The Raiders named BetMGM their "first official sports betting partner," according to Bailey Schulz of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. The deal will allow BetMGM to "provide educational information about its app to Raiders fans." This is an "extension of an existing multiyear partnership" announced in January between the Raiders and MGM Resorts that named the brand a "founding partner of the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium with signage, an MGM Resorts VIP entrance and a private MGM Club inside the venue." The team on Monday will play its first regular-season game inside Allegiant Stadium, with MGM Resorts "acting as the presenting sponsor" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/18). The Raiders join the Eagles and Giants in recently announcing sponsorships with gaming companies, and ESPN's Scott Van Pelt said, "I'm going to go ahead and assume we can talk like adults and not do that winking and nod thing we’d have to do. It’s going to be hysterical when the league fully embraces it and monetizes gambling and has the sportsbook right next to the hot dog stand" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 9/17).
MORE RAIDERS CANS COMING: In Las Vegas, Mick Akers notes the Raiders' official soft drink partner, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, "released limited-edition 16-ounce soda cans celebrating the Raiders’ first season in Las Vegas." These are the "latest Raiders-branded cans for sale to fans," as Coors Light and Modelo "released their own signature cans earlier this year." The soda cans are available at "select retailers across the Las Vegas Valley" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/18).
