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ESPN Ends Penn Sportsbook Deal, Names DraftKings Exclusive Betting Partner

Following missed market-share thresholds at ESPN Bet, ESPN moves to embedded DraftKings integrations in December as Penn rebrands the app to theScore Bet.

Overview

  • Effective Dec. 1, 2025, ESPN and Penn will end their sportsbook partnership, and Penn will relaunch the U.S. platform as theScore Bet, subject to regulatory approvals.
  • ESPN signed a multiyear agreement making DraftKings the exclusive official sportsbook and odds provider, with initial integrations beginning in December and a fuller rollout planned for 2026.
  • DraftKings will power the betting tab within the ESPN app and feature sportsbook, daily fantasy and Pick6 products, with special promotions tied to the ESPN Unlimited service.
  • Penn will stop remaining cash payments to ESPN in Q4 2025; disclosures reference $38.1 million in final fees plus $5 million in transition advertising support, with vested stock warrants retained by ESPN and unvested warrants forfeited.
  • Penn will keep customer information for roughly 3 million ESPN Bet users for the transition, has described the split as mutual after missing performance targets, and plans to refocus on its iCasino strategy.