CFTC and MLB Sign MOU to Protect Baseball Integrity

CFTC Press Releases

Published March 19th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The CFTC and Major League Baseball have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework for cooperation and information exchange regarding the integrity of professional baseball and related prediction markets. This is the first such agreement between the CFTC and a professional sports league.

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What changed

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Major League Baseball (MLB) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at protecting the integrity of professional baseball and its associated prediction markets. This landmark agreement, signed on March 19, 2026, establishes a formal channel for the CFTC and MLB to share information and collaborate on issues of mutual interest, consistent with applicable laws.

The MOU is designed to enhance the ability of both organizations to respond swiftly to incidents, anticipate emerging trends, and protect prediction markets and their participants from fraud, manipulation, and other abuses. While the agreement itself is non-binding, it signifies a commitment to cooperation and is expected to provide the CFTC with additional tools to safeguard these growing markets. This initiative is particularly relevant for entities involved in financial markets that may be influenced by or interact with sports-related prediction activities.

Source document (simplified)

Release Number 9199-26

CFTC and MLB Sign Groundbreaking MOU

March 19, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Major League Baseball today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, the first of its kind between the CFTC and a professional sports league.

The MOU establishes a framework for the CFTC and MLB to discuss, cooperate, and exchange information concerning issues of common interest including protecting the integrity of professional baseball and the relating prediction markets.

The MOU provides a mechanism for the CFTC and MLB to exchange information in a manner consistent with applicable law, which will enable both parties to more swiftly respond to incidents and better anticipate emerging trends. Pursuant to this landmark MOU, the CFTC and MLB confirm their commitment to working together to further their respective missions.

“The MOU is a collaborative step towards promoting the integrity and resilience of the prediction markets relating to professional baseball. Through this MOU, the CFTC is well-positioned to add additional tools to protect these markets and its participants from fraud, manipulation, and other abuses,” said CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig. “I thank MLB and Commissioner Rob Manfred for partnering with the CFTC and taking a leading role in protecting the integrity of these growing markets.”

-CFTC-