Maryland Jockey Club Partners With Oak View Group on Pimlico, Preakness Operations

The Maryland Jockey Club struck a multi-year deal with Oak View Group last week, handing the global live entertainment firm control of brand partnership sales for Pimlico Race Course as the storied Baltimore track prepares to reopen in 2027. The agreement marks the first time Oak View Group has represented a U.S. horse racing property, expanding a portfolio that already spans arenas, stadiums, and music festivals across four continents.

Under the arrangement, OVG Global Partnerships will develop and sell sponsorships, brand activations, hospitality packages, and year-round commercial opportunities tied to Pimlico and the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.

"Partnering with Oak View Group brings an unmatched level of global partnerships expertise to Pimlico Race Course and the Preakness Stakes," said Bill Knauf, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. "As we continue investing in the future of this historic venue, OVG's ability to connect world-class brands with one of sport's most celebrated events will help elevate the fan experience and ensure the Preakness remains a premier destination for fans and partners alike."

Oak View Group, founded in 2015, already has a substantial presence in Baltimore. The company has put more than $250 million into the CFG Bank Arena redevelopment, repositioning that venue as a major East Coast entertainment destination. Dan Griffis, President of OVG Global Partnerships, framed the Pimlico deal as a continuation of that regional commitment. "We believe deeply in the Baltimore community and its residents," Griffis said. "With the world-class renovations underway and nearing completion, this venue is poised to reemerge on the global stage and attract visitors from around the world."

For Prince George's County, the agreement carries indirect but real stakes. The MJC, established in 1743 as the oldest sporting organization in the United States, operates Laurel Park at Route 198 and Racetrack Road as its active racing home while Pimlico undergoes renovation. Laurel's racing calendar continued without interruption through this week, with live results posted through April 10. How the expanded commercial infrastructure around Preakness weekend ultimately shapes purse structures and event programming at Laurel will be closely watched by track employees, vendors, and businesses along the Laurel corridor.

OVG's entry into horse racing signals that Maryland's flagship racing venue, once its rebuilding is complete, is being positioned not merely as a local sports institution but as a national sponsorship platform.