The XFL plans to start its season in February, just after Super Bowl 57. But starting a season has never been the XFL’s problem. Staying solvent during a season, however, has been an unsurmountable challenge.

This will mark the third attempt for the professional spring football league. And its new owners — fronted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — are hoping this time could be the charm.

XFL Host Cities Are Texas Heavy

In May, the XFL announced a multi-year broadcast contract with the Walt Disney Company and ESPN. But there will be few XFL teams located in the larger media markets.

When the XFL recently named its eight host cities, there were no teams from New York, New Jersey or California. Likewise, none of the teams are in storied sports cities like Philadelphia, Atlanta or Chicago. But the XFL has Texas covered. Three of the leagues eight teams will reside in the Lone Star State.

San Antonio, Houston and Arlington will all have XFL teams next season. Their Texas locale will be convenient, since the XFL be headquartered in Arlington. Also, since none of the teams have practice fields yet, Arlington is where all the teams will spend preseason. The remaining XFL host cities include, Orlando, St. Louis, Seattle, Washington D.C. and Las Vegas.

Likely XFL Prop Bets

They aren’t out there yet. But the prop bets associated with the success of the XFL are coming. Two we expect to see before long are:

Will the XFL fail before the start of the second season?
Will the USFL and XFL merge?

It’s hard to imagine two spring football leagues will be successful — especially since both leagues have failed multiple times. But this time could be different, for at least one of them.

The latest incarnations of the XFL and USFL have decent bankrolls behind them. The USFL has FOX Sports as a partner. Meanwhile, the XFL has Redbird Capital, the investment firm that owns the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC.

Attendance was a problem for the USFL, which played all of last year’s regular season’s games in Birmingham. The XFL is planning to play its regular season games at all its host cities, although a home stadium for Las Vegas has yet to be named. This could help the XFL’s in-person attendance, but it could also be a costly mistake.

In the USFL’s favor, it has players locked into two-year contracts, which may make it harder for the XFL to recruit for its 2023 season. Also, both sportsbooks and bettors have some familiarity with the USFL. Last spring, 15 states offered betting on the USFL. That was good for both television ratings and sportsbooks.

That being said, the XFL was enjoying surprisingly good ratings before COVID help push the league into bankruptcy. And if they play in 2023, sportsbooks and bettors will find them.

The post XFL and Its New Host Cities Hope the Third Time is the Charm appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Sports franchise ownership is more popular and competitive than ever. Once a playground for the families of billionaire businessmen, sports teams are attracting a tsunami of celebrities, actors, and athletes.

Broncos owned by Walmart heirs, Rice and Hamilton

This is Hamilton’s first financial investment in a professional sports team. But it’s not for lack of trying. In April, he and Serena Williams were part of a group that failed to acquire Chelsea FC. Chelsea ended up selling for more than $5 billion to a group led by Todd Boehly, co-owner of the LA Dodgers.

Hamilton wasn’t part of the initial group bidding for the Broncos. In June, the winning bid actually did go to the family of a billionaire businessman. Robert Walton, heir to the Walmart fortune, spearheaded the winning $4.65 billion bid. Walton’s daughter and her husband were also part of the venture. But the ownership group has grown since then.

Earlier this month, Condoleezza Rice came on board as a minority owner. And now Hamilton, the seven-time world champion F1 driver, has taken a stake.

Supporting the @NFL and showing my passion for the @OfficialBrowns! Can't wait for the season to start! pic.twitter.com/95UenwwL

— Condoleezza Rice (@CondoleezzaRice) August 13, 2012

Maybe Condoleezza Rice isn’t the first person you think of when you think of the NFL. But the former US Secretary of State has been associated with some of the hottest NFL rumors. For years, she’s described the NFL Commissioner as her dream job. Meanwhile, in 2018, Condi was apparently on the short list to coach the Cleveland Browns.

Denver: Improving odds and good value

Hamilton and Rice might have some fun watching the Broncos this season. While most people assume the Kansas City Chiefs are a lock for the AFL West, the Denver Broncos could be a contender. After the Broncos picked up QB Russell Wilson earlier this year, the team’s odds significantly improved. In fact, it looks the Chiefs, the Broncos and the Chargers are in for a tight division race.

