Drew Brees lightning strike is faux, promotional stunt for on-line sportsbook

Legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees faked being struck by lightning as a part of a promotional stunt for betting firm PointsBet.

A video clip posted to Twitter on Friday confirmed Brees filming a business for PointsBet in Catatumbo, Venezuela, a location identified for its lightning strikes, when a bolt apparently hits him and knocks the manufacturing off kilter.

It was seen greater than 1 million occasions as of noon Friday.

Brees confirmed in a subsequent video that he is completely wonderful and “buzzing” in regards to the sportsbook’s newest supply involving its “lightning bets,” which permit customers to make in-game wagers.

The stunt comes as on-line sportsbooks achieve reputation and struggle for patrons.

“Effectively it is definitely a shock, actually and figuratively,” mentioned Patrick Rishe, director of the sports activities enterprise program at Washington College in St. Louis. “I might say that is in all probability one of many worst selections he is made as a public determine.”

Rishe mentioned it is clear PointsBet tried to do one thing extraordinary to get consideration within the on-line sports activities betting market, which is dominated by DraftKings and FanDuel, “however boy, this actually feels prefer it’s crossing the road.”

A consultant for Brees didn’t reply for remark. Brees is an envoy for PointsBet, which trades on the Australian Inventory Change and has operations in the USA, Canada and Eire.