• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

Disney Targets Younger Fans with Sports Betting

  • Disney is looking to sports betting to boost ESPN as people drop their cable subscriptions.
  • It could license its name to a sportsbook.
ESPN
ESPN/Design: Alex Brooks

ESPN is caught between the two major forms of media distribution — and may turn to sports betting to move forward.

Disney CEO and Chairman Bob Chapek indicated that he doesn’t see sports betting clashing with the parent brand’s family-friendly image because there is “a very significant isolation” in how customers view ESPN and Disney.

The sports media giant has long been a major revenue driver for Disney through the high prices it charges cable companies — around $10 per month per subscriber — but that source is waning as people drop cable subscriptions for streaming services.

While ESPN had around 100 million cable subscribers in 2011, that number had shrunk to 77 million at the end of last year.

  • ESPN+ grew 24.6% quarter-over-quarter and 76% year-over-year to 21.3 million subscribers in the fiscal quarter ending Jan. 1. 
  • The streaming service brought in $5.16 per paying subscriber.
  • ESPN+ is still in the red, however: Disney’s streaming division took a $593 million operating loss in the quarter.

Betting on Fan Engagement

While ESPN has reportedly sought to license its name to a sportsbook for around $3 billion, Chapek sees additional reasons to move into sports betting. 

He described the push toward gambling in a recent earnings call as “driven by the consumer, particularly the younger consumer that will replenish the sports fans over time, and their desire to have gambling as part of their sports experience.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN’s Jason Kelce Avoids Discipline After Viral Fan Confrontation

The dust continues to settle from Jason Kelce’s viral confrontation.
Tony Hinchcliffe at Donald Trump rally.

Sports Betting Companies Holding Comic at Arm’s Length After Trump Rally

Hinchcliffe drew criticism over his comments at a rally for Trump.
Donald Trump

ESPN Will Drop First 12-Team CFP Rankings in Heart of Election Night

The network traditionally hasn’t shied away from going up against election coverage.
Fubo-TV

Fubo Reports 9% Subscriber Growth As Venu Sports Trial Looms

The sports-focused streamer grew revenue by 21%.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Teams Face Crossroads at Season’s Halfway Point

0:00

Featured Today

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.

On the Ballot: Sports Betting, Former Athletes Impacting the 2024 Election

Several U.S. Senate candidates have sports backgrounds, while Missouri voters will consider legalizing sports betting.
October 29, 2024

Parent of Action Network, Playmaker HQ Cuts More Than 100 Jobs

Better Collective laid off dozens of employees this week.
November 1, 2024

Polymarket Is Pushing Into Sports Betting

Once the ballots are counted, Polymarket needs to take on sports.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
Tony Hinchcliffe
October 28, 2024

DraftKings ‘Evaluating’ Relationship With Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe After Trump Rally

DraftKings says his jokes did not “reflect the views” of the company.
A DraftKings sign
October 7, 2024

A DraftKings Exec Left for Fanatics. Then the Bitter Legal Battle Began

Mike Hermalyn has been sidelined at Fanatics for nine months now.
A Jacksonville Jaguars logo
October 1, 2024

Imprisoned Ex-Jaguars Employee Sues FanDuel for $250 Million

Amit Patel stole tens of millions of dollars from the NFL team.
September 16, 2024

MLB Players Union Sues DraftKings, FanDuel

The union says the sites don’t have the rights to use player images.