Meanwhile, the NFL is a hot commodity. If team valuations continue to grow as they have, Hamilton and Rice could make a sizable profit on their Broncos investment. Sportico estimates the value of the average NLF team increased by 17.9% between 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, MLB franchises increased by 4.9% while NBA teams increased by 8.9% over the same time period.

The average value of an NFL teams is $4.14 billion, according to Sportico. The highest valued NFL franchise are the Dallas Cowboys, estimated at $7.64 billion. By comparison, the Broncos are valued at $4.65 billion, the team’s 2022 purchase price. That valuation put the Broncos in 10th place, giving them room to grow.

The post F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Joins Denver Broncos Ownership Group appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Racing fans the world over wished Sebastian Vettel well on his final F1 season. Sports bettors, however, were less focused on Vettel’s announcement and more intrigued by a change to Vettel’s car. Time will only tell how the odds will change based on who does — and doesn’t — adopt the new rear wing.

Rear wing could be F1 game changer

It’s rare that a 7th place practice finish turns heads. But Aston Martin and Vettel rarely place better than the mid-teens. So, Vettel’s top-ten finish in Saturday’s FP2 was noteworthy — especially since his car was fitted with a rear wing.

Apparently, Aston Martin found a loophole in the specs cleared it with the FIA. And while some downplay its role in Vettel’s practice runs, any potential edge is an edge worth testing.

“Obviously, this is a track where you try to have and put all the downforce on the car that you can. Obviously, there’s a new rear wing, it’s not a secret. – Sebastian Vettel

Well, it’s not a secret now. In fact, other teams are already thinking about a rear wing addition. Ferrari’s racing director Laurent Mekies said, “If they have asked the FIA and the FIA says it’s legal, then everybody tries it. If it’s faster it will come to the cars.”

During a team press conference Red Bull’s Christian Horner said, “If it is according to the rules, it is a possible way to go. And who knows, maybe we’ll copy something off Aston Martin rather than the other way around for once.”

Aston Martin and Vettel leave unfinished business

Vettel’s pending retirement is not a complete surprise. The 35-year-old driver’s contract was up at the end of this season. And while Aston Martin very much wanted to extend its relationship with Vettel, both sides were realistic about what another season would yield.

289 Grand Prix starts. 53 wins. 122 podiums. 57 pole positions. Four #F1 World Championships.

There will only ever be one #SV5. 💚#ThankYouSeb pic.twitter.com/h6ZWEuAARr

— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) July 28, 2022

When Aston Martin and Vettel joined forces in 2020, it seemed the perfect combination. Aston Martin had deep pockets and a desire to develop a competitive car. Vettel was a savvy veteran driver who was willing to help them on their journey.

Aston Martin’s performance, however, has been elusive and needs more time. And Vettel feels like time is of the essence in his life outside of racing, as the father of three explained on Instagram.

“Thank you for letting me share the track with you. I loved every bit of it.” – Sebastian Vettel

Vettel’s pending retirement is bittersweet. After all, racing was — and still is — his passion. It’s also hard for a world champion not to leave on top.  But even with unfinished business, both Aston Martin and Vettel value the experience they’ve shared.

The post Aston Martin Shakes Up F1 With Vettel Retirement and New Rear Wing appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Over the years, redevelopment of Willets Point, Citi Field’s neighborhood, has been elusive. Meanwhile, New York Mayor Eric Adams is the former chair of the NY State Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee. Cohen saw an opportunity.

Cohen lays the groundwork for Citi Field casino

Steve Cohen is a man who knows what he wants. And the billionaire hedge fund manager usually gets his way. At first, Cohen was rebuffed by the Wilpons when he had his eye on the Mets. Cohen, however, didn’t give up. It took months — and $2.4 billion. But Cohen bought the Mets. And now he has his sights on a Citi Field casino.

In the short run, Cohen may worry about where Juan Soto is going. But Cohen has long-term plans that extend just past Citi Field’s brick walls. Ever since January, when NY’s Governor released a budget plan, which included three new “downstate” casino licenses, Cohen has been busy.

Although it would take months for NY to approve a final budget, Cohen immediately went to work. In January, he invited the Mayor and other city bigwigs to review a redevelopment proposal for Willets Point. Since Cohen gave $1.5 million to a PAC to get Mayor Adams elected, City Hall’s attendance was expected. Cohen’s Willets Point proposal included new schools, affordable apartments — and a Citi Field casino.

