Jamdat catches mobile MLB rights

Jamdat Mobile today announced that it has reached an agreement with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, the Internet and interactive media company of Major League Baseball, to acquire the exclusive rights to develop and publish wireless games featuring the league's properties. The length and financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

The deal also gives Jamdat the non-exclusive rights to trivia, fantasy, and manager-style mobile games.

"One of our goals is to create opportunities for our fans to extend their relationship with the game and with their favorite Clubs and players," said George Kliavkoff, MLBAM senior vice president, business development. "Working with JAMDAT to allow fans to play fully branded and licensed games on their wireless handsets goes a long way toward achieving that goal."

The mobile rights to the MLB were previously nonexclusive. This season, both Jamdat and THQ Wireless plan to release MLB-themed mobile games, Jamdat Sports MLB 2005, and Big League Baseball 2005, respectively. Mforma is releasing a non-MLB-licensed title, CBS SportsLine Baseball 2005.