Baseball could be the next sport to embrace gambling and sports wagering.
For years, sports gambling has been a major tenant of fandom around professional teams.
Some leagues (NFL, NBA) have realized this and tried to at least find their piece of the pie in the millions of dollars wagered, spent and advertised on the business. Now it’s Major League Baseball’s turn to jump in.
According to the New York Post, an executive associated with a MLB team met with a bookmaker last week.
A major league sports team executive met with the owner of a bookmaker last week to pitch sponsorship opportunities, The Post has learned.
While leagues have looked to grab a piece of the what could become a $10 billion-a-year sports gambling business in New Jersey — mostly through a hoped-for 1 or 2 percent integrity fee attached to each wager — the revelation that individual teams may now be interested in partnerships means in-stadium advertising for bookmakers could be coming down the road.
Yankees overpaid or underpaid?
Next up: A sport-led ruling over team sponsorships with gambling outlets.
Major League Baseball is expected to come up soon with a policy about team sponsorships with bookmakers, a source close to the league said, should the ruling allow such bets.
“My sense is baseball has no hard line” against associating with sports betting firms, the source said.
How would this look? In-game and in-stadium sponsorship is most likely. Don’t be surprised if the “DraftKings fifth inning” is a phrase that comes through on television or radio sometime in the very near future.
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
-
Men’s New Era White/Navy New York Yankees Spring Training Circle Foam A-Frame 9FORTY Trucker Adjustable Hat
$29.99 Buy Now -
Toddler Tiny Turnip White/Navy New York Yankees Hat Cross Bats 3/4-Sleeve Raglan T-Shirt
$37.99 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era Navy New York Yankees National Baseball Hall of Fame Low Profile 59FIFTY Fitted Hat
$43.99 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era Orange/Pink New York Yankees 1999 World Series Mango Passion 59FIFTY Fitted Hat
$43.99 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era White/Purple New York Yankees 2000 World Series Grape Lolli 59FIFTY Fitted Hat
$43.99 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era Gray/Red New York Yankees World Series Champions Navy Undervisor 59FIFTY Fitted Hat
$43.99 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era x Ralph Lauren Purple New York Yankees Retro Crown 59FIFTY Fitted Hat
$495.00 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era Gray New York Yankees 2023 On-Field Batting Practice 59FIFTY Fitted Hat
$43.99 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era x Billionaire Boys Club Dark Green New York Yankees 59FIFTY Fitted Hat
$69.99 Buy Now -
Men’s New Era Navy New York Yankees 2000 World Series Wool 59FIFTY Team Fitted Hat
$49.99 Buy Now