A week later, Cohen sent Las Vegas Sands CEO Rob Goldstein to press the Mayor’s office to support a casino in Queens. But while the Sands was an early ally, it may not be the final winner of a Queen’s casino license.

Hard Rock could be the front runner

While the Sands did some of the early work on the Citi Field casino project, they aren’t the only ones in the running. According to the New York Post, Cohen has enlisted the investment bank Union Gaming in selecting a casino partner for the project. Meanwhile, sources claim Cohen is currently leaning toward the Hard Rock.

MGM Resorts already has a slots-only casino in Yonkers. It’s hoping to get one of NY’s three downstate licenses to operate a full-fledged casino. Likewise, Resorts World/Genting is looking to expand its slots parlor at Aqueduct in Queens. So, with potentially only one license in play, Cohen should find no shortage of willing partners.

Meanwhile, Cohen is keeping the skids greased. New Green Willets, LLC. already spent $99,000 this year lobbying City Hall. The firm is barely six months old and is associated with Cohen’s hedge fund Point72.

The post Mets Owner Steve Cohen Continues to Press for Citi Field Casino appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

The NFL obviously thinks the future is in streaming. In 2020, the league partnered with Amazon to stream the “NFL Holiday Blitz.” Earlier this month, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that NFL’s Sunday Ticket would go to a streaming service.

NFL+ Streaming Service Pros and Cons

The first tier of NFL+ will be reasonably priced at $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. Viewers will get to stream almost all the league’s games, including in-market games. NFL+ also offers a premier tier that provides commercial free replays. Its premier services costs $9.99 per months or $79.99 per year.

Current NFL Game Pass subscribers will be moved over to NFL+. Most people will like the change, since the premier tier is a little less pricey than Game Pass. Although there is one thing that NFL fans may not like.

Viewers won’t be able to access NFL+ on their televisions. At least initially, the NFL will only stream its new service to phones and tablets. And that’s a downer for fans that thrive on that big screen experience.

Waiting for the NFL’s Other Broadcast Shoe to Drop

Most people were expecting a streaming announcement from the NFL. Just not this particular announcement. The NFL will end its Sunday Ticket deal with its current provider, DirectTV, after the 2022-23 season.

DirectTV paid a hefty $1.5 billion a year for the privilege of broadcasting the NFL’s Sunday lineup. But the new provider is likely to pay significantly more. For one thing, there is a lot of competition for the pending contract. Amazon, Disney, and Apple have already submitted bids.

The new Sunday Ticket provider won’t be able to offer viewers a better deal than they have currently with DirecTV. And it’s not just because of the new contract’s price tag.

Neither NFL+ nor the new Sunday Ticket service can violate any of the terms and conditions the league has with its existing providers. Currently CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN and Amazon pay billions per year for their NFL media rights. As a result, the new Sunday Ticket service won’t be allowed to price the service much below the $300/year that it is today.

The post The NFL Launches Its New Streaming Service Into a Crowded Field appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Hamlin is no stranger to wins at Pocono. When he took the checkered flag there back in 2020, it marked his sixth Cup Series victory at the “Tricky Triangle.”

Joe Gibbs Racing was temporarily ecstatic, watching its drivers finish in the top two. But both cars failed the post-race inspection, giving the victory to Chase Elliott. Elliott never led the race, not even for one lap. Meanwhile, after Hamlin was DQ’d, he was able to channel his disappointment through humor.

Hamlin gets DQ’d … and last laugh

It doesn’t happen often. In fact, the last time a NASCAR Cup winner was disqualified was in 1960. That year, Emmanuel Zervakis had his Wilson Speedway title stripped for having too large a fuel tank. And the last — and possibly only other time — the top two NASCAR Cup finishers were DQ’d was in 1955, when both Joe Weatherly and Jim Reed were DQ’d for non-stock parts.

Hamlin and Busch were DQ’d for the same issue. Inspectors found a piece of tape under the sponsor’s wrap by the wheel well. After the race, Hamlin joked about the $300K tape. And later at home, he tweeted a video, drinking champagne next to the Pocono eagle trophy. If you look carefully, you’ll see that the eagle has a piece of tape in its mouth.

Live on EBay. 1 tainted trophy and 1 used bottle of champagne pic.twitter.com/kfZn6C877o

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) July 26, 2022

On Monday, Joe Gibbs Racing declined the opportunity to appeal the decision. Instead, the team took responsibility for an unvetted build process, leading to the inclusion of the vinyl tape.

