Dan Patrick "has signed an endorsement deal with FanDuel," which will "support all the broadcaster’s media outlets," according to Terry Lefton in this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Patrick "is the company’s first big personality and spokesman." Competitor DraftKings "was an advertiser on Patrick’s radio show, which included live reads, but this is a more comprehensive relationship." The deal, "which sources said is seven figures and for three years plus options, will see FanDuel sponsor Patrick’s daily radio show, its TV simulcast on NBCSN, along with his 'Sports Jeopardy' show." Patrick "is expected to do radio and TV ads for FanDuel, and the deal affords Patrick an opportunity to buy equity in the daily fantasy site" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/7 issue). Meanwhile, in N.Y., Gregory Bresiger cited American Express' Spending & Saving Tracker data as showing that roughly 25% of the U.S. population, "including millions of women, are getting ready to play fantasy football." The company said that 74.7 million Americans "plan to participate in fantasy football this year," spending $4.6B. The Fantasy Sports Trade Association said that nearly 57 million people age 12 and above in the U.S. and Canada "played fantasy sports" in '14. Fantasy players "are projected to spend an average of $107 each on fantasy leagues." AmEx also "listed the most popular fantasy football league portals," with ESPN garnering 54%, Yahoo! Sports getting 40% and CBS Sports getting 29% (N.Y. POST, 9/6).
