FanDuel TV, which primarily focuses on racing and was known as TVG until it was rebranded in 2022 when additional shows and sports betting information were added.
As for the added “sports network” channels? These have been added because last month FanDuel purchased the naming rights to Diamond Sports Group’s 16 regional sports networks in 31 states. Diamond Sports Group is in bankruptcy. The naming rights had been held by Bally’s.
The possible benefit for racing is that some of FanDuel TV’s programming could land on the regional networks. As an Oct. 21 release put it, there will be a “shared commitment to explore a unified (direct-to-consumer) app experience with the ability to syndicate FanDuel TV programming across FanDuel Sports Network, including studio programming such as “Up & Adams,” “Run It Back,” and FanDuel TV’s live rights programming.”
FanDuel, among the leading platforms in the fast-growing United States sports betting market, will enjoy linear and digital media placement and integration opportunities across all live NBA, NHL, and MLB games on FanDuel Sports Network. Besides the sports betting app, the company also offers FanDuel Racing, an app and website marketed to sports bettors that offers pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing (as well as its traditional site for pari-mutuel wagering, TVG.com). FanDuel has heavily marketed FanDuel Racing around big events such as the Kentucky Derby (G1).
“Partnering with Diamond provides us an opportunity to put the FanDuel brand at the intersection of the nation’s largest group of regional sports networks,” said Mike Raffensperger, president of FanDuel Sports, in a release. “A large cohort of FanDuel customers are devoted (regional sports network) viewers, and this agreement allows us to further cement the FanDuel brand with sports fans and provides a unique vehicle to reward our users.”
David Preschlack, CEO of Diamond, stated: “Collaborating with FanDuel provides a tremendous pathway for Diamond to elevate the fan experience and deepen the incremental value we provide for our team, league, and distribution partners. This partnership reinforces opportunities to further strengthen the close connection our RSNs have with local fans, including enhancing our (direct-to-consumer) offering for a growing digital audience. In the meantime, having finalized agreements with the NBA, NHL, and our key distributors, we remain focused on moving our business forward and driving value for our team partners and our stakeholders.”
SI.com recently reported that the regional sports networks currently show local games for 13 NBA franchises and eight NHL teams. It said that for the 2025 season, Diamond’s baseball portfolio remains uncertain, as the company has dropped the local rights for three teams, with their games to be produced and distributed by MLB. One team that has reconfirmed its deal with Diamond is the Miami Marlins, which was confirmed Oct. 18. The Marlins join the Atlanta Braves as the only MLB teams committed to Diamond for next season.
