Pechanga Resort Casino has a new NBA partner in the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers made the union official at a preseason game on Oct. 9.
First Pechanga-sponsored event is Nov. 6
The Pechanga Band of Indians has donated millions of dollars in support of Proposition 26, which would legalize California sports betting at tribal-run casinos. Voters will decide Prop 26’s fate on Nov. 8.
On Oct. 9, the Clippers presented a team jersey to Pechanga leaders to commemorate their deal that made them the team’s exclusive tribal casino.
As a result, the Southern California casino will host community events, Clippers watch parties and in-game promotions. The casino also gains rights to in-arena signage, broadcast integrations, hospitality elements and media activations.
The first Pechanga-sponsored event is on Nov. 6, when the Clippers host the Utah Jazz on Native American Heritage Night. The first 10,000 in attendance will receive a Clippers beach bag. It is the first of two giveaways the Pechanga Casino will sponsor during the 2022-23 season.
Clippers are the fifth LA team to partner with tribe
In partnering with Pechanga, the Clippers now join a list of Los Angeles sports teams that includes the Angels, Chargers, Lakers and Rams. Pechanga is now the casino partner for SoFi Stadium, where the Rams and Chargers play, the 300-acre Hollywood Park complex it sits on and USC athletics. It also has the naming rights to Pechanga Arena San Diego.
Andrew Masiel Sr., president of the Pechanga Development Corporation, applauded the partnership.
“We’re very excited to partner with the LA Clippers and support our broader Southern California community. This partnership will also mean more opportunities for Pechanga’s guests to truly unique events and experiences in LA sports. Our tribe’s roots run deep through Southern California, and like us, the Clippers are committed to using their platform to make a meaningful difference.”
Clippers Chief Global Partnerships Officer Scott Sonnenberg said the team was thrilled to partner with Pechanga and work together within the community.
Deals between CA tribes and teams prevalent
Two SoCal giants in Pechanga and San Manuel (Yaamava’ Resort & Casino) are now involved with every major Los Angeles sports team except the Los Angeles Kings, whose sole betting partner is Betway. San Manuel has even crossed state lines, joining forces with the Vegas Golden Knights.
And speaking of Kings, Sacramento’s NBA team of the same moniker also joined the party this past summer when it named Red Hawk Casino its official partner. Sacramento is one of the most saturated casino markets, making this connection even bigger for Red Hawk, which currently has two major construction projects underway.
Cache Creek, another Northern California casino, and San Diego’s Sycuan also have deals with local teams, too.
CA casinos partnerships with professional sports teams
- Cache Creek Casino Resort – Golden State Warriors (NBA); San Francisco 49ers (NFL); San Francisco Giants (MLB); and San Jose Sharks (NHL)
- Pechanga Resort Casinos – Los Angeles Angels (MLB); Los Angeles Chargers (NFL); Clippers; Los Angeles Lakers (NBA); Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
- Red Hawk Casino – Sacramento Kings
- San Manuel Band of Mission Indians – Anaheim Ducks (NHL); Las Vegas Raiders (NFL); Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
- Sycuan Casino Resort – San Diego Padres
Other deals between tribal casinos and sports teams in US
Outside California, more than a dozen tribal casinos have also inked deals with professional teams in eight states. Arizona’s Gila River and the Seminole Tribe of Florida each have two:
- Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Texas Rangers (MLB)
- Emerald Queen Casino – Seattle Mariners (MLB)
- Gila River Hotel & Casino – Arizona Coyotes (NHL); Phoenix Suns (NBA)
- Hard Rock International/Seminole Tribe of Florida – Florida Panthers (NHL); Miami Dolphins (NFL)
- Muckleshoot Casino – Seattle Kraken (NHL)
- Mystic Lake Casino – Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
- Oneida Casino – Green Bay Packers (NFL)
- Potawatomi Hotel & Casino – Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
- Riverwind Casino – Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)
- Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort – Detroit Lions (NFL)
- Snoqualmie Casino – Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
- Treasure Island Resort & Casino (MN) – Minnesota Wild (NHL)
- WinStar World Casino – Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
Ultimately, deal is about more than sports betting
The Pechanga Band of Indians has been active in the Southern California community for decades. Its new affiliation with the Clippers will only extend that footprint. As Maisel Sr. said, the tribe’s roots run deep in SoCal.
A week from the Nov. 8 elections, more than $457 million has been spent on Props 26 and 27. On Oct. 7, the Pechanga donated $5 million – far from its first donation – in favor of Prop 26.
Despite the record-setting money spent on the two sports betting campaigns, both appear to be in big trouble come Election Day. If the competing initiatives fail, sports betting would remain illegal in California for at least two more years.
Regardless, Pechanga remains involved in the Southern California community, especially with its sports teams.