Posted on: June 24, 2023, 06:26h.
Final up to date on: June 24, 2023, 06:26h.
DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) and Fanatics are rivals within the sports activities betting universe — a lot in order that they’re each vying for PointsBet’s (OTC: PBTHF) US operations — however as soon as upon a time, the 2 corporations practically merged.
The New York Submit reported Friday that in early 2021, DraftKings and Fanatics had been in superior discussions concerning a merger equals that might have led to a $48 billion deal valuing every agency at $24 billion. Unidentified sources instructed the Submit that Fanatics founder, Chairman and CEO Michael Rubin scrapped the transaction on the 11th hour.
The precise timeline of the merger discussions wasn’t talked about within the article, however “early 2021” implies DraftKings and Fanatics had been speaking marriage simply months after the previous turned a standalone publicly traded firm and as DraftKings inventory was surging. The shares hit an all-time intraday of $74.38 in March 2021.
In the present day, Fanatics is valued at $31 billion in non-public markets whereas DraftKings sported a market capitalization of $11.71 billion on the shut of US markets on June 23.
PointsBet Might Be Epicenter of Robins, Rubin Rift
Given the above information factors, it may be argued that Rubin was proper to name off the merger and that DraftKings would have benefited from the transaction.
Sources instructed the Submit DraftKings CEO and co-founder Jason Robins wasn’t pleased with the scuttled merger and could also be going after PointsBet US to show a degree to Rubin. Final month, Fanatics supplied $150 million in money for PointsBet’s home operations, however DraftKings since swooped in with a $195 million all-cash bid.
Whereas PointsBet continues to suggest to buyers that they vote in favor of the unique provide, the Australian firm confirmed it should maintain talks with DraftKings and that the brand new suitor has till June 30 to make a binding provide.
Boston-based DraftKings controls roughly 30% of the US on-line sports activities wagering market and it’s operational in all the identical states as PointsBet. That may very well be an indication that purchasing PointsBet US is a luxurious, not a necessity.
Final Sunday, PointsBet mentioned it should demand a “hell or excessive water” settlement from DraftKings, which means the potential purchaser most undergo with the acquisition even when some state regulators balk at it. Sources instructed the Submit the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) may get entangled and doubtlessly rule in favor Fanatics beneath the auspices of not permitting DraftKings to hinder a smaller rival’s progress ambitions.
DraftKings, Fanatics Chirping at Every Different
Following DraftKings revealing its provide for PointsBet US, Rubin mentioned the bid is nothing greater than a transfer to forestall Fanatics from concluding the deal. He additionally questioned why DraftKings is paying a lot consideration to Fanatics Betting & Gaming (FBG), which presently is an upstart, bit participant on the US sports activities betting panorama.
DraftKings hasn’t mentioned that it’s purposefully attempting to dam Fanatics, however the latter is hoping to supply cell sports activities wagering in no less than a dozen states by the beginning of soccer season. Shopping for PointsBet US would assist with that purpose.
It’s additionally doable, as famous by the Submit, that DraftKings needs to maintain Fanatics out of New York. PointsBet has a license there and the state has no plans to situation extra sports activities wagering permits. Whereas New York’s sports activities betting taxes are the very best within the nation, operators take care of it as a result of there’s little probability California, Texas or Florida will approve cell wagering anytime quickly.
