Let’s Get Digital: MLB And MLBPA Ink Marketing Deal

MLBAM and the MLBPA have entered into a five-year, $50M-plus deal that gives MLBAM exclusive rights to use and sublicense MLB player group rights for online and wireless applications, including fantasy and

interactive games. MLB.com will also host the MLBPA’s official Web site, which will be rebranded MLBPlayers.com, as well as the official Web pages of all MLBPA players (THE DAILY). USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand writes that under the agreement, MLB “is expected to more heavily promote online fantasy games, possibly creating games that incorporate MLB’s video footage of games” (USA TODAY, 1/19).

AND ACTION! USA TODAY’s Rod Beaton reports MLB “will zigzag the country with open casting calls to find fans devoted and dynamic enough to appear in six ‘I live for this’” TV ads. The casting calls begin Saturday in Boston where Red Sox officials expect 4,000-5,000 fans or more, and continue in St. Louis, Houston, N.Y., L.A. and Anaheim. Fans from all six cities will appear in the ads (USA TODAY, 1/19).