First US Sports Teams Enter Sponsorship Deal with Party Poker

The first American teams to sign a sponsorship deal with an online gambling company are NBA team the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. Currently operating in the New Jersey market, Bwin Party Digital Entertainment subsidiary Party Poker secured the deal with the two teams. “This is our flag in the ground that we do things differently,” said Scott O'Neil, the chief executive of the teams. “We're looking for ground-breaking opportunities with companies willing to take chances.” “We have this moment in time that allows a company like ours, which is unique, which frames New Jersey, a pretty incredible opportunity,” O'Neil said. According to an NBA spokesperson, “As long as the gambling site doesn't include sports gambling or sports betting it's now allowed within our rules.”