On Tuesday afternoon, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that MGM Resorts International is now the official gaming and entertainment partner of MLB, as well as an official league sponsor.
As part of the multiyear deal, MGM will receive exclusive access to enhanced statistics offered by MLB, including Statcast data, as well as non-exclusive access to other stat feeds.
Along with data, MGM marketing and promotional material will be seen on MLB.com, MLB Network and the MLB At Bat app, while MGM will be allowed to use MLB's logos on its properties.
Additional fan engagement opportunities will be jointly developed, though it is unclear as to exactly what those will be at this time.
Per Manfred:
"We are pleased to partner with MGM Resorts International, a clear industry leader in the sports gaming area, to work together on bringing innovative experiences to baseball fans and MGM customers. Our partnership with MGM will help us navigate this evolving space responsibly, and we look forward to the fan engagement opportunities ahead."
This deal also includes an international aspect, with Japan being the primary focus.
For those wondering, Manfred said that he did not expect to see betting windows at MLB ballparks.
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This partnership follows in the footsteps of similar deals made by the NBA and NHL. Both leagues partnered with MGM in non-exclusive deals that include access to advanced data and statistics.
This leaves the NFL as the last of the four major American sports leagues to not have a gaming partnership in place. Though the NFL as a league does not have an official partner, the New York Jets and MGM joined forces on a gaming partnership at the end of October.
This year's MLB Winter Meetings will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino — an MGM property — in Las Vegas from Dec. 9-13.
