Caesars signs partnership deal with under-construction Raiders stadium in Las Vegas

November 1, 2018 2:45 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports
November 1, 2018 2:45 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports

Caesars Entertainment Corp. has become the first casino company to sign a partnership deal with the under-construction $1.8 billion Las Vegas Stadium, which will house the NFL’s now-Oakland Raiders starting in 2020.

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The team is developing the 65,000-seat domed stadium near the Las Vegas Strip and will move to Southern Nevada, becoming the Las Vegas Raiders.

Partnerships between sports franchises and casino-gaming are quickly becoming commonplace. On Wednesday, MGM Resorts International became the “official gaming partner” of the NFL’s New York Jets. Previously, the Dallas Cowboys and the WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma and the Baltimore Ravens and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore signed partnership arrangements.

On Tuesday, Caesars said it would build a 5,000-square-foot restaurant and bar on the main concourse of Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center, home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Caesars also has a marketing deal with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.

According to a statement Thursday, the partnership is the first between the Raiders and a casino-hospitality company. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal allows Caesars Entertainment to provide certain customers and Total Rewards members access to a customized Caesars-branded owners suite at the stadium’s 50-yard line, VIP dinners on the field, training facility events, fantasy camp participation, stadium tours, and tickets to home games and most stadium events.

“Sports have long been a core part of the Caesars experience,” said Chris Holdren, the company’s chief marketing officer. “With this deep partnership, Caesars will become an essential part of the game time ritual for Raiders fans everywhere.”

As a founding partner, Caesars Entertainment will host a branded stadium entrance and drop off zone, digital signage, media, radio and print assets in addition to alumni, player and cheerleader appearances.

“The Raiders are proud to welcome Caesars Entertainment as a founding partner of Las Vegas Stadium,” said Marc Badain, President of the Raiders. “We are honored to align with a company that shares the Raiders’ values of improving the local community and delivering exceptional customer service in creating this transformative project.”

Since the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May, legal sports wagering has expanded to five states beyond Nevada. In addition, there has been a softening in opposition to sports betting by the major sports leagues.

MGM Resorts International has marketing and data-share agreements with the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association.

Las Vegas Stadium is located on the west side of Interstate 15 across the highway from Mandalay Bay. In addition the Raiders, the stadium will be home to the UNLV football team and host college football bowl games, other sporting events and concerts.

Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgamingreports.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.