Sportsbook responses to rare Cup DQs

So, did bettors get paid off for Hamlin’s initial victory or Elliott’s eventual win? The answer depends on where the bet was placed.

DraftKings and FanDuel declared both Hamlin and Elliott winners, paying off both bets. But that wasn’t true of all sportsbooks. For instance, Caesars’ policy dictates it pays on official results only. As a result, Caesars always waits for NASCAR’s post-race inspections. So, when Hamlin was DQ’d, Caesars paid off on Elliott. BetMGM, however, pays on unofficial results, which means it recognized Hamlin as the winner.

So, while Cup Series disqualifications are rare, Sunday’s race was a good wake-up call for sports bettors. Learn your sportsbook’s payout terms and conditions.

The post Denny Hamlin Gets DQ’d at Pocono Raceway, Wins the Internet appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Steve Kuhn founded the Major Pickleball League 2021. Kuhn owns Dreamland, a huge recreational entertainment center in Dripping Springs, Texas. Brees and Buss aren’t the only “big names” investing in the new pickleball league. Marc Lasry, co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, and former tennis pro James Blake are also early MLP stakeholders.

Was Brees’ pickleball Tweet a tell?

It may have started out as a joke. Initially, pickleball was a popular sport in retirement communities. So, when the Super Bowl MVP retired last year, Brees tweeted that he was undecided about his next chapter. But like all retires, he was considering pickleball.

Despite speculation from media about my future this fall, I’m currently undecided. I may work for NBC, I may play football again, I may focus on business and philanthropy, I may train for the pickleball tour, senior golf tour, coach my kids or all of the above. I’ll let you know

— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) May 15, 2022

What started out as a retirement pastime, however, is now the fastest-growing sport in the US. And what started out as a joke, culminated in Brees’ investment in the fledgling pickleball league.

“I am an avid pickleball player, fan and student of the game,” Brees said. “I look forward to helping raise awareness around the incredible players and competitions in MLP, helping grow the sport of pickleball and fostering overall fan engagement.”

For years, retired professional athletes lost money by investing in low-margin restaurant franchises, high-priced real estate, or speculative businesses. Six-time MLB All-Star Curt Shilling lost $50 million on a video gaming startup. Former NFL player and current QB coach Mark Brunell filed for bankruptcy protection after investing in two different real estate companies that went belly up. But lately, athletes are taking a smarter investment path.

Former/current pros who own sports franchises

The legendary fund manager Peter Lynch made a fortune with one simple strategy: invest in what you know. And that seems to be a lesson today’s professional athletes are learning. Granted, Drew Brees owning a pickleball team makes for a good headline. But it also makes sense, given the potential of sports franchise ownership.

For instance, when the NBA chooses Las Vegas for an expansion team, LeBron James wants in. But it won’t be James’ first sports franchise investment. James is already a minority owner in Fenway Sports, giving him a piece of the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool FC.

NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has a stake in the Kansas City Royals. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan is the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. At the time, Jordan paid $175 million for the franchise, which is now worth more than $1.5 billion. Magic Johnson is part of the investment group that bought the LA Dodgers for roughly $2 billion back in 2012.

In 2009, tennis divas Serena and Venus Williams bought a stake in the Miami Dolphins. Serena has since invested in Angel City FC, Los Angeles’ new NWSL team. More than a dozen former women soccer players are also part owners of LA’s NWSL team, including household names like Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm. Meanwhile, Serena Williams isn’t the only tennis star to own a stake in a NWSL team. Naomi Osaka is a part owner of North Carolina Courage.

The post Drew Brees to Co-Own Professional Pickleball Team appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Arguably, there are issues with basketball’s “one and done” model. College teams lose players just as they’re developing and the players don’t get the most relevant training to play pro ball. Meanwhile, the NCAA is hardly where you want to stick your up-and-coming international players. The G League — and especially Ignite — fills the obvious voids ignored by the NCAA.

NBA G League move sets stage for Vegas

While Jalen Green has moved up to the NBA, Ignite fans will still get to see some top prospects. For instance, Ignite just signed Sidy Cissoko to a one-year deal. The 18-year-old Cissoko is considered one of Europe’s top three prospects. And there will be many more making their way to Nevada now that Ignite has found a new home.

