When the NFL just lately acquired a ten % stake in ESPN, it quietly made a little bit of historical past. It seems that in buying that small slice of America’s largest sports activities information outlet, the venerable NFL additionally picked up a small share of the ESPN BET Sportsbook. In doing so, the NFL went from being one of many loudest voices towards regulated sports activities betting in america to being a minority stakeholder in that exact same enterprise.
Whereas the NFL is ready to revenue handsomely from its ESPN buy and its apparent advantages to the League, nobody on the group is speaking about its new sportsbook possession.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro just lately mentioned the cope with CNBC, and failed to say this essential facet saying, “By combining these NFL media property with ESPN’s attain and innovation, we’re making a premier vacation spot for soccer followers. Collectively, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how followers interact with the sport—anytime, wherever. This deal helps gasoline ESPN’s digital future, laying the inspiration for an much more strong providing as we put together to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”
Pitaro’s phrases appear gentle years from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s 2017 tackle sports activities betting, which was much less enthusiastic. “We nonetheless strongly oppose legalized sports activities playing. The integrity of our sport is No. 1. We is not going to compromise on that,” he stated on the time.
After all a lot has modified since 2017. Most significantly, the NFL has embraced regulated sports activities betting (although it by no means made a distinction between black market and controlled playing previous to 2019) in a giant manner. And with the League predicted to buy one other ten % of ESPN sooner or later, their curiosity in playing will solely develop.
