A Major League Baseball player will now endorse a bookmaker in America for the first time.
MaximBet Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie BlackmonThe partnership will see the All-Star four-timer as a brand ambassador for marketing, promotions and social media content. It will also be available at fan events and online sportsbooks.
Blackmon cannot promote betting on baseball, but can endorse the sportsbook, as per MLB policy.
He is the first to take advantage of the opportunities in the betting space, which were part of the new baseball collective bargaining agreement. Prior to this offseason’s CBA, marketing and sponsorship deals with betting sites were only available to team and league entities. However, they were not available to players or coaches. The betting on baseball is not allowed for players, coaches or MLB personnel.
MaximBet and Blackmon have signed a deal that is the latest sign of MLB’s acceptance of legal sports betting in America. There are legal bookmakers in all 30 states and the District of Columbia. Multiple MLB ballparks have physical spaces for sportsbooks.
In a recent interview on SportsCenterRob Manfred, the MLB commissioner, spoke out about the future of in-game baseball betting.
“We view it as a way to increase fan engagement.” Manfred stated that it’s an additional way our fans can interact with the game. “I believe that in-game gambling will be a key component. Experts in the field don’t believe that outcome betting will be a major growth area. It is actually in-game betting (or prop betting) that is going to grow. The majority of that betting will be done on mobile devices.
MaximBet is an online sportsbook that was established in Colorado as an offshoot from Maxim. It plans to expand into Iowa, and Indiana.
Blackmon announced the partnership in a release. “As I learned more MaximBet, it was clear to me that this was the right brand.” MaximBet is a community-oriented company that has truly connected to Colorado. MaximBet will be a great partner for me and I look forward to sharing my excitement with MaximBet as well as surprising our fans with extraordinary’money can’t buy’ experiences throughout the season.