The NBA signed a new multi-year deal with MGM Resorts International to become the first official betting sponsor for a major U.S. sports league.
As part of the partnership, MGM Resorts will use official NBA and WNBA data and branding, on a non-exclusive basis, across MGM Resorts’ land-based and digital sports betting offerings throughout the United States. In a press release from the NBA announcing the deal, the league said it will work with MGM Resorts to make sure the integrity of NBA and WNBA games is protected, including anonymized real-time data sharing.
“As the landscape for sports betting in the U.S. continues to evolve at a rapid pace, MGM Resorts is a proven gaming leader for us to work with on this groundbreaking partnership,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “Our collaboration will result in the best possible gaming and entertainment experience for consumers through the use of accurate, real-time NBA and WNBA data, and our collective efforts to maintain and enhance the integrity of our games.”
According to ESPN, the deal, which includes the WNBA, is for three years for at least $25 million. A representative for the NBA did not immediately return TheWrap’s request for comment.
In May, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a federal ban on sports gambling, portending to a future that sees gambling legalized across most, if not all, of the 50 states. Currently, gambling is only legal in New Jersey, Nevada and soon-to-be Mississippi.
The NBA and MGM Resorts will work together to create a series of integrations across NBA platforms, including a special digital content series. MGM Resorts will be promoted across the NBA’s digital assets including NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA social media platforms. Additionally, the NBA will be promoted across MGM Resorts’ sports betting platforms.
MGM Resorts has been the title partner of the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League for the last two years. In 2017, MGM Resorts purchased the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.