American Soccer Star Tim Howard Named BetMGM Brand Ambassador

• BetMGM Announced the Signing of Tim Howard as a Celebrity Brand Ambassador

• Howard’s Addition to BetMGM Launches Promo in Conjunction with International Soccer

• Caesars and Others Have Found Success Using Celebrity Brand Ambassadors

BetMGM Announced the Signing of Tim Howard as a Celebrity Brand Ambassador

In America, football (and therefore the NFL) might be king with an estimated 410 million fans, but worldwide it’s the other ‘futball’ that’s far more popular with 3.5 billion fanatics in love with soccer, which is why BetMGM named retired star Tim Howard as their spokesperson.

In a recent press release, Matt Prevost, BetMGM’s Chief Revenue Officer, said this about Howard, a retired goalkeeper, and his new role as the company’s latest celebrity brand ambassador:

“Tim Howard’s performances on the pitch thrilled a generation of U.S. soccer fans. With Tim’s support, we will bring a similar level of excitement to our customers through various games and interactive opportunities.”

Howard has “cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats” with a resume that stretches well past midfield, including a stint on the U.S. Men’s National Team where he holds the record for most saves by a U.S. goalkeeper in a World Cup game.

The 43-year-old New Jersey Native is 6’ 3” with an arm span to match and spent two decades in the English Premier League, Major League Soccer, and international play, the CONCACAF Goalkeeper of the Year in 2013, 2014, and 2015 and winner of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Now Howard can drop his fierce game face as he lives out his soccer retirement as the minority owner and sporting director of Memphis 901 FC an American professional soccer team founded in 2018 and based in Memphis, Tennessee, with his new BetMGM duties sprinkled in.

Not that Howard’s ambassador role will be minimal, especially during the run of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Howard’s Addition to BetMGM Launches Promo in Conjunction with International Soccer

Looks like now instead of preventing goals, Howard’s role will be to act as the sportsbook’s celebrity brand ambassador by engaging with BetMGM players and MGM Rewards members through public and private events, both virtual and in-person.

This means he also will appear in BetMGM social media content and make guest appearances on nationwide radio and television programs, a way for the sportsbook to help promote its latest launch of a series of free-to-play games and promotions, among other activations.

According to the release, BetMGM’s free-to-play games and daily challenges throughout the 2022 tournament include:

·       $250,000 Bracket – All BetMGM players can compete for a $250,000 grand prize for predicting the perfect bracket.

·       Penalty Kick Shootout Challenge – The daily free-to-play game will allow BetMGM players to face off in a shootout against the iconic American goalie.

·       New Customer Offer – Anyone who signs up for a BetMGM account during the tournament will earn a risk-free bet up to $1,000.

·       Existing Customer Offers – All customers will be able to access a portfolio of benefits during the tournament including risk-free one-game-parlay wagers, daily odds boosts, and tokens, as well as insurance on wagers placed on the first goal scorer.

Hiring Howard seems like a smart move by BetMGM considering how successful similar sportsbooks have been doing the exact same thing.

Caesars and Others Have Found Success Using Celebrity Brand Ambassadors

Caesars could be considered the leader in using celebrity brand ambassadors to help spread their name among the masses, so far using actors (Vince Vaughn), comedians turned actors (JB Smoove), and retired athletes turned comedians and actors (Manning brothers) in the role.

There are plenty of other examples of gambling companies enlisting the star power of celebrities, including boxer Mike Tyson working with Inspired Gaming, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo with PokerStars, and UFC fighter Conor McGregor with BetSafe and on PariMatch.

As the U.S. legal sports betting market continues to grow and evolve, expect to see even more famous faces hawking those betting products to help spread the good word and thereby maximize the action and revenue of those companies, the end goal of any successful business.