NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders Signs Deal to Represent BetMGM

• Sanders will represent BetMGM in his new role as “celebrity brand ambassador”
• Lions running back joins a growing group of retired players representing top sportsbooks
• Michigan off to a roaring start introducing online wagering and will be a top 5 US market

It has been a big start for Michigan and for BetMGM thus far in 2021, grabbing headlines with their booming successful launch for mobile sports betting. The company also has a retail onsite location at MGM Grand Detroit.

They can now add another attention grabber, announcing the signing of Hall of Fame member Barry Sanders to a multi-year deal as a “celebrity brand ambassador”. In this new role, Sanders will star in BetMGM’s upcoming marketing campaigns and participate in a variety of events with BetMGM customers.

BetMGM is the first Official Sports Betting Partner of the Detroit Lions, with whom Sanders played 10 memorable seasons. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1997 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Sanders felt honored plus excited to be in this new starting position for BetMGM and said:

I’m excited to be a part of the BetMGM team and hop on the ride of the fastest-growing sports betting app in the business. Typically, I am the one breaking records in Michigan, but it is amazing to see what BetMGM already has accomplished in my home state.

Sanders New Role

Sanders, a former Heisman Trophy winner will engage with BetMGM sportsbook players and MGM Resorts’ M life Rewards loyalty members through public and private events, both virtual and in-person. In addition, Sanders will appear in BetMGM social media content and make guest appearances on radio and television programs nationwide.

Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer for BetMGM added a comment on Sanders new position with the company:

It’s an honor and surreal moment for all of us at BetMGM to team up with Barry Sanders. Adding Barry to the BetMGM family brings a new level of excitement and the potential for us to create unique experiences for our customers.

Celebrity Endorsements

BetMGM seems to be leading the way for top sportsbook operators adding celebrities to the role toward gaining more publicity and credibility for their brand.

Oscar-winning actor and comedienne Jamie Foxx’s originally broke new ground for BetMGM into the growing space of famous faces endorsing and promoting rapidly growing sportsbooks across the US.

Other well-known sports stars have also joined noted sportsbook operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, and PointsBet in working roles to promote their brands. Famous retired players including soccer stars Neymar Jr. and Ronaldo, NFL greats Devin Hester and Andrew Luck and popular NBA backcourt wizard Alan Iverson have all embraced publicized opportunities to represent sportsbooks.

Quick Start for Michigan Online Sports Wagering

Sanders can help build upon the initial momentum Michigan has achieved since only starting mobile wagering on January 22. Early reports have new online gaming states Michigan and Virginia accounting for approximately 25 percent of all overall US volume of legal online wagering. This information according to GeoComply, which provides geolocation tracking services for the internet gaming industry.

The BetMGM app is available for download on both iOS and Android in 10 US states including Michigan, Virginia, Nevada, New Jersey, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.