Melbourne-based PointsBet Holdings Limited’s (ASX:PBH) wholly-owned subsidiary PointsBet USA Inc., has entered into a new multi-year deal to become a gaming partner of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball (MLB) team.
Following Michigan’s legalisation of sports betting in 2019, the partnership stands as the first sports betting partnership for a professional sports team within Michigan and is also the first for any MLB franchise. The agreement between PointsBet and the Detroit Tigers will begin for the upcoming 2020 Tigers season.
Johnny Aitken, CEO of PointsBet USA, said the ground-breaking deal with the Detroit Tigers and Major League Baseball, sees the company become the first legal sports betting operator to partner with an MLB franchise.
“PointsBet operates in rare space within the industry by owning our technology environment from end to end, which allows us to be extremely nimble on product innovation and personalised offerings to complement our app’s market-leading speed.
“We are excited to inject a unique and robust betting proposition into the great state of Michigan.”
As part of the multi-year deal, PointsBet will have television broadcast-visible branding at Comerica Park and will be featured on the Detroit Tigers Radio Network.
PointsBet will also have a sponsored presence on the Tigers’ digital platforms and be regularly featured on The Word on Woodward, a twice-weekly live streaming show that airs on the club’s channel. PointsBet will also be integrated into The District Detroit app and the MLB Ballpark app.
The partnership is made possible by the recent agreement between PointsBet and Major League Baseball, designating PointsBet as an Authorised Gaming Operator of MLB, granting rights to use official MLB data along with MLB marks and logos within PointsBet products.
“We are thrilled to welcome PointsBet as a gaming partner of the Detroit Tigers,” said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports & Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
“Our great fans will enjoy the unique experiences and innovative offerings that PointsBet’s personalized platform provides.
“As we usher in legal and responsible sports betting, we look forward to the fan- friendly enhancements that it will make to the game-day experience in and around Comerica Park.”