Austin FC has signed an agreement which titles PointsBet, an online gaming operator, naming the firm a founding partner of the club in a bid to boost engagement with the club.
This is the first Major League Soccer (MLS) team to have been sponsored by PointsBet, and the collaboration promises giveaways, promotional sweepstakes, and events throughout the term.
Andy Loughnane, President of Austin FC, commented: “PointsBet has emerged as a leader in a competitive and coveted landscape in sports. We are honored that PointsBet has chosen to strategically align with Austin FC and Major League Soccer.”
As founding partner and sports betting partner, PointsBet will receive brand integration at Austin FC’s new Q2 Stadium whilst securing naming rights to the ‘PointsBet Sports Bar’ currently operating as a public bar during ticketed events.
The long-term agreement spans the gaming category, including retail and online sports betting, daily fantasy, and free-to-play games.
Johnny Aitken, CEO of PointsBet USA, said: “Austin FC has excited global soccer fans and is setting a new standard for what it means to deliver for their supporters and their community by putting a laser-focus on experience.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing in the sports betting industry, and we simply couldn’t be more thrilled to align with the club in its inaugural season as a Founding Partner.”
PointsBet will receive full usage of Austin FC IP, marks, and logos, in addition to other sponsorship opportunities and brand visibility across linear and digital assets.
Although this marks the Australian betting and gaming operator’s debut in the MLS, the firm is well established in the US sports space, having secured a partnership with the National Football League (NFL) in August 2021.
“We look forward to a future when our groundbreaking technology will be in the hands of Austin FC’s passionate and tech savvy fanbase,” Aitkin added.Further strategic bids for an engagement promotion saw the creation of the Q2 Stadium early this year, which has been designed as a multipurpose venue, including usage for other professional and amateur sporting events outside of soccer, concerts, community activities, cultural events and private functions such as corporate meetings and weddings.
