One of the world’s most renowned casino gaming brands just deepened its foothold in America’s pastime.
MGM Resorts announced a new partnership with the New York Yankees today, which will build on the company’s commitment to Major League Baseball and the greater New York sports betting and casino market.
MGM Resorts will now be designated as a “Proud Partner of the New York Yankees,” and the two organizations will collaborate on delivering exclusive VIP experiences to MGM Rewards members and baseball fans. The company will enjoy brand placement at Yankee Stadium on LED signage, first and third base rotational signage, and on the back of the pitcher’s mound during live local television broadcasts of select games.
Fans will have the opportunity to do things like watch batting practice from the warning track or throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium. MGM Resorts also plans to host Yankees-themed fan activities and experiences at its Empire City Casino featuring active Major League Baseball players and alumni.
Key quotes
In 2018, MGM Resorts and MLB formed a groundbreaking partnership in the U.S. and Japan which designated MGM Resorts as the first “Official Gaming Partner of MLB.” The company has also been an “Official Partner of MLB Players, Inc.” since 2022, so the Yankees collaboration only strengthens the gaming goliath’s brand recognition within one of America’s four major sports.
“Through branding displayed on signage inside Yankee Stadium and integrated into our television broadcasts, the MGM Resorts brand will only see increased exposure and recognition for its resort and casino properties - especially for the nearby Empire City Casino,” said Michael Tusiani, New York Yankees senior vice president of partnerships.
Empire City Casino sits less than two miles from the Bronx border and is one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the Northeast. MGM Resorts CEO & president Bill Hornbuckle alluded to how this Yankees partnership will help with the company’s plans for this big site too:
“As we continue working to secure a full commercial casino license at Empire City, this partnership allows us to further develop [Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway] to their potential, while providing the world-class hospitality guests have come to expect from the MGM Resorts brand,” said Hornbuckle.
Prime positioning
It will be interesting to see how the licensing process unfolds for MGM Resorts in the New York sports betting and casino market.
In June the company announced MGM Live, a livestream of casino games directly from the casino floors of MGM Grand and Bellagio in Vegas. Further penetration into the New York gambling arena with powerful partnerships like the one with the Bronx Bombers could help stimulate further expansion of MGM's iGaming and sports betting products too.
