The Action Network
Company typePrivate
Founded2017
Key people
Patrick Keane, CEO
Chad Millman, CCO
Brian Mead, Head of Product
Websitewww.actionnetwork.com

The Action Network is a sports media company featuring news and analysis focused on sports betting in the United States.

History

The company was founded by The Chernin Group in October 2017, through the acquisition and roll-up of three companies: Sports Insights, FantasyLabs and the SportsAction mobile app.[1][2]

In October 2017, Chad Millman joined the company as chief content officer.[3] Millman was previously editor-in-chief for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com.

In November 2018, the company announced the appointment of Patrick Keane as CEO. Keane was a former board member at Bleacher Report, and was an original seed stage investor in The Action Network.[4]

In July 2019, Ari Borod joined the company as Chief Commercial Officer. Borod formerly was Vice President of Fantasy Sports and Legal & Business Affairs at FanDuel.[5]

On October 22, 2019, MLB umpire Joe West filed a defamation lawsuit in New York against Action Network and former MLB player Paul Lo Duca over comments Lo Duca made on a podcast carried by the network in April 2019, recalling his Mets teammate Billy Wagner telling him in 2006-07, "Joe loves antique cars so every time he comes into town I lend him my ’57 Chevy so he can drive it around so then he opens up the strike zone for me." In the complaint West denies this and says he has suffered unspecified damages as a result of Lo Duca's comments.[6][7]

On May 3, 2021, the company announced it had been acquired by the sports betting media group Better Collective for $240 million.[8]

Content

The Action Network has a content partnership with ESPN, producing a daily show streaming on the ESPN+ platform called I'll Take That Bet.[9][10]

On August 27, 2018, the company announced a partnership with Cadence13 to launch a podcast network dedicated to sports gambling.[11]

Sports business analyst, Darren Rovell, joined the company on November 28, 2018. Rovell previously worked for ESPN and CNBC.[12]

On April 25, 2019, the company announced a partnership with SiriusXM to launch a daily show on the Fantasy Sports Radio channel that will deliver a mix of sports betting insights and fantasy sports analysis.[13]

In January 2022, the company began a partnership with the New York Post. Post Chief Operating Officer Brad Elders said "We are looking forward to bringing better sports betting content and utility to the best sports fans to continue our commitment to deliver unrivaled sports coverage. Better Collective’s innovative tools and informative content will provide our fans with the best resources to navigate sports betting with ease."[14]

In August 2022, Action Network began a two-year media partnership deal with The Philadelphia Inquirer to deliver sports betting content to visitors of the paper's website. In the announcement, Inquirer publisher and CEO Elizabeth H. Hughes said "Philadelphia has some of the most passionate and knowledgeable sports fans in the country and this business partnership with Better Collective through Action Network allows us to offer quality content to readers who are interested in sports betting and iGaming."[15]

References

  1. ^ Kirkham, Chris. Chernin to Court Sports Bettors With New Data and Analysis Service. The Wall Street Journal. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. ^ Spangler, Todd. Chernin Group Makes Bet on Sports Wagering With ‘The Action Network’ Media Roll-Up. Variety. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. ^ Boren, Cindy. ESPN editorial director Chad Millman is leaving, reportedly to join Barstool Sports’ parent company. The Washington Post. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  4. ^ Mullin, Benjamin. Sports-Betting Analytics Startup Names New CEO. Wall Street Journal. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  5. ^ "The Action Network Hires Former FanDuel Executive Ari Borod As Chief Commercial Officer". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Umpire Joe West Files Defamation Suit Against a Former Player". New York Times. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  7. ^ "MLB umpire Joe West suing former All-Star Paul Lo Duca for claiming he took bribes". USA Today. October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  8. ^ Mullin, Benjamin. Action Network to Be Sold as Sports-Betting Deals Surge. The Wall Street Journal. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  9. ^ McCarthy, Michael. TV networks will be panning for talent as part of the rush to claim gambling gold. Sporting News. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  10. ^ Strauss, Ben. Action Network to launch sports gambling podcast network. The Washington Post. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  11. ^ Strauss, Ben. Darren Rovell on his move from ESPN to the Action Network: ‘They’re buying me as a brand’. The Washington Post. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  12. ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan. Action Network Launching New Fantasy / Betting Show on SiriusXM. The Big Lead. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  13. ^ A/S, Better Collective (2022-01-21). "Better Collective enters into commercial partnership with The New York Post". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  14. ^ "Better Collective signs media partnership agreement with The Philadelphia Inquirer".

External links

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