New York Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter has recently signed on as BetMGM’s most recent brand ambassador and revealed he is no stranger to sports betting.
Jeter Reps BetMGM
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was a surefire, first-ballot Hall of Famer the moment he hung up his cleats. The only question was whether he would be the second inductee to get 100% of the votes, but there was one sportswriter who did not vote for the affable infielder, and Jeter was not shy about referencing him or her during his induction ceremony, although he or she was one of the few writers who wished their ballots to remain anonymous.
Jeter said, “Thank you to the baseball writers—all but one of you.”
But Jeter has been in the exclusive HOF club for nearly five years, and his most recent venture is partnering with mobile gaming brand BetMGM. It is a good fit for both, and Jeter was willing to talk about that relationship.
“BetMGM’s commitment to excellence and overall approach help them stand out as an innovator in their space,” said Jeter in a press release.
Derek Jeter Headlines BetMGM’s Expanding Roster of Sports Icons
It should be noted that Jeter has appeared in BetMGM’s national marketing campaigns, including the “Legendary Plays,” while plans are underway to have a Derek Jeter slot on BetMGM Casino.
“As BetMGM’s brand continues to evolve, we could not think of a better baseball ambassador to add to our Mount Rushmore of legendary athletes than Derek Jeter,” said BetMGM Chief Marketing Officer Casey Hurbis.
BetMGM has assembled an impressive team of brand ambassadors that join Jeter, including Barry Sanders, Tim Howard, and Wayne Gretzky, among others. Some of Jeter’s new tasks will include attending BetMGM VIP events and the company’s responsible gaming initiatives in both the U.S. and Canada.
Jeter’s Love of Michigan Football
In a recent exposé in People Magazine, Jeter confessed to being a college football fan, which led to a bet with “The Boss,” George Steinbrenner, the deceased former owner of the Yankees.
“I bet Mr. Steinbrenner one time, Ohio State, Michigan. And if Michigan won, I got to use his plane to go to the following year’s game,” Jeter, now 51, tells PEOPLE of the late Yankees owner. “And Michigan won, so I got to use his plane with a group of friends; we went to the game … We used to always go back and forth, Ohio State and Michigan, every year.”
As for his new role with BetMGM, Jeter noted he was particularly attracted to the company’s emphasis on responsible gaming.
“I come from obviously being a professional athlete, and the integrity of sport is number one. That’s first and foremost, but I think their focus on responsible gaming is something that stood out to me,” he says. “And they’ve made so much progress over the years, and you just watch how gaming has really increased the fan interest throughout sports.”
Jeter adds, “I was never really into fantasy sports, but I think the craze of fantasy sports started it because people are no longer just watching one particular game; they’re watching all kinds of games. So, it’s been fun to watch the evolution of betting.”
