The Detroit Tigers on Thursday announced a multi-year deal with PointsBet sportsbook, the first such partnership between a Major League Baseball franchise and a sportsbook.
Starting this season, PointsBet signage will be displayed at Comerica Park. The sportsbook will be featured on the Detroit Tigers radio network and on the team’s twice-weekly live broadcast program, “The Word on Woodward.” PointsBet will also be integrated into The District Detroit app, which details the area surrounding Comerica Park, as well as the MLB stadium app.
“Our big fans will enjoy the unique experiences and innovative offerings that the personalized PointsBet platform offers,” said Chris Granger, group president of Ilitch Holdings, the company that represents the Tigers, in a statement announcing the partnership. “As we initiate legal and responsible sports betting, we look forward to the fan-friendly enhancements that will make the game day experience in and around Comerica Park.”
The financial terms of the company were not disclosed.
Upon reaching an agreement with the Tigers, PointsBet became the last sportsbook to become a licensed game operator for Major League Baseball. PointsBet will receive access to the official MLB data source and the right to use the MLB marks and logos on the bookmaker’s products. Sports betting operator theScore Bet announced a similar partnership with MLB on Tuesday.
“I see baseball as the most problematic sport when it comes to betting innovation,” Johnny Aitken, CEO of PointsBet, told ESPN. “I think there may be a lot of innovation around baseball betting.”
Last year, PointsBet was the first in the US market, the bookmaker offered betting odds in individual at-bats in MLB games. Bettors could bet on whether a hitter would hit a home run or strike out, among other options.
“Even if you join the broadcast in the seventh inning, and the Tigers are winning 6-0 over the Red Sox, there is still an exciting way to put some action in for the rest of the game,” said Aitken.
The Tigers are the first professional sports franchise in Michigan to partner with a sportsbook, but they are not expected to be the last when the state enters the growing US sportsbook market. Legal bookmakers have opened. in 18 states and the District of Columbia since 2018, when the Supreme Court struck down a federal statute that had restricted regulated sports betting primarily to Nevada. Along the way, America’s top professional leagues reversed their longstanding opposition to legal sports betting and began developing business relationships with the gaming industry.
In June, the Denver Broncos became the first NFL team to partner with a sportsbook, as a team with FanDuel. The NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball have alliances with multiple sports betting companies.
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