Once forbidden ground for any professional sport, Las Vegas has become a sports Mecca. Leagues worried about the optics of a Vegas team in a locale that allowed gambling on sports. After the Supreme Court lifted the US sports betting ban, however, that all changed.

Just weeks ago, G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim hinted about a move to Vegas.

“With avid sports fans in the Las Vegas area who have quickly embraced their hockey, football and WNBA teams, we can’t wait for NBA G League Ignite to showcase its future NBA stars and exciting brand of basketball,” Abdur-Rahim said

Ignite is no stranger to Las Vegas. While based in Walnut Creek, California, the team played its 2021-2022 home games in Las Vegas. Now, Ignite will be moving venues. Starting with the 2021-2022 season, the G League team will play in Henderson’s Dollar Loan Center, currently home to AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had been a longtime opponent of expansion. At the end of 2020, however, Silver changed his tune. Seattle and Las Vegas were considered top contenders. Those same cities popped up again in the rumor mill during a Bill Simmons podcast earlier this year.

Now that Vegas has both the NBA’s elite G League team and a WNBA team, NBA expansion seems all the more likely.

G League success stories

Since its launch in 2020, Ignite has ushered a number of players into the NBA. Jonathan Kuminga went from Ignite to winning the 2022 NBA Championship in his rookie year with the Golden State Warriors.

Jaden Hardy turned down offers from both Kentucky and UCLA. Instead, he signed with Ignite in June 2021. One year later, Hardy signed with the Dallas Mavericks and scored 28 points in his Summer League debut. Dyson Daniels is another Ignite alumni. Daniels was the eigth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft and signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Even before Ignite’s 2020 launch, however, the G League (formerly the D League) had been an important pathway to the NBA. For example, Rudy Gobert spent time with the Bakersfield Jam. It’s almost funny to look back at his highlight reel from those days. But those developmental league games turned Gobert into the “Stifle Tower” NBA fans recognize today. Gobert would go on to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year — three times.

Danny Green was a great prospect out of UNC, but after graduation, two NBA opportunities ended in waivers. As a result, Green did stints with both the Reno Bighorns and the Austin Toros. The San Antonio Spurs eventually gave Green another chance, and it worked. Green went on to win three NBA Championships.

Khris Middleton did a short stint with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He would eventually become the first G League player to make the NBA All Stars, which he did three times. Middleton also won a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics. So far, Middleton is the only former Mad Ants player who can make that claim.

The post Elite G League Team Move Re-Ignites Vegas NBA Expansion Hopes appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

Last month, Wynn Resorts provided a $500 million revolving loan to Wynn Macau. Meanwhile, Las Vegas Sands loaned Sands China $1 billion. The US casino parent companies have worked hard to keep the region’s gambling hub afloat, especially since their Macau gambling license renewals are hanging in the balance.

Loans to Macau casinos could cost Vegas gamblers

Las Vegas is on the rebound. In May, the Vegas airport had its third-busiest month in its history. Nevada casinos booked a gaming win of $1.3 billion — the fourth highest of all time. And average daily room rates topped $175. This is good news for casinos, but bad news for bargain hunters.

Usually, Vegas’ triple-digit heat brings about plentiful comps and incentives. This year, however, summer room rates, parking fees and resort fees are near their peak. Granted, the casinos have some losses to make up, given the 2020 COVID shutdowns and subsequent restrictions. But the gouging seems over-the-top this year.

MGM is a few week away from charging customers an Oxygen Access Fee if they want to breathe while staying on property. https://t.co/k79mXIHbXX

— Mitzula (@Mitzula) July 16, 2022

Maybe it’s because Vegas casinos aren’t just making up for their past losses. Many of them are making up for Macau’s current losses. Macau casinos shut down again last Monday due to a COVID outbreak.  Analysts now predict Macau’s 2022 gross gaming revenues (GGR) could be just 20% of their 2019 levels.

MGM Resorts, Wynn, and Las Vegas Sands all have Macau properties. So far, two of the three have floated sizable loans to bail out their Macau casinos. The timing could have been ugly for Apollo Global Management, the new owners of the Venetian and Sands Expo Center. But since it only bought the rights to operate the US assets, it dodged a bullet this time.

