When John Skipper and Dan Le Batard announced the January 2021 formation of their content company, Meadowlark Media, Skipper said “first order of business will be to find Dan a new home for his wildly popular audio programs.” They found that home today with DraftKings. The digital sports gaming company announced a content distribution, monetization and sponsorship agreement with Meadowlark Media.
Draftkings will distribute The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and the Le Batard & Friends Network across a range of audio, TV, digital and social channels. Additionally, the network of shows will prominently feature DraftKings’ odds, betting trends and general sportsbook and daily fantasy information.
“We’re thrilled to find a collaborator in DraftKings that shares our vision to grow Dan Le Batard’s already wildly popular network of shows in non-conventional ways. With the freedom to widely distribute these programs, we’ll be able to reach the largest possible audience and provide incredible content to DraftKings.”
Meadowlark Media CEO John Skipper
“John Skipper and Dan Le Batard have established a deep roster of content creators that will continue to expand quality and original programming. Our relationship with Meadowlark Media demonstrates DraftKings’ dynamic approach in bringing premium content to skin-in-the-game sports fans through numerous channels.”
Jason Robins, CEO, co-founder and chairman, DraftKings
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, which departed ESPN Radio on January 4, will continue to be available as a podcast as well. The show has been a top podcast on Apple’s charts.
”Thank you, DraftKings, for empowering us with the exhilarating combination of rocket fuel and total freedom. I’m overjoyed to team with a fearless creative partner who sees the future and wants to help us change it. DraftKings believed in us, our principles and our mission enough to give us a freedom no scared corporation or traditional media partner ever could or ever would. To our fans, know that DraftKings is the reason you aren’t behind a paywall, and I’m promising you the money won’t change the show or corrupt us in any way. Sincerely, Draft Le Batard.”
Dan Le Batard
The Miami Herald was told that DraftKings is spending about $40 million on a three year deal. The Herald hears that Sirius was “pushing hard, offering tens of millions in money and pitching the Le Batard Show as the sports heir to that network’s megapopular Howard Stern Show.” Peacock and iHeart Radio were also in the mix.
Le Batard, a former Miami Herald sports columnist, told the Herald that he didn’t want to go behind a paywall, like Sirius XM’s. “We didn’t want to do that to our listeners,” Le Batard told the Herald. “The thing that I chose was freedom. Every time I’ve negotiated anywhere was for freedom, not money.”
DraftKings continues to acquire premium content. In March, it acquired Vegas Sports Information Network (VSiN), a multi-platform broadcast and content company offering sports betting news, analysis and data to U.S. sports bettors.
