Showtime, DraftKings collaborate on boxing Pick 'Em game
Boxing fans who believe they are experts will now have the opportunity to back up their beliefs while watching fights on Showtime.
On Thursday, Showtime and DraftKings announced a collaboration on a game in which fans will be able to pick the outcome of all fights broadcast on Showtime. This will include matches on pay-per-view, Showtime Championship Boxing, ShoBox and Showtime Boxing Special Edition cards.
There will be a prize of $5,000 for each show and the top five finalists on a card will win a Showtime Boxing prize pack. The 2019 winner will earn a free trip to every Showtime Championship Boxing card in 2020.
“This unique collaboration with DraftKings delivers an entertaining companion experience for viewers and provides a year-long connection to all Showtime boxing events,” said Stephen Espinoza, Showtime’s president of sports & event programming. “We’re excited to align with a leading sports-tech entertainment brand in the U.S. as Showtime Sports continues to deliver fresh and innovative ways for fans to enjoy the best that boxing has to offer.”
The contest will start on Saturday’s Showtime Boxing event, which is headlined by a WBA super welterweight title fight between champion Brian Castaño and ex-champion Erislandy Lara.
Ezra Kucharz, the chief business officer at DraftKings, acknowledged the passion of fight fans in deciding to go forward with the venture.
“Boxing draws edge-of-the-seat fans with incredible passion and engagement with the sport, and this collaboration will further our ability to best connect with our burgeoning player community,” Kucharz said.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• The NFL combine’s biggest question is answered
• Ole Miss fans trash court after controversial loss
• Westbrook lectures kid, requests protection from fans
• Haynes: LeBron has a message for the haters
