MGM Resorts named Breakthrough of the Year

(PRESS RELEASE) -- MGM Resorts International was honored at the 12th annual Sports Business Awards as the "Breakthrough of the Year" recipient by the Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily, a division of Street and Smith's. The award was presented to MGM Resorts at the Sports Business Awards Ceremony in New York last week.

Last summer, MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren announced a historic alliance, naming MGM Resorts the "Official Gaming Partner of the NBA and WNBA." As the first sports betting operator in the U.S. to partner with a professional sports league in this category, MGM Resorts is a trailblazer, bringing millions of basketball fans and MGM Resorts guests together in an innovative and collaborative way. In the process, MGM Resorts is laying the foundation and setting expectations for all other partnerships, changing the way that consumers interact with sports betting operators, clubs and leagues alike.

"To win an award from the Sports Business Journal, one of the most recognizable sources for sports in the world, is an honor," said Murren. "As Las Vegas develops into a true sports destination, MGM Resorts will continue to invest in sports and look to create new and exciting partnerships. The sky is the limit."

In recent months, MGM Resorts has also formed groundbreaking sports betting and entertainment partnerships with the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. MGM has also formed individual team partnerships with the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Sacramento Kings and Boston Red Sox. In addition, the company is the owner of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas' first professional basketball team and is a joint venture partner in T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.

Launched in 2008, the Sports Business Awards were established by Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily to celebrate and recognize the leaders, visionaries and day-to-day practitioners who personify excellence in the business of sports. The 2019 nominees and were recognized for excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports for the period from 1 March 2018 – 28 February 2019.

The Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily's editorial team reviewed outside submissions and put forward its own suggestions to come up with nominees for the Sports Business Awards in a variety of categories. Winners were selected by a team of 29 industry executives based on clarity and effectiveness of presentation; specific answers and results on the criteria; and clear accomplishments over the year.