Mark Shapiro Critiques ESPN’s Focus on Gambling Content

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Mark Shapiro Critiques ESPN’s Focus on Gambling Content

Mark Shapiro is raising concerns about the prevalence of sports betting content on ESPN. As president of TKO Group Holdings and a former ESPN executive, he has observed that the network’s focus on gambling during this football season has gone too far. Shapiro expressed relief following the termination of ESPN’s partnership with Penn Entertainment, suggesting it could signal a reduction in gambling discussions across the network.

ESPN Ends Partnership with Penn Entertainment

On Thursday morning, ESPN and Penn Entertainment mutually agreed to end their partnership, which was established with a 10-year deal worth $1.5 billion. This decision came less than two years after the launch of ESPN Bet.

Partnership Duration: November 2022 – October 2023
Financial Loss: Penn Entertainment reported a loss of $334 million shortly after the launch.
Market Share: DraftKings holds 37% and FanDuel 35% of the market outside of Nevada.

Following the termination, ESPN has signed a new multiyear sponsorship with DraftKings. This agreement will see DraftKings become the official sportsbook and odds provider for ESPN, embedding its services within ESPN’s platforms.

Concerns About Gambling Content

Shapiro voiced specific frustrations about the impact of gambling conversations on ESPN’s programming, particularly on shows like Get Up. He indicated that viewers tune in for sports, not incessant betting discussions. Shapiro believes that this approach is detrimental to ESPN’s programming quality.

The future of the ESPN BET content brand remains uncertain. It will continue with shows like ESPN BET Live, airing weekdays at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. However, it is unclear whether the new partnership with DraftKings will result in a decrease in sports gambling discussions.

Background of ESPN Bet and Its Challenges

The partnership with Penn Entertainment created several complications for ESPN. Notably, there were ethical concerns when covering gambling-related scandals while promoting ESPN Bet. In October, Get Up removed the ESPN Bet banner during coverage of FBI arrests related to gambling offenses, highlighting this conflict of interest.

Previously, Penn had exited its deal with Barstool Sports to rebrand as ESPN Bet. Unfortunately, neither partnership successfully carved out a significant market presence.

Looking Ahead

The new DraftKings agreement provides exclusive access to ESPN’s platforms, raising questions about whether sports gambling discussions will continue to dominate programming. Shapiro’s hope is that this shift in partnership will reduce the emphasis on gambling content in favor of traditional sports commentary.