DraftKings National Study Uncovers New Realities of Sports Fans Ahead of Top League Returns
July 20 2020 - 1:36PM
As major U.S. sports leagues gear up to resume this summer and
anticipation intensifies, DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) today
revealed findings from its national consumer study of American
sports fans, including how an overwhelming
78 percent are
willing to sacrifice traditional aspects of sports if it means a
return to play. In a nationally representative survey of
over 1,000 self-identified American sports fans, DraftKings
examined the perspectives and adaptations of modern fandom as a
direct result of the novel coronavirus.
“With over half of respondents having reported missing sports
during the resultant hiatus, fans across the country are inarguably
eager for the return of their favorite leagues and teams, albeit
with largely adjusted expectations as exemplified by our latest
findings,” said Matt Kalish, co-founder and president, DraftKings
North America. “By deepening our understanding of the American fan
through data and leveraging the technology of our platform, we are
better able to adjust and serve the new experience of sports fans
throughout the U.S.”
When the U.S. began its battle against the COVID-19 outbreak in
early spring, major sports leagues were among the first
organizations to put a hold on normal course of business in the
interest of safety. In doing so, 56 percent of respondents
reported taking developments around COVID-19 more
seriously. Following league suspensions, however, sports
fans across the country were hungry for related content and looked
toward alternative events, leagues, and teams to follow. As a
result, over one in four American fans began following a
new sport, and 67 percent plan to continue following said sport
even as more prominent leagues resume. eSports (40
percent) stand as the most popular newly followed sport trailed by
international soccer (34 percent), MMA (32 percent) along with golf
and international baseball (tied at 31 percent).
Among upcoming season relaunches and debuts, 64 percent
of American fans say the NBA is their most highly-anticipated sport
to watch again, followed by MLB Opening Day at 48 percent.
Both leagues are slated to start later this month, and findings
indicated approximately 66 percent of fans feel it
important for live sports to return before September while 39
percent believe the return to play is occurring too
soon.
In-game attendance, one of the biggest attractions when it comes
to live sports, marks a notable point of division as fans are mixed
on the matter. One out of five respondents do not plan to
be in-stadium until a cure for the virus is identified,
citing concerns around fan compliance with established protocol
including wearing a mask and maintaining an acceptable social
distance.
With the industry moving
forward and pivoting to new season formats, sports fans intend to
engage with their favorite teams from the comfort and safety of
their homes: over half of those surveyed do not anticipate a change
in how they will watch live sports; 35 percent are in favor of home
viewership as opposed to attending live events while wearing masks
and social distancing. Additionally, 60 percent plan to continue
consumption through traditional cable television while 40 percent
will access live feeds by way of in-app streaming services.
When asked which sports they are likely to watch live
post-COVID-19, respondents said NFL despite the adjusted schedule
format.
Full study findings and methodology are available here.
About DraftKings
DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) is a digital sports entertainment
and gaming company created to fuel the competitive spirits of
sports fans with products that range across daily fantasy,
regulated gaming and digital media. Headquartered in Boston, and
launched in 2012 by Jason Robins, Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman,
DraftKings is the only U.S.-based vertically integrated sports
betting operator. DraftKings is a multi-channel provider of sports
betting and gaming technologies, powering sports and gaming
entertainment for 50+ operators across more than 15 regulated U.S.
and global markets, including Arkansas and Oregon in the U.S.
DraftKings’ Sportsbook offers mobile and retail betting for major
U.S. and international sports and operates in the United States
pursuant to regulations in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West
Virginia. DraftKings’ daily fantasy sports product is available in
8 countries internationally with 15 distinct sports categories.
DraftKings is the official daily fantasy partner of the NFL as well
as an authorized gaming operator of the MLB and NBA.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release are “forward looking
statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
When used in this press release, the words “estimates,”
“projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,”
“intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,”
“propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or
the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or
results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of
which are outside DraftKings’ control, that could cause actual
results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional
risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ
from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see
DraftKings’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings. DraftKings
does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Media Contactmedia@draftkings.com
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