MGM Resorts International has been a busy beaver ahead of their quarterly earnings announcement on Thursday. By Monday of this week, they already announced the partnership with GVC, Mississippi sportsbook openings, and a partnership with Boyd Gaming. Now it's time for another big sports betting announcement (or two).
On Tuesday the NBA announced that MGM Resorts would be the first official 'gaming' (not gambling) partnership. The deal allows MGM Resorts to use official NBA data and branding. However, this is a non-exclusive deal so expect the NBA to pimp this deal to other casino and sportsbook operators around the country.
MGM Resorts becomes the Official Gaming Partner of the NBA and WNBA.
MGM Resorts will use official NBA and WNBA data.
MGM Resorts will use NBA and WNBA branding across land-based and digital sports betting offerings throughout the U.S.
MGM Resorts shows their commitment to responsible gambling and protecting NBA game integrity.
Beyond the data use and "integrity" efforts, this is essentially a marketing deal. MGM Resorts created an easy-to-read presentation that mentions that MGM Resorts and the NBA will collaborate to create a series of integrations across NBA platforms, including a special digital content series.
Neither the NBA or MGM released financial details of this deal. However, Darren Rovell from ESPN tweeted that the deal is for three years and more than $25 million. Every other casino and sportsbook operator is probably cursing at MGM Resorts for putting a price on official data and branding.
The NBA plans on shopping similar deals around to other casino and sportsbook operators. MGM Resorts hasn't said if they will be making similar deals with other leagues.
This deal reflects the strong relationship that MGM Resorts and the NBA have formed over the past several years. MGM Resorts is a partner for the NBA Summer League. The casino operator also owns the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces.
MGM Resorts has been trying to get an NBA team to play in Las Vegas for years. MGM Resorts is co-owner of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This deal continues a good relationship that could one day include a team playing in Las Vegas.
Towards the end of the press conference, MGM Resorts CEO, Jim Murren, announced that the company would begin taking mobile wagers in New Jersey by the end of the week. This is the first announcement on when any sportsbook operator in New Jersey will take mobile wagers. MGM Resorts owns Borgata. Expect more details on this later in the week.
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