The NFL’s New York Jets have signed a partnership deal with MGM Resorts International. The deal will allow the Jets and MGM to cross-promote their products at MGM Resorts and Jets home games.
With the agreement, MGM is now the official gaming partner of the Jets. MGM will also sponsor the facility responsible for the Jets multimedia production and content, the Jets 360 Production Studio.
New York Jets season ticket holders and Jets Rewards members will have a host of perks available to them by virtue of the deal.
The majority of those perks will await them at MGM properties throughout the United States, particularly Borgata in Atlantic City. Borgata, of course, is home to one of the NJ sports betting sites (playMGM) and a retail sportsbook.
Obviously, management for both organizations was excited. MGM CEO Jim Murren had this to say in a press release:
“We could not be more excited to join with the New York Jets for a first-of-its-kind partnership in the NFL. We look forward to working with the Jets to innovate gaming, increase our customer base through cross marketing opportunities and provide NFL fans with a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.”
Jets fans will now say ‘I Called It’ more often
One main portion of the deal is that Jets fans will now have access to an expanded version of the playMGM game known as I Called It.
I Called It is a mobile app that MGM calls a “play-along predictive game.”
Essentially, Jets fans compete with each other to see who can predict the outcome of the current drive on the field. Correct predictions result in points for each player, and the winner of a given game is determined using a leaderboard.
I Called It is available for both home and away Jets games. The top three places on the leaderboard each week win prizes.
Until the deal with MGM, those prizes were limited to team merchandise and related gift cards. However, Jets fans will now have the ability to compete for additional prizes.
Those prizes are likely to include gifts redeemable at MGM locations.
Busy week for both MGM and the Jets
The deal came during a week that has seen both organizations announcing more than one partnership deal. MGM, in particular, continues to add to a growing list of strategic partnerships.
This week, the casino giant became the first operator with a league-wide partnership with the NHL. Although individual teams have joined with other companies already, Monday’s announcement was the first to involve NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
As a result, MGM now has its fingerprint on three of the four major sports leagues, at least in some capacity. Only Major League Baseball still eludes a deal with the company. At this rate, it won’t be for long.
Meanwhile, the Jets announced this week that the team had gained a sponsorship from European gaming titan 888. 888 will place advertising at MetLife Stadium for its online casino going forward.
The Jets also have a partnership with FanDuel, although that partnership only pertains to daily fantasy sports. Incidentally, FanDuel’s first retail sportsbook operation lies across the parking lot from the Jets’ home stadium.
All these New York Jets sponsorships come courtesy of an NFL owners vote to allow gaming companies to join with NFL teams. However, the Jets will have to walk a very fine line, as the vote specifically prohibits advertising for sports betting.