Insipred has signed a multi-year exclusive contract with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) to utilise the name, brand, image, persona and likenesses of its members commercially worldwide.
The gaming company intends to use its award-winning visual effects and the latest in-motion capture technology to bring the MLBPAA greats to life in Home Run Shoot Out, a virtual home run hitting competition, which can be licensed to all of Inspired’s virtual sports customers, both online and retail.
“We are pleased to announce our partnership with the MLBPAA, which allows us to produce the first-ever suite of entertainment products featuring the brands and images of its members,” said Brooks Pierce, president and chief operating officer of Inspired Entertainment.
“Fans will love cheering on their favourite superstar players of all time, creating a more passionate and competitive experience. We have had great success with our NFLA Legends of Football game and we expect to raise the bar even higher with Home Run Shoot Out.”
Inspired’s Home Run Shoot Out virtual baseball game will showcase some legends of the game, including Baseball Hall of Fame home run hitters Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson and Al Kaline, as well as other prominent former players. Fans can watch some of the greatest sports heroes in baseball history slug it out in a shortened home run hitting competition, where they can bet a number of different ways including the winning player, total number of home runs, correct score and the under/over markets.
Pierce added: “The game will initially be in a single-match format, but we are also developing a knock-out, tournament format with an overall tournament winner and we intend to continually introduce new legends to the game.”
The MLBPAA’s membership currently has more than 8,600 members composed of former Major League Baseball players.
“As the award-winning recognised leader in virtual sports, Inspired is the perfect fit for the MLBPAA and our members,” said MLBPAA president Brooks Robinson. “We are always looking for new and different channels to expand our reach, assist our members and help our local communities. This partnership with Inspired fits well within our primary mission. The Home Run Shoot Out suite of games helps position MLBPAA legends to grow their brands, embrace technology and remain in the front of the minds of their fans.”
The MLBPAA was formed to promote the game of baseball, raise money for charity, inspire and educate youth through positive sport images and protect the dignity of the game through former players. A non-profit organisation, the MLBPAA establishes a place where a player’s drive for excellence and achievement on the field can continue long after they take their last steps off the professional diamond.
