• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

MaximBet Becomes First U.S. Book To Sign Active MLB Player In Deal With Blackmon

Colorado Rockies outfielder makes history by signing on as a brand ambassador for online sportsbook

Matt Rybaltowski by Matt Rybaltowski
April 20, 2022
in Industry
blackmon rockies

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A new provision in the collective bargaining agreement reached between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association last month enables active players to sign partnerships with U.S. sports betting operators.

When the two sides agreed on a deal on March 10, speculation mounted that a player with international appeal such as Shohei Ohtani or another former MVP like Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout could land the first deal with a legal U.S. sportsbook. But the first signing features neither a name on that level nor one of the more widespread mobile sportsbook apps.

MaximBet surprised many on Wednesday when it announced a landmark deal with Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon.

Under the deal, Blackmon becomes MaximBet’s first active professional athlete ambassador from the four major U.S. professional sports leagues. Selected in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Rockies, Blackmon ranks second in franchise history in hits, games played, and at-bats. Known for his distinctive bushy beard, the four-time National League All-Star captured the league’s batting crown in 2017 with a .331 average.

Something big is on deck at MaximBet… pic.twitter.com/zumn3BatwB

— MaximBet (@MaximBetUSA) April 19, 2022

“As I learned more about MaximBet, I knew this absolutely was the right brand for me,” Blackmon said. “MaximBet has really attached itself to the local Colorado community, and I cannot wait to have some fun with MaximBet and surprising fans with incredible ‘money can’t buy’ experiences all season.”

MaximBet, which went live in Colorado last September, plans to debut next in two Midwestern states, Indiana and Iowa. Owned by Carousel Group, MaximBet also has market access in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Charlie is one of the most revered Rockies players of all time,” MaximBet CEO Daniel Graetzer said. “We are thrilled to welcome Charlie to the MaximBet family. We look forward to him hitting it out of the ballpark for us as we continue to grow in Colorado and across the country.”

A shift by MLB

While Blackmon is the first active MLB player to sign with a sportsbook, he is not the first from any of the major professional leagues to partner with a sports betting operator. That distinction goes to Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, who inked a partnership with BetMGM last month. On Monday, Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder formed a partnership with Arizona-based Gila River Resorts & Casinos, hours after his team’s victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Playoffs.

As it relates to baseball, the Detroit Tigers became the first MLB team to sign a sponsorship deal with a U.S. legal sportsbook when the franchise agreed on a partnership with PointsBet last September. Meanwhile, both the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks have multi-year deals with prominent companies to operate retail sportsbooks within the vicinity of their respective venues. Just two weeks ago, Caesars Entertainment notched a multi-year partnership with the Mets to become an official sports betting partner of the team.

In-Box: The NY @Mets have named @CaesarsSports the team's official sports betting partner. As part of the multiyear deal, Caesars will open a new sports book lounge at Citi Field. pic.twitter.com/xjuK191XiW

— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) April 6, 2022

But MaximBet’s deal with Blackmon breaks new ground. As the MLB lockout dragged into March, MLBPA negotiator Bruce Meyer noted that the new provision allows players to profit from their names and “likeness in new ways.” As part of the partnership, MaximBet is also collaborating with artist Marcus Rivero (commonly known as SolesBySir) to design various personal interest items for Blackmon. Given Blackmon’s affinity for fishing, Rivero designed a personalized tackle bag, fisherman’s scissors, and cooler for Blackmon, as well as co-branded Rawlings gloves and Nike cleats.

MLB, Colorado prohibitions on sports betting

Under MLB Rule 21 (d), any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee caught betting on baseball will face a suspension of one year from the league. Under Colorado regulations, professional athletes residing in the state are also prohibited from placing sports wagers either retail or online. Prior to Colorado’s launch of sports betting in May 2020, a stakeholder at a Colorado Division of Gaming meeting on sportsbook regulations joked that it would be difficult to recognize any Rockies player inside a casino besides Blackmon.

Blackmon began growing the distinctive beard in the 2011 offseason after his rookie year ended prematurely due to a broken leg. By 2014, the first year Blackmon appeared in the All Star Game, the Rockies’ “Fear The Beard” campaign began to catch on.

From his beard to his beloved 2004 Jeep, Charlie Blackmon became an All-Star by doing things his own way https://t.co/FWptn6GR0Y pic.twitter.com/vGy3NDP4QY

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 17, 2017

According to Colorado regulations, MaximBet can offer player and team props on the Rockies as long as the offerings are not adjacent to marketing featuring Blackmon. In addition, Blackmon cannot promote baseball-specific promotions for the sportsbook, but he can promote signups, app downloads, the company’s loyalty program, and sports betting in general.

The Rockies will close out a three-game home series against the Phillies on Wednesday. Blackmon entered Wednesday’s game hitting .229 with one home run and four RBIs.

ShareTweetShare
Matt Rybaltowski

Matt Rybaltowski

Matt is a veteran writer with a specific focus on the emerging sports gambling market. During Matt's two decade career in journalism, he has written for the New York Times, Forbes, The Guardian, Reuters and CBSSports.com among others. In his spare time, Matt is an avid reader, a weekend tennis player and a frequent embarrassment to the sport of running. Contact Matt at matt@usbets.com.

Related Posts

yasiel puig indians
Legal

Yasiel Puig Facing Obstruction Of Justice Charges In Illegal Sports Betting Case

January 24, 2023
Chris Breen/USA TODAY
Sports

Caesars Enters Growing Microbetting Market With Simplebet Deal

December 15, 2022
Load More

Top Stories

patrick mahomes

Mahomes’ Ankle Speculation Twists Line Movement In Chiefs-Bengals Rematch

January 27, 2023
fanatics-grand-opening

Fanatics Sportsbook At FedEx Field Offers Unique Retail Option In Maryland

January 23, 2023
Shutterstock

Missouri Legislators Lament Exodus Of Bettors To Neighboring States

January 27, 2023
rob gronkowski adam vinatieri

Rob Gronkowski Goes Training Montage Route In Latest FanDuel Spot

January 17, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – Where To Play, Bonus Offers And Promo Codes

by Brian Pempus
January 25, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
January 27, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
January 17, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
October 20, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
October 6, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/OH/PA/WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News

loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location