On-air ESPN talents expected to endorse sports betting with the launch of ESPN BET.
Sports betting has taken the world of sports media by storm, with ESPN being no exception. After May 2018, the approach to sports betting on ESPN switched from denying its existence to forcefully pushing it into conversations, regardless of the broadcaster's knowledge about the subject.
The anticipated paradigm shift is approaching with the launch of the ESPN BET sportsbook app, which partners with PENN Entertainment. While ESPN itself does not take bets, it is closely associated with the app, marking a significant change in the sports broadcasting landscape.
With the upcoming launch of ESPN BET, the question is how the push to promote it will influence on-air content. Several high-profile ESPN personalities have expressed their opinions on sports wagering in the past, and their histories could shed light on how frequently they'll incorporate "ESPN BET" into their discussions.
Scott Van Pelt (SVP)
Scott Van Pelt, known for his "Bad Beats" segment on SportsCenter, has never shied away from discussing wagers. He's vocal about his support for sports betting and often shares betting-related insights. With ESPN BET, SVP will likely be more than eager to share the odds with his viewers.
Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith, while not an avid gambler, has showed support for legal sports betting. In 2018, he declared it "long overdue" to legalize wagering, and more recently, he mentioned that gambling has become a "fabric of the sports world." Considering his stance, he's likely to support ESPN BET.
Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman, the color analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football, is not known to insert betting angles into his coverage. However, he has an endorsement deal with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, and he commented that Calvin Ridley's suspension for wagering on NFL games "seems like an awful lot." These hints suggest that Aikman may be supportive of mentioning betting lines during games.
Joe Buck
Joe Buck, Aikman's broadcast partner on Monday Night Football, made a subtle, sly comment about betting lines during a game in late 2021, indicating he might be open to more straightforward betting-related comments with the launch of ESPN BET.
Mike Greenberg
Mike Greenberg, the host of the ESPN+ show Bettor Days, is a strong advocate for sports betting legalization. He's openly discussed the potential benefits of legalizing sports gambling and is likely to mention ESPN BET whenever appropriate.
Linda Cohn
Linda Cohn, the longest-tenured active SportsCenter anchor, has been quiet on the topic of betting. However, she made a friendly wager with a colleague in 2015, indicating she may not be strictly opposed to sports betting.
Mel Kiper Jr.
Mel Kiper Jr. has also stayed relatively quiet on the topic of betting, but he has been willing to place bets against colleagues. In 2020, he bet Todd McShay a cool $5,000 that Justin Herbert would be selected before Jordan Love.
Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit is hesitant to make picks on the games he's working, but he has publicly engaged in peer-to-peer wagers in a non-game context. His willingness to discuss wagers in a public forum indicates he may be open to discussing ESPN BET when appropriate.
Buster Olney
Buster Olney has expressed that he "can't bet and doesn't bet," but he is open to engaging in conversations about betting. In 2020, he wrote an article discussing MLB teams' win total over/unders, showcasing his willingness to discuss betting concepts, even if he doesn't participate in betting activities himself.
Tony Kornheiser
Tony Kornheiser typically stays away from betting, but he frequently invites former professional gambler Jeff Ma to his show to offer NFL picks. This suggests that Kornheiser and his fellow commentators on Pardon the Interruption may occasionally discuss betting topics, including ESPN BET.
Adam Schefter
Adam Schefter, ESPN's primary NFL scoop-ologist, has been a subject of speculation due to his involvement with Boom Entertainment, a creator of casino and sports gambling apps. He has also previously discussed fantasy football on his podcast. While Schefter does not typically present betting content, he may be more inclined to engage in betting discussions with the advent of ESPN BET.
ESPN BET is set to launch in November, ahead of the NFL's third weekend of the month. For more information on the ESPN BET promo code, visit our sportsbook review for details.
Enrichment Data:
The integration of ESPN BET has significantly influenced ESPN's on-air broadcasting habits, particularly in terms of the integration of sports betting content. For instance, former ESPN personality Erin Kate Dolan often featured sports betting discussions in her YouTube content, aligning with ESPN BET's offerings.
Several other personalities, such as Stephen A. Smith and Troy Aikman, may not directly focus on ESPN BET, but the broader shift towards betting content on ESPN impacts their shows as well. The rebranding of the Daily Wager to ESPN BET Live and the inclusion of betting-focused segments in mainline shows exemplify the network's commitment to sports betting content. This change has led to more segments discussing odds, betting lines, and sports wagering tips across various ESPN programs.
- Scott Van Pelt, known for his "Bad Beats" segment on SportsCenter, is expected to be more than eager to share the odds with his viewers on ESPN BET.
- Stephen A. Smith, while not an avid gambler, has shown support for legal sports betting and is likely to support ESPN BET.
- Troy Aikman, the color analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football, may be more open to discussing betting lines during games with the launch of ESPN BET.
- Joe Buck, Aikman's broadcast partner on Monday Night Football, may be open to more straightforward betting-related comments with the launch of ESPN BET.
- Mike Greenberg, the host of the ESPN+ show Bettor Days, is a strong advocate for sports betting legalization and is likely to mention ESPN BET whenever appropriate.
- Linda Cohn, the longest-tenured active SportsCenter anchor, made a friendly wager with a colleague in 2015, indicating she may not be strictly opposed to sports betting.
- Tony Kornheiser and his fellow commentators on Pardon the Interruption may occasionally discuss betting topics, including ESPN BET, as Kornheiser frequently invites former professional gambler Jeff Ma to his show to offer NFL picks.
