• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

ESPN Expands Betting Content With Eye Toward Own Sportsbook

  • ‘Daily Wager’ host Doug Kezirian promoted to ‘Sports Betting Insider.’
  • New roles/shows for Tyler Fulghum, Joe Fortenbaugh, Anita Marks and Erin Dolan.
ESPN Images

ESPN is still exploring the launch of its own branded sportsbook. As the Worldwide Leader in Sports seeks to join the sports betting gold rush, the network is beefing up its content portfolio.

Just in time for football season, the network has promoted Doug Kezirian to “Sports Betting Insider.”

The Las Vegas-based Kezirian has hosted ESPN’s sports betting news/information show, “Daily Wager,” since its launch in March 2019.

With the move, ESPN is seeking to position Kezirian as the “Adam Schefter or Adrian Wojnarowski of sports betting,” said one source.

Kezirian will continue to appear on “Daily Wager” and author multiple betting columns each week on ESPN.com, including last-minute betting advice and picks for Saturdays and Sundays.

Other changes:

  • ESPN Sports Betting Analyst Tyler Fulghum will take over the host role of “Daily Wager.” He’ll continue to contribute outside the show, appearing on “SportsCenter” and “NBA Today.”
  • “Daily Wager” contributor Joe Fortenbaugh will host a new digital show/podcast about the lucrative world of sports betting.
  • Sports Betting Analyst Anita Marks will host a weekly sports betting show on ESPN Radio Los Angeles from 7-10 p.m. PT. She’ll continue to host “The Anita Marks Show” on ESPN New York radio.  
  • Sports Betting Analyst Erin Dolan will host a new sports betting show on Snapchat dubbed “Bet with Erin Dolan” each Monday.  

“Fans are craving sports betting content, and ahead of and during football season we want to provide it to them,” said Scott Clark, ESPN’s vice president, fantasy & sports betting content. 

“We have added some talented minds to the diverse and well-respected industry experts we already have, and are implementing new creative ideas into the mix. Now we’re just ready to watch it all unfold starting with football season.”

With more than half of U.S. states legalizing sports betting (including its home state of Connecticut), ESPN has been in negotiations with potential sports betting partners about launching its own branded sportsbook.

ESPN has talked about licensing its famous four letters to sports betting giants such as DraftKings, Caesars, and FanDuel, said sources. Such a deal could fetch up to $3 billion for ESPN and parent The Walt Disney Co., according to the Wall Street Journal.

During an earnings call, Disney chief executive officer Bob Chapek confirmed his company is exploring a move into the $165 billion sports betting industry.

“Sports fans that are under 30 absolutely require this,” Chapek said.

ESPN has had co-exclusive marketing deals with DraftKings and Caesars since September 2020.

Disney inherited roughly 6% of DraftKings through its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019. The two companies have been in business together since 2015 when ESPN named DraftKings its “official Daily Fantasy” offering across platforms.

Activist investor Daniel Loeb is lobbying Disney to spin off ESPN; in part because it would give the sports network more flexibility with betting.

On Wednesday, Disney chief financial officer Christine McCarthy shut down talk of a spinoff, saying the company likes “the hand we have with ESPN.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

UNC’s Bill Belichick Brings His NFL Swagger to ACC Media Days

UNC is becoming one of the most interesting stories in college football.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Sports personality Stephen A. Smith arrives before the CFP National Championship college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
opinion

Why Stephen A. Smith Could Succeed in Dwindling Late-Night TV Era

The face of “First Take” has shown interest in talk-show hosting.

‘ACC Huddle’ Joins College Football’s TV Road-Show Race

This season, “ACC Huddle” will broadcast from the conference’s weekly marquee game.
exclusive

ESPN Locks in Bulk of Bill Belichick’s First UNC Season

The network’s ACC media rights deal will pay off this season.

Featured Today

Limited Hype

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.
Ryan Field Construction
exclusive
July 19, 2025

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.

CBS Sports to Get New Owner As Skydance Merger Clears FCC Hurdle

The long-awaited, but highly debated, merger gains regulatory approval.
A Peacock sideline reporter holds a microphone with the NBC Peacock logo during Michigan State's football game against Washington on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
July 24, 2025

‘Unusual’: NBCU’s Surprise Interest in a New Cable Sports Network

Its previous channel NBCSN was shuttered less than four years ago.
Dec 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; A general view of Times Square during the MLS Cup Times Square Watch Party prior to the game between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.
July 24, 2025

MLS Reveals Apple TV Streaming Numbers, Raising Questions

The league gives a rare glimpse inside the high-profile streaming pact.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 20, 2025; Portrush, IRL; Scottie Scheffler celebrates with the Claret Jug after winning the 153rd Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Portrush.
July 22, 2025

Scheffler Pushes The Open to Largest Audience Since 2022 at St Andrews

McIlroy’s Masters victory in April remains the highest-rated major of 2025.
WNBA
July 22, 2025

WNBA All-Star Ratings Dip From Clark High, Still 52% Over Old Record

Caitlin Clark did not play due to a groin injury.
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of the ESPN Monday night Football logo during the first half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
July 21, 2025

NFL Owners Told to Prep for Potential Disney Media Deal Vote

A sale of NFL media assets could finally happen after four years.
July 17, 2025

Netflix Beats Projections Again—and Plots Big Holiday Sports Slate

The streaming giant again beats analyst projections in every respect.