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Sportsbooks ‘Gathering Their Breath’ Before California, Florida, Texas Legalize Betting

“It’s only been three years since sports betting was decriminalized at the federal level and made a state issue.”

Jordan Bondurant

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As the sports betting world awaits legalization in Texas, California and Florida, sportsbooks are utilizing their time to learn as much as possible.

Sports betting is currently legal in 33 states and DC. California voters resoundingly rejected Prop 26 and Prop 27 last November, which would’ve legalized mobile betting and in-person betting on tribal lands and at race tracks.

In Florida, there’s a glimmer of hope that betting in the state could resume as early as this year. A DC Court of Appeals panel will issue a ruling at some point in 2023 on a 2021 lawsuit by state casino operators challenging the Florida-Seminole Gaming Compact. But if that doesn’t work out, voters will have to decide, making the earliest betting would go live would be in 2025.

In Texas, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick tweeted over the weekend that a bill that would have put sports betting on the 2023 ballot will not be advancing in the state Senate. The Texas legislature meets every two years, so the next time it comes up for legalization won’t be until 2025.

It’s only been three years since sports betting was decriminalized at the federal level and made a state issue. Putting at least two more years between then and whenever sportsbooks go online in those three important states isn’t viewed as a bad thing.

“I think the operators now are kind of gathering their breath,” Sportradar COO Andrew Bimson told Front Office Sports. “Because the market opened up, and it opened up in a hurry.”

Currently sports betting revenue is at $7.5 billion. It jumped 61% in 2022 when New York legalized. The belief is that Texas would generate close to $2.5 billion in the first year it went legal.

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Dan Le Batard Show Reacts Live To Stephen A. Smith’s ‘A-List’ NFL Rankings

“If he puts the 49ers No. 2, I think you know who’s going No. 1”

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The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Courtesy: World of Suey

After First Take reported its 14th consecutive month of year-over-year (YoY) viewership growth, Stephen A. Smith unveiled the latest edition of his “A-List,” outlining his top five teams in the National Football League. As Smith starts every one of these segments, he makes sure to remind viewers that “The list is fluid” and then proceeds to give his soliloquy explaining why he made these choices. Anticipating that the Miami Dolphins could be elevated to No. 1 on the list after scoring a franchise record 70 points in a 50-point victory over the Denver Broncos, the cast of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz eagerly awaited this part of the program.

When Smith began announcing his list, he disclosed that the Kansas City Chiefs were listed fifth followed by the Buffalo Bills. The Philadelphia Eagles slotted in the No. 3 spot, and the room began to ascertain that it would either be the San Francisco 49ers or the Dolphins in second place. Once it was divulged that Smith had the 49ers placed second following their defeat of the New York Giants, the Miami-based studio erupted in a frenzy.

“If he puts the 49ers No. 2, I think you know who’s going No. 1,” show co-host and Meadowlark Media co-founder Dan Le Batard said.

“And if he puts the Dolphins No. 2, I think we know who’s going No. 1,” co-host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner replied.

Once the 49ers were revealed in the second spot, Le Batard removed his headphones and fell from his sliding chair. Weiner celebrated the news, as did the show producers and contributors Billy Gil, Lucy Rohden and Roy Bellamy among others. He then waited for the news to become official as Le Batard remained prostrate, and at the moment it did, there was as the jubilation grew louder and caused the audio modulation to peak. “Curveball!,” one of the people in the studio could be heard shouting as the camera panned to the production room where employees had their arms in the air.

Le Batard eventually got up and turned his cap sideways as the room began signing the Miami Dolphins fight song. The team is in first place in the AFC East division and will seek to keep that position as they face the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

“We’re the Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins, No. 1,” the room sang. “We’re the Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins, No. 1!”

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EverWonder Studio, Meadowlark Media Producing Feature Documentary

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EverWonder Studio
Courtesy: EverWonder Studio

EverWonder Studio has announced that it will finance a project co-produced by Meadowlark Media, co-founded by executive John Skipper and host Dan Le Batard. The feature-length documentary, which will explore the friendship, support and rivalry between tennis stars Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, is the first publicly announced project for EverWonder Studio since its launch last month. Moreover, these teams have garnered rights for a future scripted adaptation to be determined at a later date.

The film will feature never-before-seen footage and information about Evert and Navratilova, outlining how a staunch rivalry turned into an unbreakable friendship. Viewers will receive behind-the-scenes looks at all of the action, in addition to details on their tennis careers both on and off the court.

“Chris and Martina revolutionized the sport of women’s tennis,” Skipper said in a statement. “Their story has all the elements of a fascinating, inspiring documentary, and we are thrilled to bring it to the screen in partnership with EverWonder.”

Executive producers on the project include the aforementioned Skipper, along with Deirdre Fenton, Mary Greenham and Jon Wertheim of NewsPresenters Media. Lawrence Frankopan of StarWing Sports and Jeff Zucker of RedBird IMI also have executive producer credits on the project, and all involved are excited to present their story en masse. Zucker formerly served as the president of CNN and chief executive officer of NBCUniversal, and this project marks the first media investment under his new venture.

“Chris and Martina’s story is exactly the type of project we launched EverWonder to tell – a never-before-seen look at one of the great friendships and rivalries of our time,” Zucker said in a statement. “I know this is the first of many powerful narratives EverWonder will bring to life, and I’m grateful to Chris and Martina for trusting us with their story.”

EverWonder Studios hired chief executive officer Ian Orefice to help launch the company after he worked as the president and chief operating officer of Time Studios. After forging a professional relationship with Zucker over several years, he decided to join on building this new entity predicated on genuine storytelling that reaches a global audience and has a widespread impact. Producing non-fiction intellectual property is at the center of the company’s mission, and there are several journalistic- and sports-related hires that are set to begin work with the studio.

“It’s an honor that after a very competitive process, Chris and Martina have chosen EverWonder as their storytelling partner along with Meadowlark Media,” Orefice said. “EverWonder was created to celebrate the world’s best stories, and we’re thrilled to tell the tale of one of the greatest rivalries – and friendships – in sports history. Their journey has already inspired so many, and we know it will do the same for new audiences around the world.”

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Fanatics Sportsbook Letting Gamblers Stream NFL Games They Have Money On

“The only condition is that the game must also be available in the bettor’s local market.”

Jordan Bondurant

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Fanatics Sportsbook logo

NFL fans using the Fanatics Sportsbook in four states have the ability to watch the broadcast of some of the games they bet on.

Legal Sports Report writes that users who place at least $1 in wagers on the NFL in the app will get access to the stream of the corresponding bet. The only condition is that the game must also be available in the bettor’s local market.

This feature of the Fanatics Sportsbook app is available in Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio and Tennessee, and it’s been available since the start of the regular season.

Fanatics joins Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and FanDuel as platforms that have agreements with the league’s exclusive rights holder of official NFL data, Genius Sports. These agreements give the sportsbooks the ability to provide live streams.

So far, Caesars is the only other platform with stream access available, but Legal Sports Report noted that DraftKings and FanDuel will likely bring streams online later this season.

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