BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse, brands under the Chicago-based gaming and betting firm Rush Street Interactive, have signed former MLB player and manager Bobby Valentine to an exclusive brand and content partnership. Valentine brings with him over 50 years of experience in professional baseball, having played for teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, New York Mets, and Seattle Mariners. His managerial career includes leading the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and the Boston Red Sox, as well as guiding the Chiba Lotte Marines to a championship in Japan.
In his new role with BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse, Valentine will create content for networks and social media while participating in weekly video, podcast, television, and radio interviews related to Major League Baseball. His background also includes a successful stint as a broadcaster and analyst, where he contributed to programs on ESPN and NBC.
Valentine expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited to be joining the BetRivers team at an exciting moment in the evolution of sports betting. This partnership will allow us to share my passion for competitive sports while at the same time providing valuable commentary to fans.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, shared his excitement about Valentine joining the team, saying, “We are thrilled to have Bobby Valentine, whose career spans six decades, join our BetRivers family of brand ambassadors. His vast knowledge and valuable MLB insights will be a tremendous asset to our sports bettors.”
Rush Street Interactive operates in 12 states across the U.S. It was one of the early entrants in the regulated sports betting market. On January 8, New York launched mobile sports betting, with Rush Street Interactive among the four approved operators that went live on opening day. Recently, BetMGM also entered the market, while four additional operators await approval. This announcement follows the resignation of Rush Street Interactive's co-founder, Greg Carlin, at the end of the previous year.
