BetRivers Adds Mike Ditka as ambassador

BetRivers Sportsbook is expanding on its current partnership with the Chicago Bears by bringing one of the legends of that team on board.

Mike Ditka has agreed to a multi-year deal that will make him a brand ambassador for the sports betting operator.

Ditka enjoyed a Hall of Fame career as a tight end with the Chicago Bears, but he is most known for the work that he did on the sidelines. “Da Coach” led the Bears to a Super Bowl championship in 1985, and the team hasn’t won the title since then.

There is plenty of optimism that Ditka will thrive in this role as a brand ambassador as he has experience with television and other digital formats. Ditka remains a popular figure in the city of Chicago, and it should allow BetRivers to compete with DraftKings and FanDuel for market dominance.

In the statement announcing this partnership, BetRivers said, “We are honored to partner with one of the greatest coaches in NFL history; someone who has deep roots in Chicago and is one of the most important figures in modern sports and culture. Mike Ditka was successful at every level of the game, from player to coach to analyst, and we’re thrilled for him to bring his knowledge and passion to our sports betting arena at BetRivers.com.”

While some brand ambassadors work behind the scenes with sports betting operators, that won’t be the case with this partnership. Ditka will be tasked with creating original digital content that will mostly center around the Chicago Bears.

BetRivers was the first online sports betting option in Illinois, but other companies have passed it up. BetRivers is hoping that the partnership with the Bears and adding Ditka to the company will turn things back around.

More Arlington Park Connections

There has already been plenty of discussion surrounding BetRivers, the Bears, and Arlington Park, and this announcement will continue that trend. Arlington Park is currently up for sale, and the Bears have expressed interest in moving the team there.

Churchill Downs Inc is the owner of Arlington Park, and that company also has a stake in ownership at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, IL. It has been assumed that Churchill Downs is not going to sell the property to another gaming company as it would create competition for its own product.

There is still plenty of work that would have to be done before the Bears were able to move to Arlington, but there are some connections that are starting to form.

Bears Betting at BetRivers

The Bears will be the biggest betting market in Illinois as soon as games start, and that is especially true at BetRivers. This online operator will feature a number of special boosts or promotions centered around the Bears, but a quick look at the odds is interesting.

Chicago is currently a seven-point underdog in the Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and they are not projected to challenge in the NFC North.

If you want to stay up to date on all sports betting in Illinois, then make sure you check back regularly on our news blog.

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