FanDuel Rolls Out NBA League Pass Integration, 'Starting 5' Contests
by Eric Ramsey
[toc]FanDuel is giving users a few new toys to play with this holiday season.
The daily fantasy sports site has launched a new game format, and it's building out its multimedia tools to keep NBA fans engaged.
NBA Starting 5
DFS has been on a diet lately, with slates and roster requirements being slimmed down across both FanDuel and DraftKings.
FanDuel's new NBA Starting 5 format mirrors its NFL Mini product launched this season. Rather than fill out a full daily fantasy basketball lineup, users select just five players. In the Starting 5, those lineups consist of two guards, two forwards and one center.
From there, contests are scored according to FanDuel's standard system. The largest nightly Starting 5 contest appears to be a $3 tournament with a $10,000 prize pool.
Christmas Day is a big one for the NBA, and FanDuel is shoring up its schedule, too. The $3 contest will guarantee $20,000, and there's a big freeroll in the lobby. The NBA Starting 5 Christmas Jam is giving away $100,000 in prizes.
NBA League Pass integration
The two largest DFS operators have been expanding their multimedia offerings over the last year or so, and FanDuel has more news on that front.
Starting immediately, NBA League Pass is integrated into the FanDuel platform.
The league's broadcast service allows users to watch live and on-demand games on their TV, computer or mobile device. Subscribers can now do so within the FanDuel app itself, with a "Watch Now" button added to the live scoring page. (To be clear, you have to be a current subscriber to enjoy this functionality.)
FanDuel also has a current partnership with TuneIn to offer audio feeds of NFL, MLB and NBA games.
DraftKings has live video available through its app, too. The DFS leader recently incorporated Euroleague streaming as part of its partnership with the overseas basketball league.
NBA InPlay
The partnership between FanDuel and the NBA has been an engaging one for both parties. FanDuel leveraged its product to get League Pass integration, but it's a two-way street. The NBA has some of its own real estate in the DFS space.
The league has an in-game product called NBA InPlay. InPlay is a real-time fantasy game that requires the user to be watching the game itself. The underlying platform was built by FanDuel.
The app provides free, dynamic contests based on single NBA games. Users select just one player per quarter, and they accrue points based on that player's performance. There is some input required during the game, too, including a scoring boost that can be activated at any time.
InPlay began life as FanDuel Turbo, although that product was never launched.
Eric Ramsey
Eric is a reporter and writer covering regulated US gambling, sports betting, and DFS. He comes from a poker background, formerly on staff at PokerNews and the World Poker Tour.
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