Operators roll out Massachusetts sports betting deals before launch

Boston Red Sox baseball stadium Fenway Park
Image: Shutterstock

With the start of Massachusetts online sports betting just days away, operators are starting to unveil their big initiatives in the state. Most of these deals involve getting the brands in front of existing Massachusetts sports fans, be it through team partnerships or media deals.

For BetMGM, the company aims to do that via an official team deal with the Boston Rex Sox. It is the first sports betting partnership for the Red Sox and will feature the BetMGM logo on the Green Monster, the famous left field wall of the stadium.

“The Red Sox are one of baseball’s most beloved organizations and we’re thrilled to bring BetMGM to their passionate fans,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer, BetMGM. “We look forward to working together to elevate the gameday experience in Boston.”

MGM had an existing relationship with the Red Sox before the start of sports betting in the Commonwealth. In 2019, MGM Springfield signed a deal with the team to be its Official Casino Partner, which remains in effect.

FanDuel will also get its brand in front of Red Sox fans thanks to a new deal with New England Sports Network (NESN). NESN is a regional sports network that covers both the Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. The two groups inked a multi-year sponsorship deal that includes commercials, in-game live reads, and activations on NESNBets.com.

“New England sports fans rely on NESN to deliver the best coverage and stats in our Red Sox and Bruins broadcasts,” said Sean McGrail, President & CEO at NESN. “We are excited to partner with FanDuel to bring new features and information to our telecast and our digital properties, including on NESNBets.com, equipping our fans with another level of data to inform their wagering and gaming decisions.”

“NESN is the premier destination for fans across New England to watch their teams compete and to stay up to date on the latest news surrounding their favorite players,” said Mike Raffensperger, Chief Commercial Officer of FanDuel Group. “We look forward to partnering with the team at NESN to bring a new form of entertainment to their broadcasts.”

Operators are on track to launch online betting in the state at 10 am on March 10. BetMGM and FanDuel are two of seven operators set to launch, including the Massachusetts-based Barstool Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbooks.