Despite being the leader in the field of promotions and sponsorships with some of the biggest names in sports, the online casino and sports betting platform Stake continues to make strong partnerships and sponsorships in new sports and with new stars. Their latest efforts have been focused on the fast growing sport of cricket. Sure, the sport has an iconic presence in Southeast Asia and the British Commonwealth, but it is becoming more global each year. The online casino and sportsbook have recognized that and confirmed it by signing the legend, Nicholas Pooran, as a partner and ambassador.
The Trinidadian cricketer and the West Indies player have achieved much and, at only 29 years of age, continue to dominate the sport. As someone who has played all over the world, he is the perfect partner for Stake. The platform is not shy about wanting to break into more regions, markets, and sports, and their recent deal with the Trinbago Knight Riders of the Caribbean Premier League confirms their high interest in the sport. Cricket is on the rise, and Stake is leading the charge with its proactive approach in making it a more global game. For the fans of the game, expert cricket tips are on the way as the platform covers all of the best leagues and events across all three formats of the popular sport.
Who is Nicholas Pooran?
Towards the end of July, the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) announced that Stake has become their official title partner. This means a front of shirt deal between the most successful CPL team and the leading casino and sportsbook. And why is that important for Pooran? Well, he is on the roster, of course, and not only that, but he is the newly appointed captain of the team. The Port of Spain side revealed that the star player will be the new captain for the upcoming Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League 2025 season. He is taking over the mantle from another legend, Kieron Pollard, who has been the team leader since 2019.
Accepting the leadership role, the new Stake ambassador Nicholas Pooran said the following:
“It means a lot, first and foremost, to represent Trinbago Knight Riders. It is a privilege that I’m getting the opportunity to lead this franchise. I want to give it my best shot and hopefully make as many correct decisions as I can. It’s a responsibility that has been passed on from (Dwayne) Bravo (2013-2019) to Pollard (2019-2024) and now to me. For me, the most satisfying thing is that Pollard is still playing, Sunil (Narine) and Andre (Russell) are here too. That’s a lot of experience I can bank on. To lead them on the field, it means a lot to me.”
The new chapter of the TKR franchise is now beginning, and they will surely be back to winning titles following their most recent 2020 run. Pooran added the following:
“I started my career at the age of 17 right here, playing for T&T Red Steel, where Bravo was my captain. Then, after recovering from a career threatening accident I suffered in 2015, Pollard picked me in the Barbados franchise, where he was my captain. All three of us finally ended up together at TKR a couple of years back, and even though we haven’t won a title together yet, I’m hopeful that we can do it this year.”
On the global scale, Pooran has long been regarded as one of the best T20 players and wicketkeeper batters. He has the record as being the youngest player to debut in the CPL at just 17 in 2013. At the moment, he has more than 9,000 runs across global T20 leagues with a strike rate of around 149. Apart from TKR, he also plays for the Lucksnow Super Giants of the Indian Premier League, and the MI New York of Major League Cricket (MLC). He has played in Bagnadesh for the Rangpur Riders, too, adding to his prolific career that took him all over the world. If you want to bet on cricket in the upcoming games of the 2025 CPL season, Pooran and his Knight Riders are always a great option.
Commenting on his development and the new captaincy, CEO of Knight Rider Sports, Venky Mysore, said, “We are delighted that Nicholas Pooran will carry the leadership baton forward in a smooth transition from Kieron Pollard. Our sincere thanks to Pollard for his leadership & contributions. Pooran understands our winning culture and the responsibility that comes with leading this franchise. As he teams up with Head Coach (Champion) Bravo, we are excited to see them teaming up for hopefully, another successful season for TKR.”
Other Notable Stake Ambassadors
The Nicholas Pooran partnership with Stake.com may be the first big cricket deal, but he is hardly the first individual athlete or celebrity to have one with the platform. Almost for the entirety of their existence, the online casino and sportsbook have been partnering with current and former athletes who act as insiders and/or global sports ambassadors. They promote the platform and give the users inside information, as well as share their opinions and expert knowledge about the upcoming games and events. One of the biggest is Drake, the Canadian rap megastar, who has been an official global ambassador of Stake since 2022. He hosts live streams where he plays slots and other gambling games and streams them on Kick.
Sergio Kun Aguero, the retired Argentine and Manchester City football legend and five time Premier League champion, is a brand ambassador and global ambassador for Stake. His frequent interviews are a treasure trove for football fans and betting enthusiasts. Another football legend, the Frenchman Patrice Evra, a Man Utd legend, became a partner in July of 2025.
No sport is represented more with Stake ambassadors than the MAA and UFC. Over the years, some of the biggest names in the sport have been and continue to be the partners of the platform. Some of the names include Israel Adesanya, Alexa Grasso, Alex Pereira, and Max Holloway, all former champions.
