Fanatics Picks New Chief Operating Officer
The sports betting apparel giant Fanatics has announced the news that former DoorDash executive Hank Couture is being appointed to the newly created position of chief operating officer. Couture will arrive at the executive team in order to support the growth of strategies across operations at the Fanatics Sportsbook, which is gearing up for a nationwide launch in mid-2023.
Fanatics has revealed that former DoorDash executive Hank Couture will step into the newly created position of chief operating officer at the sports apparel and sports betting company.
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Couture Spent Over Seven Years at DoorDash Prior to Arriving at Fanatics
In the latest executive-level news coming out of the gambling scene, the betting and gaming branch of sports apparel company Fanatics has stepped out and revealed the appointment of former DoorDash executive Hank Couture to the recently created position of chief operating officer (COO).
Couture will arrive at the operator’s executive team with the explicit task of helping support the growth and execution of strategies across operations in advance of the imminent launch of the Fanatics Sportsbook, which is scheduled to drop nationwide in the United States sometime in mid-2023.
Couture lands at Fanatics after spending over seven years with DoorDash, a technology startup that connects consumers with local businesses around them. He spent time occupying several different roles at DoorDash, having most recently served as vice president for the US marketplace. Before his lengthy stint at DoorDash, Couture worked in the equity derivative structuring sphere at financial capital giant Goldman Sachs for two years.
Fanatics Revealed in January 2023 That it Would Use Amelco Source Code to Power Sports Betting Product
Celebrating the occasion of his appointment to chief operating officer (COO) at Fanatics, Hank Couture evoked his time at DoorDash as an opportunity to help bring Fanatics’ game to the next level:
“This is an exciting opportunity to build something from the ground up. I look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience in building DoorDash to the sports betting industry and help build something that exceeds expectations for our customers.”– Hank Couture, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Fanatics,Press Release
Meanwhile, Fanatics Betting and Gaming chief executive Matt King also praised Couture’s extensive experience as a strong asset moving forward for the sports apparel and sports betting company, seeing it as having the chance of lending the company strong foresight and confidence as it continues its growth in the crowded American gambling market:
“We are excited to add Hank to our leadership team as COO. Hank’s experience in building one of the largest marketplaces in the US is exactly the type of person we are looking for at Fanatics Betting and Gaming. As our new COO, his impressive track record of success will provide us with valuable insight as we build a sportsbook that is easy to use, trustworthy and more rewarding for sports fans.”– Matt King, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fanatics Betting and Gaming,Press Release
Just recently in January 2023, Fanatics clarified that it would deploy Amelco’s source code to help run its sports betting product. This came just in advance of it also announcing that it had received approval to launch said product in the state of Massachusetts. There are also rumors circulating that Fanatics has started to engage in talks to take over the BetParx sportsbook as part of its overall strategy to expand its gaming presence. The company also recently joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
Fanatics Opened Up First Retail Sportsbook Inside a National Football League (NFL) Venue in January 2023
In other recent Fanatics news, in January 2023 the corporation became the first-ever sports wagering operator to launch a retail sportsbook inside of a National Football League (NFL) stadium with the unveiling of its sportsbook product at the FedExField in Maryland.
The venue is the home stadium of the NFL team the Washington Commanders, but now also holds the title of being the location of Fanatics’ first venture into the sports betting market, as well as the establishment of its presence in the state of Maryland. Furthermore, the Commanders team is now acting as the apparel company’s market access partner.
The sportsbook’s stats are nothing short of impressive: spanning a total area of 5,000sq ft, the venue also showcases eight betting windows, 21 self-service betting kiosks, two LED video walls, 38 TV monitors, and a full-service restaurant to top things off. Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer at Fanatics Betting and Gaming, conveyed the company’s excitement surrounding the launch, while also hinting at more news down the line:
“We are excited to bring the Fanatics Sportsbook to Maryland at FedExField. Our first retail location, with adjacency to the Commanders Team store, is a physical representation of what Fanatics will deliver to sports fans all over North America. We are rolling out our platform first at retail and we will have more exciting news to share in the coming months as we bring to market new mobile technology designed to improve the betting experience for sports fans.”– Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer, Fanatics Betting and Gaming,Press Release
As for the Washington Commanders, team president Jason Wright also welcomed the launch, though chose to thank specifically Maryland’s former governor Larry Hogan in his shared statement on the matter:
“When our journey began over two years ago, we knew we had to reinvigorate the guest experience at FedExField and open the campus to the community. Today is a special moment in realizing that vision as we open this innovative sportsbook, operating seven days a week for sports fans throughout our community. We owe a debt of gratitude to Former Governor Hogan, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, and numerous other elected leaders who supported our vision of an equity framework that will ensure minority participation in this venture; allowing us to do right by the community and the fans at the same time.”– Jason Wright, Team President, Washington Commanders,Press Release
Bally’s Corporation Appointed New CEO in February 2023
Big changes brewing over at Bally’s Corporation were announced just recently in February 2023. As current CEO Lee Fenton prepares to soon step down, the casino operator giant finally announced his replacement, which ended up being the company’s very own president of interactive, Robeson Reeves.
Beginning his tenure as CEO on March 31st, 2023, Reeves first joined Gamesys in 2005, taking on a series of significant leadership positions at the company ever since, such as COO and director of gaming operations. Outgoing CEO Lee Fenton drove home the unique aspects of working at Bally’s, reassuring observers of his confidence in Reeves’ competencies moving forward:
“Bally’s is an extraordinary business with extraordinary people, and I want to thank each and every one of them for the support they have shown me and the commitment they continue to bring to the business. It is particularly special for me to be able to hand the reigns to Robeson with whom I have worked for over 14 years. Robeson is a unique talent and the time is right for him to lead Bally’s.”
Finally, Soo Kim, chairman of Bally’s board of directors, thanked Fenton for his dedicated service to the casino giant while also paving the way for incoming CEO Reeves:
“On behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank Lee for his excellent leadership and valuable contributions to Bally’s. Lee has led Bally’s through the effective integration of Gamesys, leaving us well positioned for future growth. I am excited to have Robeson succeed Lee as CEO. Robeson has an extraordinary mind and the drive required to excel as he takes the helm.”
