• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 3, 2025

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

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.
Jun 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the third quarter during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

‘Existential Threat’: Underdog Sports Sues to Stop AG’s Fantasy Sports Opinion

The California AG is expected to release his opinion by Thursday.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

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.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
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 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.