The Miami Heat has named Hard Rock Bet as its official sports betting partner. The National Basketball Association team and the only legal sports betting platform in Florida will team up for exclusive promotions and offers for basketball fans.
Florida’s unusual sports betting market only permits sportsbooks operated in conjunction with the Seminole Tribe. This effectively grants the tribe exclusivity for online betting in the Sunshine State. The tribe, which owns the Hard Rock brand, restaurants, and casinos, offers Hard Rock Bet as the lone sports betting website and mobile application for consumers in Florida to place wagers. The only alternatives are Florida DFS apps.
Both Hard Rock and the Heat are iconic southern Florida brands. Miami Heat Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Glen Oskin commented on the partnership in an emailed release.
“This is a perfect union of two well established Florida brands coming together to deliver fans a new level of fun and excitement through some truly innovative experiences.”
Advertising and branding of Hard Rock Bet has already begun at the Kaseya Center, the Heat’s home arena. The team has advanced to the NBA Finals twice in the previous five seasons, and six times since 2011.
Courtside section to be installed with Hard Rock Bet branding
The convergence of professional sports and legal sports betting is now ubiquitous. The Heat/Hard Rock deal is simply one more partnership in the NBA that welcomes sportsbooks into the arena where the competitions take place. Hard Rock also has deal with the Florida Panthers of the NHL.
The details of the Heat partnership ensure that Hard Rock Bet will be seen by the thousands of fans at Kaseya Center, as well as on team online platforms and other advertising campaigns. In-game entertainment sponsorships, marquee signage, and promotions are part of the partnership, as well as digital campaigns and VIP access for select Hard Rock Bet players for Heat off-court events.
This season, a new section will be added to Kaseya Center when the team unveils a “courtside platform” that will serve as an exclusive game-experience area for Hard Rock Bet customers. Free Wi-Fi that is available in the arena ensures attendees, no matter where their tickets are, can access the Hard Rock Bet app for live betting of NBA games.
