MLB PLAYERS AGREE TO AI AVATARS THAT CAN CHAT WITH FANS

Major League Baseball players are taking a significant step into the next phase of digital fandom.

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A new agreement will allow top players to be transformed into interactive Al characters, opening the door to direct, always-on engagement between athletes and fans in ways that were previously impossible.

A NEW DEAL FOR PLAYER LIKENESSES

Under the agreement, MLB Players Inc. has partnered with Genies to create Al-powered avatars based on real MLB players. MLB Players Inc. is the commercial arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association and manages licensing and group rights for players across the league.

The deal gives Genies permission to use player likenesses to build digital characters that fans can chat with, interact with, and eventually purchase digital items from. These Al versions are designed to reflect a player's personality, tone, and public persona, rather than acting as generic chatbots.

TURNING FANS INTO ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS

For decades, fan engagement has largely been one-directional, limited to watching games, following players on social media, or occasionally attending meet-and-greet events. This initiative is meant to flip that dynamic by offering ongoing, interactive access through Al.