UFC and PokerStars, part of The Stars Group, have announced a new marketing partnership.
It will see PokerStars become the UFC’s first “official poker partner”, meaning the brand will enjoy a visible TV presence in the UFC Octagon® at UFC’s final Pay-Per-View event of 2018, UFC® 232: JONES vs. GUSTAFSSON 2, on 29 December. It will also benefit from digital, social media and other promotional activations.
The partnership with the combat sport is estimated to give the poker brand a potential reach of 1.1 billion TV households, covering more than 160 nations, in 40 languages.
Commenting on the deal, CMO Officer of Stars Interactive, a division of The Stars Group, Christopher Coyne, said:
“UFC and PokerStars have a lot in common. We want to thrill and entertain, both in our products and customer experience. UFC is the world’s leading MMA promoter with millions of fans and followers around the globe, while PokerStars is the heavyweight of online poker. It’s a classic combination.”
While UFC Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships, Paul Asencio, added:
“We’re excited PokerStars has joined our roster of global partners and has helped us create a new sponsorship category for our final event of 2018.”
Just two weeks ago The Stars Group also announced a partnership with the NBA (see THE STARS GROUP STRIKE FIRST US SPORTS DEAL WITH NBA).
(Photo: © Dimarik16 | Dreamstime.com)
