Zach Wilson won’t be the only newcomer to MetLife Stadium this year.
The New York Jets have entered into a multi-year partnership with Fubo Sportsbook, the sides announced Wednesday.
The team is opening up a brand-new, 7,000-square foot, indoor-outdoor Fubo Sportsbook Lounge for home games. It will be located near sections 230-231 in the southwest corner of the stadium on the mezzanine level.
The lounge will be open for the Sept. 19, Week 2 home-opener against the Patriots. But the Fubo mobile sports betting app still needs regulatory approval from New Jersey, Jets’ VP of business development and ventures Jeff Fernandez told PlayNY.
Fernandez is optimistic that could come sometime in late September or early October, leaving Oct. 3, Week 4 against the Titans, as the potential date for the app’s launch. But no official date has been set.
Sportsbook will have several special features
When MetLife Stadium opened in 2010, gathering spaces had yet to emerge as a coveted section of sports and entertainment venues. But the Jets were able to turn what had been hospitality suites into a 21 and over, casino-style sportsbook and lounge. It will open two hours before games.
It features betting odds integration, incentives and special bonus offers provided by Fubo. Fans will also be able to watch every NFL game in the lounge, bet online via the Fubo mobile app, and check out the 2,000-square foot outdoor patio.
“A lot of clubs have tried to figure out how they could create a sports betting lounge in an existing space, but very few of them have this kind of panoramic view of the field,” Fernandez told PlayNY. “It’s what really differentiates this from any other sportsbook lounge in sports right now.”
Fans could watch just a quarter or even the entire game from the lounge.
“The space itself will be able to accommodate hundreds and hundreds of people at a time, it will be free-flowing,” Fernandez said. “I think it’s going to be a learning process (in terms of how many people use it). It’s going to be like anything — learn and adjust.”
Why Jets became sports betting partners with Fubo
The Jets, who are entering their fourth season as partners with BetMGM Online Sportsbook, spoke with close to 50 different operators (including all 26-27 already in NJ) before electing to go with Fubo.
Fubo, a relative newcomer to the space, making its first deal in sports, has technology that syncs up live streaming with live sports betting odds. And Scott Butera, now a senior executive at Fubo, previously worked with the Jets on a sports betting partnership while at BetMGM.
Fubo utilizes data to produce targeted and customized messaging and connect the partners with their customer base. It also plans to cater to its VIP sports betting customers much like casinos in terms of perks, emphasizing retainment and loyalty.
“That’s the story behind the story,” Fernandez told PlayNY. “Just knowing (Fubo’s) aspirations and where they’re going, and the connection to Scott and how impactful he is as an innovator in this business. He’s a big part of why this thing came together.”
Jets, BetMGM combine on special ticket offer
The partners introduced a BetMGM Parlay 3-Pack in which fans can get tickets to see the Jets face New England, Philadelphia and Jacksonville for as low as $170. With purchase, fans also receive a $75 BetMGM credit.
The offer ends this Sunday (must be 21 or older).