Sports betting and the NFL: Why the league embraced gambling and what’s next

Strode says in terms of advertising and business, professional sports leagues have additional sponsorship opportunities with sports betting organizations. For the NFL, it’s a matter if having more organizations available to sponsor teams, sponsor stadiums and advertise.

“It’s hard to escape the fact that when you watch any of these games, you’re going to get a DraftKings commercial that’s going to incentivize you to download their app and get your foot in the door,” emphasized Strode. “It’s another business partner that’s going to help fund the operations.”

Indirectly, the increase in sports wagers may have led to the increase in the number of games in the NFL season and a push for further increases. More games equal more money, and also more opportunities for bets.

“We’ve seen the NFL has found ways to be able to buck the traditional Sunday 1:00, 4:00 model, [then came] Monday Night Football, later, Sunday Night Football, now, Thursday Night Football, now, doubleheaders on Monday Night Football,” Strode said. “The league has expanded beyond its traditional time slots which also gives people more opportunities not only to watch but certainly to bet.”

Strode says the NFL is also doing a good job leveraging sports betting to market games that may not necessarily be marquee. Gaming, sports betting and gambling provide an increase in interest for games that otherwise would not get as much attention. This also puts more eyes on games that don’t include fans’ hometown teams.