There was a time when sports betting content in mainstream media was limited to announcers making a cloaked comment about “some people” being happy when a team hit otherwise-irrelevant field goal to cover the point spread.
But times are quickly changing.
According to a report by The Sporting News, the Fox Network is planning a new sports betting-themed show featuring former play-by-play man Brent Musburger. The as-yet-unnamed show would also star Fox broadcaster Charissa Thompson and betting expert Todd Fuhrman.
The report reveals that the show is set to debut on Fox Sports 1 in the fall.
While Fox executives have not yet confirmed that the show is in the works, one source described it as “Around the Horn for sports betting.”
Out of the Shadows
With sports wagering having been outlawed in the US everywhere but Nevada for decades, topics like point spreads and money lines have generally off limits during mainstream broadcasts.
However, all that changed when the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, opening the doors for every state to get in on the action, should they choose to do so.
ESPN wasted little time getting on board with sports betting content. PASPA was defeated on May 14, and the network debuted its gambling-themed show, “I’ll Take That Bet,” just two weeks later. Produced in conjunction with The Action Network, the show features discussion and dissection of various sports betting angles.
The Warriors are huge favorites in the Finals, but there’s still a case for betting on them at -1000.
The first episode of “I’ll Take That Bet” is streaming now on ESPN+ https://t.co/R38lcw8aqs pic.twitter.com/OFJJ49aWqT
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 31, 2018
However, Fox is apparently taking things a step further. While “I’ll Take That Bet” airs on the streaming service ESPN+, the Musburger-powered show is expected to air on Fox’s main network.
New Voice of the Raiders
That won’t be the only new gig for Musburger this fall.
The broadcasting veteran has been named the new radio play-by-play announcer for the Oakland Raiders. The team announced this week that it had fired Greg Papa, who’s been calling the team’s games over radio airways for the past 21 years. If you’ve ever listened to a Raiders game, you would have recognized Papa’s trademark call, “Touchdown Rrrrrrraiders!”
Instead, it will be Musburger calling their games for the foreseeable future, including when the team moves to Las Vegas in 2020.
The 79-year old is already well established in both Las Vegas and sports betting circles. He’s been in the city since launching his Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN) channel on SiriusXM last February. The show covers numerous sports betting topics and is broadcast from Vegas’ Southpoint casino.
