BOSTON, MA - May 21, 2009 - The Massachusetts State Lottery and the New England Patriots announced today that they are developing the first licensed NFL instant ticket. The announcement comes just days after the NFL owners voted to allow teams to partner with lotteries throughout the country.
"This is an excellent opportunity for two successful brands to work together on behalf of the communities of Massachusetts," said State Treasurer Tim Cahill, Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. "During this economic downturn, cities and towns will benefit from this partnership."
"This is going to be a hugely successful collaboration," said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group. "We are looking forward to helping the Lottery generate much needed revenue for the cities and towns of Massachusetts."
The Massachusetts State Lottery has a proven track record of creating successful instant ticket products with major sports franchises. These products have generated over $740 million in sales and $101 million in local aid for the cities and towns of Massachusetts.
"We know sports partnerships work," said Mark Cavanagh, Executive Director of the Lottery. "This is a natural evolution and we look forward to taking our relationship with the New England Patriots to the next level."
"We look forward to being the first NFL team to partner on an instant ticket," said Jonathan Kraft, President and Chief Operating Officer for The Kraft Group. "We know it will be beneficial for the Patriots, the Massachusetts State Lottery and for local communities."
The Patriots ticket is expected to go on sale before the start of the 2009 NFL season.
About the Massachusetts State LotteryThe Massachusetts State Lottery is dedicated to providing revenue for the Commonwealth's 351 communities and has returned more than $5 billion to taxpayers since 2003. The Lottery, through our 7,500 agents, offers players exciting and entertaining games, a formula that has made us among the most successful lotteries in the nation.
About the New England Patriots
The Patriots were named the eighth and final charter franchise of the American Football League (AFL) on Nov. 16, 1959 and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary season this year. In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the franchise and vowed to bring New England its first league championship. The Patriots delivered on that promise at the end of the 2001 season and became just the second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span after winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Since 1994, the Patriots have won more games (173) and more often (.655 winning percentage) than any other NFL team.
