FanDuel to Revise Super Bowl Ad as a Tribute Following Carl Weathers’ Passing

Flutter Entertainment’s (NYSE:FLUT) FanDuel made an emotional announcement that it will adapt its 2024 Super Bowl commercial, originally featuring Carl Weathers, in light of the actor’s recent passing. The initial version showcased former NFL star Rob Gronkowski and was a follow-up to last year’s promotion, where Gronk missed the “FanDuel kick of destiny.”

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Carl Weathers,” the sports betting giant shared on its social media platforms. “Throughout his life, Carl was an iconic talent who had a profound impact on the people he worked with on and off the screen. FanDuel was fortunate to have had an opportunity to work with him during our Super Bowl campaign. We are adjusting our campaign accordingly out of respect for the family during their time of grief,” read FanDuel’s statement.

Furthermore, sports betting advertising is anticipated to be less prevalent during this year’s Super Bowl compared to last year. DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) will air a prominent ad featuring Kevin Hart, while BetMGM (MGM) (OTCPK:GMVHF) plans to run an ad with Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, and Vince Vaughn. The estimated cost for a 30-second Super Bowl ad stands at approximately $7 million this year, with U.S. viewership expected to exceed 110 million. Last year’s Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched TV event in history.

FanDuel (FLUT) and DraftKings (DKNG) are projected to surpass last year’s sports betting handle this year, with the inclusion of new states in the betting arena. Legal Sports Report forecasts that $1.29 billion will be legally wagered on the Super Bowl, marking a 19.4% increase from last year’s figures. Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) shares surged by 6% in the U.S. last week after its listing went live on the New York Stock Exchange, while DraftKings (DKNG) experienced a 4.25% surge as investors flocked to the sports betting stock ahead of the Big Game.