Frankie Dettori, the legendary jockey, is Stake’s first ever horse racing ambassador. He engages with fan content, offers race tips, and does promotions. In tennis, Colombian tennis and padel star Juan Sebastian Cabal is active in his country and focuses on engaging Colombian sports audiences. Then there are Pietro and Enzo Fittipaldi, professional racers for various Formula competitions.
Stake’s Partnerships and Sponsorships
Apart from their plethora of ambassadors and sponsored athletes, Stake has also been working with teams, organizations, and leagues. Their library of partners is even more impressive on this end, and arguably more meaningful, considering it is putting their name out there to the masses. The platform has a presence across many sports and in all corners of the world. Thanks to their innovative marketing campaign and effective business strategies, they have become a recognizable, household name in both the gambling and sports industries.
Among the top deals the platform has made is the one with the Formula 1 team Sauber / Alfa Romeo. Stake became the title partner of the Sauber Formula 1 team starting in the 2024 season, when it rebranded as the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. The multi year partnership includes prominent branding on the car, including the green and black color pattern of Stake’s sister company, the streaming service Kick, and the Stake logo on the main sponsor place on the car. Team apparel and digital platforms also sport such a design. This is an estimated investment of some $100 million over three years. In markets and countries with gambling advertising restrictions, the branding shifts completely to Kick.
One of the most significant moves the platform has achieved over the years came with the UFC deal. Stake is the official betting partner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in Latin America and Asia. They have been so since 2021, and their logo is prominently displayed in the Octagon during pay per view, Fight Night events, promotions, VIP experiences, and digital content. The two sides are actively working on a broader partnership in the future, one that would see the sportsbook casino be featured in markets outside of Asia and South America.
The Everton Football Club of the English Premier League has a multi year front of shirt sponsorship deal with Stake. It began with the 2022-2023 season and is going strong into the fresh 2025-2026 campaign. For the club, it is the most lucrative deal in history, while also being one of the biggest in the league. Reportedly, it exceeds £10 million per season. Although it experienced some scrutiny and obstacles along the way, the two sides managed to get it through, as it is still present on the new team shirts for this season.
There are and were many other deals during the years. Stake also sponsored Cardiff City, Gillingham, and Sheffield Wednesday during their FA Cup third round ties against Premier League opponents. The deal was for branding on the sleeves, in stadium LED displays, and live streaming activations. In Brazil, they serve as the front of shirt partner of Juventude, the top flight football Serie A club from Caxias do Sul. In Peru, it is FBC Melgar as the principal sponsor for the men’s, women’s, and Liga 3 teams. Chilean side Club Deportivo Nublense has a one year front of shirt sponsorship. And in the USA, Stake became the principal sponsor of the US Men’s National Cricket Team and the official partner of Major League Cricket.
Nicholas Pooran FAQs
1. Who is Nicholas Pooran?
Nicholas Pooran is a Trinidadian cricketer who plays for the West Indies national team. He is a left handed wicketkeeper batsman known for his aggressive style and powerful hitting, especially in limited overs cricket.
2. When did Nicholas Pooran make his international debut?
Pooran made his T20I debut on September 23, 2016, against Pakistan. His ODI debut was on February 20, 2019, against England.
3. What is Nicholas Pooran known for in cricket?
He is best known for his explosive batting in T20 cricket, quick reflexes behind the stumps, and playing match winning innings under pressure. His performances in the Indian Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League have made him a global T20 star.
4. Has Nicholas Pooran ever captained the West Indies team?
Yes, Nicholas Pooran served as the white ball captain (ODI and T20I) for the West Indies in 2022.
5. Which IPL team does Nicholas Pooran play for?
As of the 2025 season, Nicholas Pooran plays for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having previously represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Punjab Kings.
6. What was Nicholas Pooran’s breakthrough performance?
His breakthrough came during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he scored 367 runs in 9 matches, including a spectacular century (118 runs) against Sri Lanka.
7. What is Nicholas Pooran’s highest score in international cricket?
His highest ODI score is the aforementioned 118 runs achieved during the 2019 World Cup against Sri Lanka.
8. Did Nicholas Pooran have any major injuries early in his career?
Yes, in 2015, he suffered a serious leg injury in a car accident, which kept him out of competitive cricket for almost 18 months. His comeback is widely regarded as inspirational and serves as a reminder that it is possible to dominate following a career changing event.
9. Which T20 leagues has Nicholas Pooran played in?
Besides the IPL, he has played in various T20 leagues, including the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) (Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana Amazon Warriors), the Pakistan Super League (PSL), The Hundred (UK), and the Global T20 Canada. His versatility makes him a sought after player in franchise cricket around the globe.
10. What is Nicholas Pooran’s playing style?
Pooran is an aggressive, flair driven batsman who can clear boundaries with ease. He is also a sharp wicketkeeper and an occasional part time fielder when not behind the stumps.
11. What trophies did Nicholas Pooran win?
He won two trophies with MI New York in the MLC and one with the MI Emirates (Abu Dhabi). Both teams are part of the Mumbai Indians (IPL) franchise.