The Cardinals Primetime Showdown at FanDuel Sportsbook in Footprint Center attracts a large crowd.
There were more optimal spots to view the inaugural Monday Night Football game of the Arizona Cardinals post the introduction of Arizona betting apps than a sportsbook in downtown Phoenix.
Monday night found me at the FanDuel Sportsbook Arizona within the Footprint Center, enclosed by walls of black and powder-blue.
Dozens of customers were greeted at the facility, located at the home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, which opened on September 9 during the Cardinals’ first Monday night game of the year.
In the four and a half hours that I spent there, I saw a high demand for sports betting in the state, showcasing the popularity of Arizona NFL betting since it was introduced 96 days ago.
A haven for sports betting enthusiasts located in downtown Phoenix.
I ran into Shegun Cummings-John, a former cornerback for Northwestern University, early in the evening.
Cummings-John, a Phoenix native and former player for the Wildcats from 1998-2001, now serves as the executive vice president at Dynalinks Global LLC.
Before sports betting was legalized in Arizona in September, he was a dedicated customer who would make the 250-mile trip to Las Vegas every month to place bets on sports.
When asked about the importance of having sports betting nearby, the Scottsdale resident jokingly said, “It translates to 10 fewer hours on the road and an additional $1,000 in your wallet.”
Cummings-John expressed their desire to spark growth in their city, the fifth-largest in the country, in a similar way that people visit Vegas for gambling and shows.
The 2021 gaming compact, as stated by attorney Cummings-John, was a difficult endeavor but will ultimately benefit all Arizonans, regardless of their involvement in sports betting or other table games.
The FanDuel Regional Director believes that the combination of Arizona sports betting and Suns basketball is ideal.
Cummings-John revealed, “I was aware of the hard work it took to achieve all of this. I knew the difficulties of gaining access here. That’s why I am committed to visiting. The facility is remarkable, user-friendly, and conveniently situated in the heart of the city, which only enhances its appeal.”
What you can anticipate at the Footprint Center venue
Along with the 10 large screens displaying the Cardinals-Rams MNF game and other NBA matchups, the Footprint Center also provides a range of amenities that kept me entertained all night.
The sportsbook /go-bet/s offer a tasty but limited selection of food and drinks, including buffalo chicken dip, loaded nachos, and flatbread pizzas with either cheese or pepperoni toppings.
I decided to splurge $12 on the second option, and it ended up being a tasty dinner choice when paired with my $3.25 fountain soda.
Afterwards, I leisurely walked through the building, taking in the view of the Monday Night Football game from one of the facility’s 18 theater-style seats, as well as from the various bar-style high-tops and rail seats.
I noticed that the facility was specifically designed for excellent viewing. I was able to see the MNF screen from every angle without any discomfort or need to stand up, making it easy for me to enjoy watching the Cardinals’ 30-23 loss to the Rams.
I recommend arriving early to claim one of the Navy-blue plush theater chairs, as they are the most comfortable seats available at the venue.
On Monday night, what stood out to me was the significant number of people who seemed indifferent to the football game, choosing to pay more attention to whether Steph Curry would break the NBA’s 3-point record rather than the outcome of the Cardinals’ game and their potential for securing home field advantage in the NFC.
The upbeat energy of the sportsbook crowd pleasantly surprised me as it continued throughout the night.
Except for the young man who yelled obscenities at Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, the rest of the evening was calm.
Cummings-John has made it a tradition to visit the FanDuel sportsbook facility every Sunday this autumn to watch NFL games.
He was thrilled that Arizona made (sports betting) a priority, as launching before football season was crucial for revenue and brand building. He predicted that the establishment would thrive during bowl season and feel like a natural part of the scene during the NFL and NBA playoffs.
The atmosphere in the downtown sportsbook was calm and serene until Murray was tackled, bringing Arizona’s chances of tying Monday’s game and forcing overtime to an abrupt end.
Even though the Cardinals were defeated, it was evident that sports betting in Arizona is a valuable asset for the state’s residents.
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Author
Peterson Christopher has over seven years of experience covering sports and sports betting in Arizona for publications including ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly, and the Green Valley News. He now serves as the lead writer at yengols.com.
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