• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 23, 2025

‘Ochocinco’ Adds WynnBET Deal to List of Post-Football Endeavors

  • Chad Johnson is among the first crop of athlete ambassadors for WynnBET.
  • Johnson says he’s ‘not sure’ about pursuing role in traditional broadcast sports media.
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s NFL career ended nearly a decade ago at a time when the league was still fighting against legalized sports betting.

That landscape has changed. The NFL — which spent years and considerable amounts of money on lawyers and lobbyists to keep state-sanctioned sports betting limited to Nevada — enters the 2021 season with sportsbook partnerships with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, and FanDuel worth close to $1 billion over five years. 

“As long as the NFL can capitalize, it’s going to be huge,” Johnson told Front Office Sports. “The integrity and NFL shield, all that is extremely important, but that is smoke and mirrors based on what they really care about.”

Johnson, 43, has been named as one of the first athlete ambassadors for WynnBET, the company announced. He will appear in WynnBET branding, attend in-person events, promote the WynnBET app, and collaborate with the Blue Wire Podcast Studio at Wynn Las Vegas.

“I think WynnBET is the next big thing in legalized sports betting,” Johnson said.

WynnBET is a mobile sports betting app from the luxury hospitality company Wynn Resorts, currently available in six states: New Jersey, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana, and Tennessee. Other brand ambassadors include goalkeeper Tim Howard and former NFL center Nick Mangold. 

Johnson’s agent, Douglas Sanders, describes Johnson’s new partnership as a “good natural progression” for the former wide receiver. Johnson also has a partnership with Bleacher Report’s B/R Betting, which started in 2019.

On Saturday, he attended UFC 264 in Las Vegas, where Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier was the main event. Johnson was featured across various Bleacher Report platforms before, during and after the event.

Johnson stays busy across a variety of ventures:

  • He’s a “Madden Ratings Adjuster” for EA’s “Madden NFL” series and has his own Ochocinco Gaming esports team. 
  • He co-hosts the popular “I AM Athlete” podcast alongside Brandon Marshall, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder.
  • He made his exhibition boxing debut against pro MMA fighter Brian Maxwell on June 6. Although a winner was not declared, Johnson lasted all four rounds.

While his charisma can light up a room, it’s unlikely Johnson makes the jump to a permanent media role any time soon. 

“I’m not sure,” Johnson replied when asked whether he would take a gig on radio or television. “Usually when you become part of the media, they really stifle who you are.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

draftkings
exclusive

DraftKings Is Paying Up to $250M for Prediction-Market Railbird

The deal was announced Tuesday, but financials weren’t disclosed.
Joey Bosa

Joey Bosa’s L.A. Home for Sale for $3.7 Million

The Bills defensive end purchased the home last July.

NFL’s Goodell Stands by Bad Bunny: ‘It’s Going to Be a Great..

The commissioner is undeterred by political criticism of the halftime show choice.

NFL Tries to Revive Pro Bowl Games by Moving It to Super..

The event will be held in San Francisco during Super Bowl week.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.

DraftKings Buys Prediction-Markets Platform but No Sports Just Yet

Front Office Sports reported DraftKings was in talks to buy Railbird in August.
Inside NCAA Headquarters located in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10, 2023. Ncaa President Charlie Baker
October 8, 2025

NCAA Approves Plan to Let D-I College Athletes Bet on Pro Sports

The proposal still needs to be approved by D-II and D-III committees.
Jenny Just
October 13, 2025

Austin FC Co-Owner: Teach Your Daughters to Play Poker

She calls poker a “mind sport” like chess that teaches important life skills.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
NYSE
October 7, 2025

NYSE Owner Pours $2B Into Polymarket at $8B Valuation

Prediction markets keep pushing further into the mainstream.
Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Highmark Stadium.
exclusive
September 25, 2025

Kalshi, Polymarket Sought to Buy Prediction-Market Platform Novig

Novig is available in close to 40 states.
September 12, 2025

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball past Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during the second half at Soldier Field.
exclusive
September 10, 2025

Americans See Little Difference Between Prediction Markets and Betting

A survey found 85% of respondents believe sports event contracts are gambling.