• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, March 25, 2026

NFL Extends Deal With Betting Provider Amid 10 Player Bans

  • Genius Sports will remain the NFL’s betting data provider through 2028.
  • The league continues to double down on sports betting amid player suspensions.
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL is sticking with one of its most important sports betting partners — despite navigating an evolving industry and recently slapping players with season-long suspensions for violating policy.

Genius Sports will continue as the league’s exclusive sports betting data provider through 2028, extending a 2021 deal set to run through 2025.

The NFL had reportedly been seeking $100 million annually for its data rights, and the Genius deal was thought to be worth up to $1 billion in total. In 2022, the NFL became the largest American shareholder in Genius with a 7.7% stake. 

Genius collects and provides relevant information to the NFL’s sportsbook and media partners, essentially powering the very apps that ultimately get players in trouble. On the other hand, Genius monitors suspicious behavior and helps catch nefarious activity. 

The company was one of the first to be alerted when Calvin Ridley bet on his own team in 2021. 

Ridley, who was traded to Jacksonville in November in 2022, was suspended indefinitely during the 2021 season and reinstated in March 2023.

Despite strengthening ties in the betting space, the NFL is doubling down on reinforcing its sports gambling policies to players and team employees.

Staying In The Game

For Genius, keeping the NFL is key: Its competitor Sportradar has deals with the NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS. Genius stock was up more than 25% Thursday after the NFL extension was announced.

In its most recent earnings period, Genius increased its quarterly revenue by 25% year-over-year to $105 million, but widened its group net loss by 129.7% to $127.7 million.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
exclusive

Mike Tomlin Signs With Sports Media Agency The Montag Group

Tomlin is widely regarded as one of the top media free agents.
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles execute a tush push for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field.

NFL Rule Proposals Don’t Include Ban on Tush Push

The oft-debated play will not be reconsidered at the annual league meeting.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Green Bay Packers alumni welcome fans to the 2025 NFL Draft before the first round on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26.
exclusive

NFL Network to Continue Draft Broadcast Under ESPN

NFL Network has produced its own draft broadcast since 2006.
Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh

How Pittsburgh Is Remaking Itself for the NFL Draft

Local schools, hotels, and transit systems all adjust to forthcoming influx.

Featured Today

Beau Brune/LSU

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
The March Madness logo is pictured during a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday March 21, 2026.

Coinbase Takes Heat for Pushing March Madness Markets

Viral posts showed that users feel pummeled by sports event contract promotion.
March 20, 2026

NCAA Sues DraftKings Over March Madness Trademark Infringement

NCAA president Charlie Baker has also gone after prediction markets.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) reacts with third baseman Max Muncy (13) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the eleventh inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
March 23, 2026

Bipartisan Bill Wants Sports Banned on Prediction Markets

It’s the latest indicator that prediction markets have gone mainstream.
Sponsored

Why Capital Is Flooding Into Women’s Soccer

Assia Grazioli-Venier breaks down how she evaluates opportunities across the sports landscape.
In this photo illustration, a mobile device displays the Kalshi logo while a laptop displays the webpage of the prediction market platform in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)
March 20, 2026

Judge Temporarily Blocks Kalshi’s Sports Markets in Nevada

Nevada previously won a similar ruling in its case against Polymarket.
Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
exclusive
March 19, 2026

MLB Makes Multiyear Prediction-Market Deal With Polymarket

The league’s stance on prediction markets has rapidly evolved.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Fan with a Morocco flag inside the stadium before a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field.
March 18, 2026

Sportsbooks, Prediction Markets Split on AFCON Payouts

CAF named Morocco as champions after the controversial Senegalese victory in January.
Mar 14, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) drives to the hoop past Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell'orso (3) during the second half during the men's Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship at T-Mobile Center.
March 17, 2026

Prediction Markets Tap Into March Madness Despite NCAA Pushback

The NCAA remains “deeply concerned” about event contracts on college sports.