Red Sox choose MGM partnership over Encore
By Josh Resnek
The Red Sox announced last week that MGM Resorts International will be known as the official and exclusive resort casino of the Boston Red Sox, with game day VIP hospitality, while using the MGM Grand’s facility in Springfield as home plate for the partnership.
The announcement is believed to be a snub of Wynn Resorts Encore project in Everett -not because the facilities are inferior to those in Springfield – but rather – because the Red Sox were not going to put themselves in a position to be criticized about sexual harassment issues dogging Wynn/Encore,” according to an official of the club who wished to remain unnamed.
Also, Wynn’s business plan depends on large numbers of heavy hitting gamblers pouring millions of dollars out of their pockets and into the casino’s money room. Wynn does cater to the hoards of smaller gamblers MGM courts at its location.
The Steve Wynn, Wynn Resorts historic failure to deal with sexual harassment issues have not yet gone away, despite drastic changes in the management of Wynn, one of the world’s leading, if not the leading casino/hotel/entertainment destinations in the world today.
The Red Sox switch from Foxwoods in Connecticut to MGM is believed to be an effort to position the team for sports betting, which is a jump and step away from becoming a reality in Massachusetts, according to an article that appeared in the Boston Herald.
Major League Baseball already has a multi-year deal with MGM Resorts. It is unknown whether or not Encore bid for the new marketing arrangement with the Red Sox.
Encore has not commented publicly on the MGM deal inked with the Red Sox. Red Sox officials said the MGM logo – the MGM Lion – will appear on the Green Monster as this new season gets set to begin in April.
Although the new company running Wynn and Encore has divorced itself from Wynn’s treachery with the sexual harassment issues and a spate of lawsuits contesting Encore’s right to exist as the gaming license holder, Encore remains under review by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
A hearing on its suitability to be the license holder is expected sometime in April.
“This is such a natural partnership for our two brands. MGM has set the standard in the hospitality and entertainment industry and their recent expansion into the Commonwealth makes them a clear partner,” said Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy.