Eli, Peyton Manning to Star in FanDuel ‘Kick of Destiny’ Commercials

Eli and Peyton Manning will be the stars of the third iteration of FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny” advertising campaign, which allows the sportsbook’s clients to win an equal share of $10 million if they select the right Manning.

Manning
Peyton (left) and Eli Manning. The brothers will star in FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 3” commercials. (Image: ESPN)

The humor in the commercials is derived from the idea of the Mannings — both two-time Super Bowl winning quarterbacks — being kickers. The first ad spot from the “Kick of Destiny 3” campaign shows Eli confessing to a long-burning desire to be a kicker. Older brother Peyton discovers Eli’s dream and wants in on the act.

In addition to the live kick during the FOX Super Bowl Pregame Show, fans will also be able to experience the Kick of Destiny through two TV spots in the game,” according to a statement issued by FanDuel. “These ads will feature recap footage of the Mannings’ kicking contest edited into a celebration that showcases whether fans who picked Team Peyton or Team Eli won the $10 million in Bonus Bets.”

The Mannings, two of the most ubiquitous pitchmen in US advertising, follow former New England Patriots Super Bowl winners Rob Gronkowski and Adam Vinatieri and the late actor Carl Weathers as stars in the “Kick of Destiny” spots.

FanDuel Latest Sportsbook to Tap Mannings for Commercials

The “Kick of Destiny” commercials aren’t the first time the Mannings have appeared in sportsbook advertisements.

The Manning family, including eldest brother Cooper and dad Archie, himself a former NFL star, previously appeared in spots for Caesars Sportsbook. That led to a partnership between the gaming company and Peyton’s Omaha Productions, but Caesars pulled its celebrity-laden sportsbook ads in 2022 as a cost-cutting move.

The Mannings last appeared in Caesars Sportsbook advertisements during the 2021 NFL season, but Peyton and Eli have done voiceovers for radio spots more recently. Over the past several years, gaming company has dialed back spending on traditional media ads for its sports wagering unit, citing accomplished market share objectives, among other factors.

For its part, FanDuel will again advertise during the Super Bowl. It’s estimated that a 30-second commercial during the big game will cost $7 million this year.

More Details on Manning FanDuel Commercial

“Kick of Destiny 3” is the first version of the campaign that features a competition between two athletes. During the 3pm Eastern time hour of the FOX Super Bowl Pregame Show, each Manning will get an attempt at a 25-yard field goal – eight yards shorter than an NFL extra point attempt.

“If there is no winner after the initial kicks, the Mannings will get additional attempts. If a tiebreaker is needed after three rounds, the kicker who kicked it closest to the center target on the net in the last round will be declared the winner,” according to the press release.

FanDuel customers that accurately select the winner get a share of $10 million in bonus bets.

Todd Shriber
Todd Shriber Financial Reporter

Todd Shriber is a senior news reporter covering gaming financials, casino business, stocks, and mergers and acquisitions for Casino.org.

Todd got his start in financial markets as a reporter with Bloomberg News. Later, he became a trader at a Southern California-based long/short hedge fund, where he specialized in the trading sector and international ETFs leading up to and during the financial crisis. He joined Casino.org in 2019.

Currently, Todd analyzes, researches, and writes on ETFs for various web-based publications and financial services firms. Shriber has been featured and quoted in Barron's, CNBC.com, and The Wall Street Journal. His work can also be found on Benzinga, ETF Daily News, ETF Trends, MarketWatch, Fox Business, and Nasdaq.com.

He currently resides in Las Vegas, where he enjoys golf and taking his black lab to the dog park. He's also an avid sports fan and likes to wager on college football and the NBA. You can also find him at the three-card poker and roulette table, even though he knows better.

Contact Todd at todd.shriber@casino.org.

Comments icon

Conversation (1 comment)

+ Add a comment
  • LS
    Lda Signup January 24, 2025
    I have lost respect for the Manning brothers being involved with gambling.
    Reply

Write a comment

Your email address will not be published.