MaximBet announced Wednesday that they have reached a partnership deal with Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, the first active Major League Baseball player to endorse a sportsbook.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has taken a strict stance regarding gambling, prohibiting any players, coaches, and team personnel from the activity. They do, however, allow for players to endorse online sportsbooks. That was included in the collective bargaining agreement signed before the 2022 season.
Blackmon’s deal, financial details for which were not disclosed, will have Blackmon acting as a brand ambassador for MaximBet. Duties will include participating in marketing campaigns, fan events, promotions, and social media content.
"As I learned more about MaximBet, I knew this absolutely was the right brand for me," Blackmon said in a statement. "MaximBet has really attached itself to the local Colorado community, and I cannot wait to have some fun with MaximBet and surprising fans with incredible 'money can't buy' experiences all season."
MaximBet expanding reach
MaximBet is currently live and taking bets in Colorado and has plans to debut in Indiana and Iowa next. They also have additional market access to New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, along with several other markets, including the province of Ontario in Canada.
Daniel Graetzer, CEO of MaximBet, said in a statement he was excited to have Blackmon aligned with the company.
“Charlie is one of the most revered Rockies players of all time, and his style and career success makes him a perfect fit for MaximBet,” Graetzer said. “We are thrilled to welcome Charlie to the MaximBet family. We look forward to him hitting it out of the ballpark for us as we continue to grow in Colorado and across the country.”
While Blackmon is the first active professional baseball player to strike a partnership deal with a sports-betting company, he is not the first active athlete to do so. Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid inked a deal with BetMGM in March. Several former athletes including Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Peyton and Eli Manning have signed on as brand ambassadors for various companies as well.
Gambling, baseball getting friendlier
Major League Baseball has four authorized gaming partners. FanDuel, DraftKings, FOX Bet, and MGM Resorts all have deals with MLB. It gives those companies access to baseball data, league and team trademarks, and logos.
Teams have also forged deals with sportsbooks. Two years ago, the Chicago Cubs entered into a reported $100 million partnership with DraftKings. In addition to running ads at Wrigley Field, the Boston-based company plans on opening a sportsbook adjacent to the iconic ballfield later this year.
One stadium already has a sportsbook located inside its walls. Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, opened a BetMGM sportsbook. The facility is 4,000 square feet and includes a sports bar, wall-to-wall television screens, six betting windows, 17 kiosks, and a 40-foot bar.
Two other baseball stadiums have plans to open sportsbooks inside their stadiums. The Arizona Diamondbacks have a partnership with Caesars Sportsbook and are planning to open a facility inside Chase Field sometime in 2022.
The two-story book will be in a former restaurant space. It will include nearly 20,000 square feet of space and will include a restaurant concept from celebrity chef Guy Fieri, wall-to-wall TV screens, betting kiosks, and a bar.
Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, had planned to have betting kiosks in the new lounge at the Excelsior Level of the stadium, but they are currently prohibited. State lawmakers on working on legislation that would make betting kiosks available at stadiums, arenas, and racetracks.
In the meantime, the lounge will feature a multi-tiered dining room and outer patio seating, with views overlooking left field.
