Former NBA great Shaquille O’Neal will headline a new brand campaign for online betting company PointsBet.
The new campaign will run across TV, digital and social media.
According to The Australian O’Neal will receive some of his compensation in the form of equity in the betting company.
PoinstBet’s share price lifted 2.5 per cent following the announcement.
“The rise of responsible sports betting is really exciting, and I am so excited to join forces with PointsBet, the best-in-class partner in Australia when it comes to online sportsbooks,” O’Neal said.
“Shaq is an iconic figure in the worlds of sports and entertainment and was our clear number one pick to represent the PointsBet brand in Australia. U.S. sports, particularly professional basketball, continue to be the fastest-growing betting sport in Australia, and we are very excited to align with such a transcendent athlete,” said PointsBet CMO and co-founder Andrew Fahey.
“Further, we are delighted that Mr. O’Neal has agreed to take part of his consideration in the form of equity in PointsBet, which underscores the alignment and trust across our teams and our shared belief in the opportunities ahead for PointsBet,” he added.
While the PointsBet campaign marks one of O’Neal’s most significant commercial moves in the Australian market, the former NBA MVP is no stranger to the advertising world.
O’Neal has become known for endorsing a wide and eclectic range of companies through appearing in ad campaigns, including a sleep apnea mask, a sugar substitute, Soupman, Zales, Muscle Milk, Shaq Fu Punch, Chris Christie, Dunkman shoes, Dove, Nintendo, Macy’s, JC Penney, Comcast, Monster speakers, LiNing shoes, NBA 2k, Gold Bond, a vodka brand, Buick, Taco Bell, Nestle Crunch, Icy Hot, Pepsi, Wheaties, Oreos and Burger King.
