Written by :
Published on :
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Don’t call them Frisbees!
They are flying discs (Frisbee is a trademarked name).
Did you know there was a professional sports league involving flying disc competition?
And more important, did you know you could wager on it? Gambling 911 recently sat down with the head of this league, Steve Hall, at the league’s headquarters, to find out what the league is all about and why wagering on It is becoming all the rage.
Here is a transcript of that conversation:
Gambling 911: You are the commissioner of the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL). Can you tell us what that is, how long it has been around and what you are hoping to accomplish with it?
Steve Hall: The AUDL was formed in 2013 as the largest professional ultimate disc league in the world. Our mission is to grow the sport of ultimate disc and to eventually be as big as soccer. We’re starting with this professional league in North America but have a vision of leagues in other continents, with an eventual World Cup of Ultimate Disc that unites us all.
G9: Your league has been supplying data to sports betting operations such as DraftKings and FanDuel. What is the reason for this? Are they planning to start offering wagering on the AUDL?
SH: The AUDL signed a five-year exclusive data distribution agreement with LSports Data Ltd. in 2021. They are the official data partner of the
AUDL. We also signed a one-year agreement with DraftKings in 2021 as the exclusive betting partner. In 2021, DraftKings created free-to-play pools and lines on games. LSports will be creating new betting products and watch-bet bundles for the 2022 season.
G9: Would you like to see widespread legal sports wagering on the AUDL? And do you think it will increase public interest in your sport?
SH: We would like to see more operators create AUDL gaming products for sports fans. We see gaming as another form of entertainment that fits alongside professional leagues like the AUDL. We believe this additional entertainment option for fans will increase interest in our teams and league.
G9: Where do you personally think the future of sports wagering is headed?
SH: We think sports wagering, especially online, will only increase in North America. Europe and Asia are two good benchmarks for us to study.
G9: What is your personal background?
SH: I’m 55 years old and based in Charlotte, North Carolina. I received a Bachelors Degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Emory University. I’ve been a casual ultimate player since 1985 and am currently on the “recycled” Great Grand Masters club team that will be in the world tournament in June in Ireland. I worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup while living in New York. Those positions helped shape my role as chief executive officer and commissioner for the AUDL.
G9: is there anything else you would like to add?
SH: We are working very hard to increase awareness of ultimate in the under 18 age group and to diversify the racial and cultural background of our owners, staff and players.
By Tom Somach
Gambling 911 Chief Correspondent
