MGM Resorts International has unveiled a three-year sponsorship agreement with The Alliance of American Football, a new professional football league debuting a little under one week after next year’s Super Bowl, on Saturday February 9.
Founded by Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian, The Alliance, who welcomes MGM as an investor in addition to official sports betting sponsor and exclusive gaming partner, is currently building its media and technology platform in preparation for 2019’s launch.
In a media release, MGM, who will also hold in-play wagering rights, stated that “the investment represents its forward-looking view on the combination of live sports, real-time second-generation stats, and fan engagement – either for fun or for those who may choose to wager”.
Something Jim Murren, MGM Resorts chairman & CEO, built upon: “We are excited to team with The Alliance on this unprecedented partnership, which allows us to fully engage with fans and revolutionise the fan experience.
“We look forward to expanding our customer base into this exciting new league and sports betting opportunity.”
The Alliance is aiming to utilise MGM’s experience and operations within mobile gaming when it makes its first snap, with fans able to stream matchups for free through it’s app, which is to also enable fans to access “integrated gaming with real rewards”.
In addition, the MGM and GVC owned and operated platform will provide a range of sports betting options, in states where such activity is permitted following the fall of PASPA in May of this year.
Charlie Ebersol, CEO and co-founder of The Alliance, commented: “Our focus has always been to bring together best-in-class partners, to build a spring football league that will change the landscape of professional sports.
“We realised our overall mission and vision were in complete alignment with MGM. As one of the world’s largest and most successful gaming companies, and an industry leader in innovation, together we can revolutionise the sports wagering experience for fans in a way that’s never been done before. I’m proud to welcome them to The Alliance as our first official corporate investor.”
Featuring eight teams with 50-player rosters, The Alliance will see a ten-week regular season begin February 9, 2019 on CBS, followed by two playoff rounds and culminating with the championship game the weekend of April 26-28, 2019.
The eight cities, stadiums and head coaches are as follows:
- Alliance Orlando/Spectrum Stadium/Steve Spurrier
- Alliance Atlanta/Georgia State Stadium/Brad Childress
- Alliance Memphis/Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium/Mike Singletary
- Alliance Salt Lake/Rice-Eccles Stadium/Dennis Erickson
- Alliance Phoenix/Sun Devil Stadium/Rick Neuheisel
- Alliance San Diego/San Diego County Credit Union Stadium/Mike Martz
- Alliance Birmingham/Legion Field Stadium/Tim Lewis
- Alliance San Antonio/Alamodome/Mike Riley
