• Loading stock data...
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Tune in on Dec. 11 at 1:05 p.m. ET for our last Future of Sports virtual summit of the year – Future of Sports: Marketing! Register Now

Colin Cowherd’s New Podcast Network Going All-In On Sports Betting

  • Cowherd hires 23-year-old Olivia Moody to host new show on The Volume.
  • Podcast ad revenue expected to grow as much in next two years as past decade
Olivia Moody
Olivia Moody Credit: The Volume

The podcast industry is on track to surpass $1 billion in advertising revenue this year for the first time ever. With sports betting legalized in more than two dozen states, sports betting pods have become a hot format. 

Colin Cowherd’s new podcast network, The Volume, wants to tap into that market and attract millennials. 

To target those listeners, Cowherd is gambling on 23-year-old Olivia Moody  — a.k.a., “Liv Moods” — to host her own live video show/podcast. 

In a video posted Wednesday, Cowherd called her a “young, unique personality in the gambling space.”  Moody will be “all over” the company’s social media platforms, including TikTok, he added.

Cowherd, who hosts “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on FS1, used his own money to launch The Volume earlier this year in partnership with iHeartMedia. 

His new outfit joins The Herd Podcast Network, also a joint venture with iHeart, which debuted in 2018. (The two operations are technically unaffiliated.)

In its short history, The Volume has already inked a deal with The Action Network to feature that site’s flagship pod, “The Favorites.” The startup network also launched “Moneyline Monaco” with Alex Monaco — and scored a presenting sponsorship deal with FanDuel.

“Sports betting is the next biggest thing,” said Moody, whose show will stream live across The Volume’s social media channels during NFL and NBA seasons.

Still, Cowherd’s targeting an increasingly crowded market. 

ESPN offers “Behind the Bets,” with Las Vegas analyst Doug Kezirian. There’s “The Action Network Podcast” and “The Sports Gambling Podcast” from Blue Wire. During 2020, ESPN Podcasts grew 28% to a record 499.3 million downloads. 

Bill Simmons
exclusive

Sources: Bill Simmons Wants $200 Million For The Ringer

Bill Simmons wants roughly $200 million from Spotify Technology or other bidders…
January 20, 2020

With the new “Liv Moods Live,” The Volume” will offer nine podcasts, delivering 80 unique shows per month. 

Cowherd recently made headlines by signing four Notre Dame football players to create a pod called “Inside the Garage.”

Moody told FOS she’s studying up for the NFL season after previously focusing on the NBA. 

“There’s talk about sports books being in the stadiums and arenas — so people can place live bets. It is growing insanely fast. And the industry is getting very, very big,” Moody said.

“It took a lot of time for people to get on board with it. But now people are seeing just how much money is being pushed in and out of the betting industry.”

So what’s Cowherd’s end game with The Volume? 

The former ESPN personality could be looking to build up his own podcast network, said sources, then sell it ala Bill Simmons who sold The Ringer to Spotify for nearly $200 million.

“Sports gambling is exploding and I want to be the audio platform right next to it,” Cowherd told Axios in March.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sponsored

Racing Forward: How SailGP is Redefining High-Performance Sailing and Championing Gender Equality

SailGP is redefining high-performance sailing through their bold commitment to gender equality and their Women’s Performance Program.
Randy Moss

Randy Moss Taking ‘Extended’ ESPN Leave With Health Issue

Moss had discussed it on Dec. 1 before stepping away.
Sep 21, 2024; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars alumni and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith speaks with Adrian Wojnarowski in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Adrian Wojnarowski Reveals Cancer Diagnosis Influenced His ESPN Departure

The former ESPN NBA insider said his prostate cancer prognosis is good.
opinion

The NFL’s Top Clichés: 10 Tired Broadcast Platitudes

Viewers must wade through a stream of clichés during games and studio shows.

Featured Today

LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
November 30, 2024

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.
November 29, 2024

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”

How the Chiefs Are Prepping for Year 2 of Taylor Swift Mania

The pop star is expected to attend more games this season.
exclusive
May 13, 2021

Cris Carter Scores New Deal With Blue Wire Podcasts

Cris Carter has scored a deal with Blue Wire Podcasts. The Pro Football Hall of Famer will interview star receivers, past and present, on his new “WR1” podcast.
Actor Vince Vaughn throws out first pitch at Chicago Cubs game
exclusive
December 9, 2022

Vince Vaughn, Greg Olsen’s New Company Eyeing Financing

Greg Olsen and actor Vince Vaughn’s new company has launched first two podcasts.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
September 24, 2020

Office Hours: Alex Magleby, co-founder and CEO of the New England Free..

Alex Magleby, the New England Free Jacks co-founder and CEO, is bullish on rugby’s future in the U.S. and Major League Rugby.
August 13, 2020

Office Hours: Bart Conner, Owner of Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy and Former..

Bart Conner is the only American male gymnast to win a gold medal at every level of national and international competition.
July 22, 2020

Office Hours: Devon Kennard, Real Estate Investor

Devon Kennard has found success on and off the field with a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio that includes 14 different properties.
July 7, 2020

Office Hours: Isaac Rochell, Founder, Local Human

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end and founder of apparel company Local Human.