FSM parent company Sinclair Broadcasting has struck a deal with casino operator Bally’s Corporation in which Fox Sports Midwest and most of the 20 other regional sports networks it owns nationwide will be renamed, expected to be called “Bally Sports” or something similar. The switch is likely to take place early next year but it is not clear if the outlets would continue to be sub-branded locally, such as “Bally Sports Midwest” in this region.
But what is clear is that there will be much more than a name change, that gambling will be emphasized on the telecasts. And it won’t be just guys giving their picks on games. The plan is to have interactive betting on the TV screen or mobile devices on which the games are being seen, with Bally’s — through Sinclair — serving as the bookie.
“The overall vision is . . . to ‘gamify’ sports” and “to make watching sports like playing a video game,” Sinclair president and CEO Chris Ripley said on a conference call Thursday to discuss the moves. “We think this will dramatically increase the attractiveness of (watching), especially for a younger generation.”
He said that 60% of those ages 18-34 are interested in sports betting.
Maybe I really am getting old; because this sounds like a bunch of shildt.
FSM parent company Sinclair Broadcasting has struck a deal with casino operator Bally’s Corporation in which Fox Sports Midwest and most of the 20 other regional sports networks it owns nationwide will be renamed, expected to be called “Bally Sports” or something similar. The switch is likely to take place early next year but it is not clear if the outlets would continue to be sub-branded locally, such as “Bally Sports Midwest” in this region.
But what is clear is that there will be much more than a name change, that gambling will be emphasized on the telecasts. And it won’t be just guys giving their picks on games. The plan is to have interactive betting on the TV screen or mobile devices on which the games are being seen, with Bally’s — through Sinclair — serving as the bookie.
“The overall vision is . . . to ‘gamify’ sports” and “to make watching sports like playing a video game,” Sinclair president and CEO Chris Ripley said on a conference call Thursday to discuss the moves. “We think this will dramatically increase the attractiveness of (watching), especially for a younger generation.”
He said that 60% of those ages 18-34 are interested in sports betting.
Maybe I really am getting old; because this sounds like a bunch of shildt.
I don't want a bunch of gambling overlays and [expletive] on the telecast. If that happens, I hope their ratings go to [expletive]. To me, this is a terrible direction for MLB and sports in general.