The Vegas Golden Knights has opted to terminate its sponsorship agreement with sports betting tout service UpickTrade.
Earlier in February, it was announced that the Knights would become the first National Hockey League (NHL) team up with a Mexico-based company, and the deal was also earmarked as the first collaboration between a professional North American sports team and a sports betting recommendation company.
However, the NHL club has called time on the partnership just days after the deal went live between the two parties.
The franchise released a statement which read: “The Vegas Golden Knights have ended their sponsorship agreement with UpickTrade. The organisation will not have additional comments on the matter at this time.”
The partnership, described as a ‘historic moment’ by UpickTrade CEO, Carlos Lazo Reyes, saw the company named as the official picks service partner of the Golden Knights, receiving exposure on the team’s official website and social media channels, along with an in-venue presence at the T-Mobile Arena.
In response to the news, an UpickTrade spokesperson told ESPN that the firm was in ‘shock’ at the decision to terminate the partnership.
The controversial collaboration came under criticism from leaders in the sports betting industry, including bookmakers and problem gambling experts, along with members of the franchise’s fanbase.
Concerns were raised that UpickTrade would offer picks on the Knights and that the firm would have access to injury information or changes to the lineup directly from the team, although it confirmed that would not be the case.
