In a groundbreaking move that melds the worlds of sports broadcasting and sports betting, ESPN has announced a lucrative licensing agreement with Penn Entertainment to unveil ESPN BET, a premier sportsbook tailored for American audiences.
Penn to Undergo Rebranding
Penn Entertainment is set to undergo a comprehensive rebranding effort this autumn, transforming its existing sportsbook into the eagerly anticipated ESPN BET platform. This revamp will encompass a suite of offerings, including a mobile app, website, mobile website, and strategically selected retail locations, all carrying the distinctive ESPN branding.
Under the terms of the agreement, Penn Entertainment has committed to a substantial financial outlay. The company will disburse a substantial $1.5 billion in cash to ESPN over a decade, in addition to extending $500 million in warrants that allow ESPN to acquire roughly 31.8 million common shares of Penn Entertainment. The collaboration also features provisions for bonus warrants contingent upon the performance of ESPN BET.
A New Milestone for ESPN
This strategic partnership marks ESPN’s latest foray into the burgeoning realm of sports gaming. ESPN has garnered a reputation for its diverse array of betting-centric shows, the publication of odds on its digital platforms and televised programs, and extensive coverage of the gaming industry on its online and social media platforms.
In a joint announcement, Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, and Jay Snowden, CEO of Penn Entertainment, emphasized the shared vision behind the venture. Pitaro underscored the objective of catering to ardent sports enthusiasts by seamlessly integrating betting content and facilitating frictionless wagering through ESPN’s digital ecosystem. “Our primary focus is always to serve sports fans, and we know they want both betting content and the ability to place bets with less friction from within our products,” said Pitaro.
The revamped ESPN BET platform is poised to become the exclusive sportsbook partner of ESPN and will be seamlessly woven into ESPN’s programming and content landscape, commencing this autumn. Audiences will have the convenience of placing bets directly through ESPN’s digital platforms, streamlining the betting experience.
ESPN partnering with PENN Entertainment to launch ‘ESPN BET’
Pitaro’s Vision
Pitaro articulated his vision of leveraging the strengths of both entities to craft an immersive experience that caters to both seasoned and novice bettors. “The strategy here is simple: to give fans what they’ve been requesting and expecting from ESPN,” Pitaro affirmed.
With licenses already secured across 16 states including prominent jurisdictions like New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, Penn Entertainment’s reimagined offering is primed to capture a substantial share of the burgeoning legal sports betting market in the United States.
The American Gaming Association reported staggering growth in the sports betting industry, with an estimated $93.2 billion wagered at sportsbooks in 2022, representing a 63% surge from the preceding year. Legal sportsbook revenue also reached an impressive $7.5 billion during the same year.
