• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

A Sports Betting Startup for Casuals

  • NBA legend Kevin Garnett and The Players Tribune co-founder Jaymee Messler teamed up on a sports betting startup aimed at casual fans.
  • The two see the industry as catering to niche fans.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett and The Players’ Tribune founder Jaymee Messler are launching a sports betting and gaming startup for casual fans called The Gaming Society. 

“We are creating something that doesn’t exist in the current landscape,” Messler, the company’s CEO, told FOS. “No platform is catering to sports fans that don’t know or understand how to bet.”

The Gaming Society has launched a newsletter, a sports betting course, and a podcast. It does not operate a sportsbook, but its website currently offers a betting promotion with FanDuel.

“Education is 100% needed in the betting space,” Garnett told FOS. “Sports betting is almost set up so that you will fail. But our education will hopefully set more people up for success and give them confidence to make bets.”

  • Sports betting is active in 21 U.S. states and legal, but not yet established, in nine more. 
  • The sector brought in gross revenue of $283.9 million in April, bringing the 2021 total up to $1.24 billion, according to the American Gaming Association. 

With $334 million in NBA salary earnings and a 2008 NBA Championship, Garnett is the second highest-paid NBA player of all time. Asked if he sees team ownership in his future, Garnett replied: “Hell yeah! I am really interested in emerging sports and women’s sports, in addition to the obvious.”

Garnett was interested in purchasing the Minnesota Timberwolves before the team, along with the Minnesota Lynx, was bought by a group led by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore for a total believed to be around $1.5 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 15, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates in the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Little Caesars Arena.

Malik Beasley Is Latest Betting-Related Headache for NBA

It’s the third NBA betting scandal in the last year-and-a-half.
Ippei Mizuhara

Ohtani’s Ex-Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Reports to Prison After Delays

Mizuhara’s 57-month sentence was supposed to begin in March.
Quincy Taylor

Several Americans Banned in British Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal

Five former Surrey Scorchers players were hit with lengthy gambling suspensions.
Mar 30, 2025; Spokane, WA, USA; LSU Lady Tigers guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) shoots against UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) during the second half of a Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game at Spokane Arena.

Louisiana Sports Betting Set to Aid LSU and Other State Schools

Louisiana lawmakers have been creative in finding state money for NIL.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Shai

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Becomes NBA’s First $70 Million Player

The superstar could’ve waited for an even bigger deal next year.
Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.
June 30, 2025

Rape Suit Against QB Retzlaff Dismissed, but He’s Still Leaving BYU

Retzlaff admitted to “consensual” sex, violating BYU’s strict honor code.
June 30, 2025

What Would a LeBron James L.A. Exit Look Like?

ESPN’s Bobby Marks said “there isn’t” a trade market for James.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 30, 2025

As NBA Salary Cap Rises, Role Players Are Getting $100M+ Deals

The salary cap has increased by 10% in three of four seasons.
June 29, 2025

Malik Beasley Being Investigated in NBA Gambling Probe

If proven, the claims could lead to Beasley’s lifetime expulsion from the NBA.
Joopiter, Michael Jordan card
June 27, 2025

Michael Jordan Rookie Card Sells for Record $2.5M in Eyebrow-Raising Auction

The auction, which received only one bid, sets a new record.
June 27, 2025

As Wimbledon Approaches, Sinner and Alcaraz Solidify New Era

Sinner and Alcaraz have won the last six Grand Slams.