New York Jets Snag Two Gambling Partnerships With MGM And 888 Casino
MGM Resorts International has agreed to terms on a partnership with the NFL’s New York Jets to promote its PlayMGM NJ gambling website platforms and mobile apps as well as its casino locations.
The multi-year deal makes MGM Resorts the official gaming partner of the Jets. The agreement is the first of its kind and the most in-depth gaming partnership yet in the NFL.
Jets fans will now have access to a predictive mobile game on the Official New York Jets App. MGM Resorts will also sponsor and have access to the Jets 360 Production Studio at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
The Play MGM Studio will be the multimedia home for all Jets 360 content.
The NFL and legal sports betting
By creating this partnership, the New York Jets are helping bridge the gap between the NFL and legal New Jersey sports betting. The league only recently began to allow any type of sponsorship agreements between teams and casinos.
Both Jets President Neil Glat and MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren are very optimistic about this brave new world.
“We could not be more excited to join with the New York Jets for a first-of-its-kind partnership in the NFL,” said Murren. “We look forward to working with the Jets to innovate gaming, increase our customer base through cross marketing opportunities and provide NFL fans with a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.”
Of course, the NFL still prohibits any mention or promotion of sports betting. The partnership with MGM is purely for online gambling and not specifically sports betting.
Jet up
MGM Resorts will now be marketing with the Jets through signs at MetLife Stadium, along with social and digital advertisements for Jets TV and radio broadcasts.
Jets season ticket holders and rewards members will reap some of the benefits of this new deal. These will include first-class entertainment experiences and luxury rooms at its Borgata property in Atlantic City and other MGM properties in the US.
“We are proud to partner with an iconic brand like MGM Resorts and its renowned properties to bring a world-class gaming and entertainment experience to our fans,” said Glat. “This unique partnership also enables us to further engage our fans in the mobile and digital world.”
Part of this mobile expansion and interaction is based around the Jets’ “I Called It” game. The improved version will now consist of pre-play options, enhanced in-play features, more prizes, and larger leaderboards featuring Jets fans.
888 Casino and beyond
On top of the collaboration with MGM Resorts, the Jets have reportedly gotten a new sponsor from NJ online casino 888 Casino.
It’s the first time an NFL team has conducted any business with an online gambling company. Although the deal doesn’t technically sponsor the sports wagering side of 888 Casino, 888 Sportsbook is located on the same website right next to the casino and 888 Poker.
With these strategic moves, the Jets will more than likely set the trend for other NFL teams.
There’s too much money and potential in online gambling for teams like the New York Giants not to get involved like the Jets. With eight online sportsbooks in New Jersey and nine casinos, they have several entities to choose from.
It will only be a matter of time for other teams outside the state, too. Whether the NFL likes it or not, teams and casinos will be doing a lot more business moving forward.
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