LAS VEGAS: The Alliance of American Football, the upcoming professional football league, which, alongside the revived XFL is being positioned as an alternative to the ubiquitous NFL when it comes to Americans’ attention, has set in place a revenue stream gambling five months ahead of launch.
MGM Resorts International and the new professional football league have entered into a transaction that includes an investment in The Alliance and a three-year sponsorship establishing MGM Resorts as the official sports betting sponsor of The Alliance and exclusive gaming partner.
For MGM Resorts, the investment represents its view on the combination of live sports, real-time second-generation stats, and fan engagement – either for fun or for those who may choose to wager.
The Alliance, founded by Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Polian, one of the most respected and accomplished executives in NFL history, and Charlie Ebersol, a longtime TV and film producer, is building its media and technology platform as part of the launch of the new league in February 2019.
Ebersol’s father, Dick, defined NBC Sports’ programming for more than two decades and created “Sunday Night Football.” Dick Ebersol, who also pioneered NBC’s Olympic broadcasts, will serve on the board of directors.
For The Alliance, the partnership gives the sports entity the ability to utilize MGM Resorts’ experience and operations with mobile gaming. When The Alliance takes the historic first snap in February 2019, fans will be able to stream Alliance matchups for free through its app, while accessing integrated gaming. And in states where sports gambling is legal, the sports betting platform owned and operated by MGM GVC Interactive will provide fans with in-game wagering while also still providing traditional sports betting.
MGM recently signed a deal to be the official gaming partner of the NBA, but its only exclusivity is sponsor designation. This deal marks the first time any sports organization has sold exclusive in-game betting rights to a sportsbook, ESPN reports.
“We are excited to team with The Alliance on this unprecedented partnership, which allows us to fully engage with fans and revolutionize the fan experience,” said MGM Resorts Chairman & CEO, Jim Murren. “We look forward to expanding our customer base into this exciting new league and sports betting opportunity.”
“Our focus has always been to bring together best-in-class partners to build a spring football league that will change the landscape of professional sports,” said Charlie Ebersol, CEO and co-founder, “We realized our overall mission and vision were in complete alignment with MGM. As one of the world’s largest and most successful gaming companies, and an industry leader in innovation, together we can revolutionize the sports wagering experience for fans in a way that’s never been done before. I’m proud to welcome them to The Alliance as our first official corporate investor.”