The breaking of Apollo’s curse

By many metrics, Apollo Global Management is a successful private equity company. But Apollo’s past association with a Las Vegas-based casino wasn’t pretty.

Apollo was responsible for the biggest casino bankruptcy in history. In 2006, Apollo and TPG Capital, bought Harrah’s Entertainment (later renamed Caesars). Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse.

When the deal finally closed, the US was in the depths of the 2007-08 financial crisis. Apollo shuttered some casinos to reduce costs, but it wasn’t enough to cover its massive debt. In 2015, the casino chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The bankruptcy rattled the industry. In fact, the Nevada Gaming Commission was somewhat reluctant to approve Apollo’s LVS license. During its hearing, the commissioners pressed Apollo to explain why the purchase of LVS wouldn’t end up like Caesars.

Apollo eventually won the approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission. And in a sense, maybe it will finally find good casino karma. After all, the $2.25 billion it paid for LVS’ US properties may help bail out the industry.

Ironically, Caesars — another big player without a Macau property — may fare best in 2022. Apollo sold its remaining stake in Caesars in 2019.

The post Macau Casinos Get $1.5 Billion in Loans from Wynn and LVS appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.

The Baltimore Orioles are hot right now, winning their last six games. But if you want to watch them play on Sunday, you won’t find the game on a national network — or even with your MLB.TV subscription. That’s because Sunday’s game is exclusive to Peacock premium subscribers.

The pros and cons of sports streaming

Having more competition for media rights has been a boon for sports leagues. Media providers are paying top dollar for streaming sports. For instance, Amazon bid $100 million a year to stream F1, but lost out to ESPN.

On one hand, having more providers is also a win for sports enthusiasts. MLS fans complained for years about the lack of coverage. Now, with Apple TV+, they’ll be able to watch every match. US-based cricket fans are likely to see more IPL matches through Times Internet and Willow TV. But some leagues are slicing and dicing their media rights to the point where viewers are paying more, while having a harder time accessing games.

MLB now has granted exclusive coverage to both Peacock and Apple TV+. While MLB’s Friday Night games are free — for now — on Apple TV+, MLB’s current demographic hasn’t had the easiest time accessing newer sports streaming providers. According to a 2017 Sports Business Journal survey, the average age of MLB viewers is 57 years old. That’s older than for most major league sports.

MLB may hope that offering more streaming options will bring in younger viewers, but possibly at the cost of its most loyal fans. Tweets like these are common.

The weekly reminder, @MLB, you are screwing over baseball fans with your Sunday morning pay-per-view game. Dad's been watching the Mets for 60 years, pays $250/month for cable, and had to pay $5 to watch the game, plus help signing up. No one in the family has the premium.

— BBK8_e (@BBK8_e) June 26, 2022

The NFL is also carving up its media rights. In a recent CNBC interview, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL Sunday Ticket will be going to a sports streaming service in 2023. Amazon, Apple and Disney (ESPN) are all in the running. The price tag for fans could run in the $300/year range.

Meanwhile, the regional media players are starting to weigh in. NESN is offering a Boston-centric streaming service for $30/month. Bally Sports (Sinclair Broadcast Group) is soft launching a streaming service covering Milwaukee, Detroit, Tampa, Miami, and Kansas City for $20/month.

Leagues are counting on sports bettors to foot the bill

If you’re a sports bettor with skin in the game, it may get pricey for the coverage you want and need. But that’s what the leagues and media providers are counting on, according to Sinclair’s CEO Chris Ripley.

“Numerous focus groups and studies have shown that folks who like to wager on games are more engaged and watch more hours,” Ripley said. “And the DTC [direct to consumer streaming] product will allow more ‘personalization’ to each fan. But let’s be clear. No wagers will be taken on Bally Sports +. Folks who want to place a bet will be directed to our licensed sports betting partners.”

The leagues know that sports betting is now a big part of their strategy. That’s one reason why the Las Vegas Raiders just hired Sandra Douglas Morgan as president. Morgan was most recently the chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and an attorney for MGM Mirage. In fact, the NFL just hired David Highill as the league’s first executive dedicated to sports betting.

So, the number and the expense of sports streaming solutions may lose some boomers and middle-class fans. But the leagues and media providers are gambling on sports betting to figure it out and pay the price.

The post Streaming Sports is Getting More Expensive and More Complicated appeared first on OnlineGambling.com | OG News.