MLB’s new deal ignites outrage: This is ‘dogs---’

Major League Baseball announced Thursday it has named Polymarket its official prediction market exchange and signed a memorandum of understanding with federal regulators, but the deals sparked immediate criticism from fans on social media. The league gave the crypto-based prediction market platform exclusive rights to use team logos and marks as part of a partnership that also includes an agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. signed the MOU with CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig one year after MLB called for stronger integrity protections in the prediction market space. The social media response was swift and negative. One user cited recent gambling cases in their criticism of the announcement, writing, “If you make this move you should immediately reinstate Emmanuel Clase, Pete Rose goes to the hall of fame and somehow you should get the charges dropped on Ippei (Mizuhara).” “Quite literally zero actual baseball fans asked for or wanted this,” one user wrote. Another commenter called the partnership “terrible,” while others expressed stronger disapproval. “Nothing has turned me off of sports betting faster than this dogs---,” one follower posted. Under the partnership terms, Polymarket and its brokers will receive exclusive access to MLB marks and logos for use in prediction market products. The platform will also access official league data from Sportradar, MLB’s exclusive global distributor of data for prediction markets, and receive brand exposure across MLB’s digital ecosystem and at league events. The agreement includes a comprehensive integrity framework. MLB and Polymarket will work together to restrict markets that present integrity risks, such as those involving individual pitches, manager decisions and umpire performance. Polymarket will integrate integrity controls into its U.S. rulebook to ensure all brokers meet the same standards. The MOU with the CFTC establishes information sharing between the league and regulators regarding the integrity of professional baseball and related prediction markets. Designated representatives will meet regularly to identify and discuss issues that may impact game integrity and the prediction market landscape. Shared information will be treated confidentially. While Polymarket holds exclusive rights as MLB’s official prediction market exchange, the league said it intends to establish integrity relationships with all other prediction market exchanges offering baseball contracts. Those exchanges will be required to integrate necessary integrity protections into their individual rulebooks. “The new agreements that we formed with Polymarket and the CFTC are imperative steps in proactively managing the new and rapidly growing prediction market space,” Manfred said in a statement. “Protecting the integrity of the game on the field is our top priority. By engaging in this community, we are able to work together to create clear boundaries with the goal of mitigating risk while providing fan engagement opportunities.” Shayne Coplan, founder and CEO of Polymarket, said the partnership aims to enhance fan engagement while maintaining sport integrity. “Polymarket is about bringing fans closer to the moments that define sports,” Coplan said. “By working collaboratively with Major League Baseball and regulators, we can create new ways for fans to engage with the game while protecting the integrity of the sport.”