Polymarket Reportedly Invests $300 Million to Partner with MLB, Joins Forces with CFTC to Ban "Micro Predictions"

Major League Baseball (MLB) officially designates Polymarket as the official prediction market exchange. Polymarket not only secures exclusive rights to use MLB trademarks but also gains exposure at league games and digital channels, along with exclusive access to official data. MLB has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to ensure the integrity of the events.

(The U.S. CFTC signs a cooperation MOU with MLB to establish a regulatory framework for prediction markets)

It is rumored that the sponsorship amount could reach $300 million, surpassing the betting contracts of the NFL.

While the official financial details of this partnership have not been publicly disclosed, according to Front Office Sports, sources indicate that Polymarket is expected to pay MLB up to $300 million annually over the next three years (with conservative estimates around $150 million). Regardless of the final amount, this significantly exceeds the 2021 contract between the NFL and betting giants like DraftKings (averaging about $66.7 million per year per company), demonstrating how prediction markets are reshaping the global sports industry.

Exclusive Trademark and Official Data Rights

In an official statement, MLB announced that Polymarket and its brokers will receive exclusive rights to use MLB logos and related trademarks, and will access official game data through MLB’s global exclusive data distributor, Sportradar. As part of the commercial partnership, Polymarket’s branding will be prominently featured across MLB’s digital platforms and physical league events.

MLB Teams Up with CFTC to Limit Micro-Event Predictions

Last year, MLB was involved in a scandal where two pitchers were indicted for match-fixing and bribery. To prevent game interference and corruption, MLB signed its first MOU with the CFTC, establishing a regulatory framework between the sports league and federal agencies. Together with Polymarket, MLB is restricting potentially risky “micro-prediction” items, such as individual pitch outcomes, head coach decisions, and umpire performance. MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. reaffirmed that protecting the integrity of the game on the field remains the league’s highest priority.

Relaxed Regulations Drive Growth, Polymarket Continues Expanding in Sports

In recent years, prediction markets have opened up to allow investors to trade on a wide range of events, from sports and politics to pop culture, with popularity soaring. Since the CFTC eased regulations and Polymarket successfully re-entered the U.S. market last September, the platform has embarked on large-scale commercial expansion. Before securing the exclusive MLB contract, Polymarket had already partnered with Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Hockey League (NHL), actively consolidating its leadership in sports betting.

(WBC: The U.S. team unexpectedly loses to Italy, and the qualification still counts! But prediction markets had already settled on “USA advancing”)

This article about Polymarket’s $300 million alliance with Major League Baseball and the joint CFTC ban on “micro-predictions” first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.