The Detroit Tigers have become the first Major League Baseball (MLB) side to be sponsored by a sportsbook operator after agreeing a multi-year partnership with PointsBet.

The deal, which is focused on delivering enhanced fan engagement by providing matchday experiences, content and promotions around Comerica Park, follows on from Michigan’s legalisation of sports betting in 2019. 

“We are thrilled to welcome PointsBet as a gaming partner of the Detroit Tigers,” stated Chris Granger, Group President, Sports & Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. 

“Our incredible fans will love the unique experiences and innovative offerings that PointsBet’s personalised platform provides. We look forward to the fan-friendly enhancements this will bring to the game-day experience in and around Comerica Park for years to come.”

The online sportsbook will have television broadcast-visible branding at Comerica Park and will be featured on the Detroit Tigers Radio Network as part of the deal. Moreover, PointsBet has become the official gaming partner for Detroit Tigers and will be integrated into The District Detroit app and the MLB Ballpark app.

PointsBet will also have a sponsored presence on the Tigers’ digital platforms while also being regularly featured on The Word on Woodward, a twice-weekly live streaming show that airs on the club’s channel. 

Johnny Aitken, CEO of PointsBet USA, added: “The PointsBet team is excited to announce our groundbreaking deal with the Detroit Tigers and Major League Baseball, becoming the first legal sports betting operator in U.S. history to partner with an MLB franchise.

“PointsBet operates in rare space within the industry by owning our technology environment from end to end, which allows us to be extremely nimble on product innovation and personalised offerings to complement our app’s market-leading speed. 

“We offer the most betting options in the world on MLB games via our unique PointsBetting product, and we are excited to inject a unique and robust betting proposition into the great state of Michigan.”

The firm’s agreement with the Detroit Tigers was enhanced by the sportsbook’s previous agreement with the MLB, which sees PointsBet become an authorised gaming operator of the league. The partnership grants PointsBet with the right to use official MLB data and logos within its products. 

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