Caesars Sportsbook Eyes Adam Schefter in Potential Blockbuster Deal
Word on the street is that Caesars Sportsbook has its sights set on luring away renowned ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter.
Front Office Sports indicates that Caesar’s aims to make a major move by securing Schefter, whose agreement with ESPN concludes next summer. As sports betting platforms increasingly seek to become comprehensive media and wagering hubs, Schefter could find himself with a selection of profitable propositions.
Since joining ESPN from NFL Network in 2009, Schefter has become a fixture on shows such as Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live, Good Morning America, and SportsCenter.
Caesar’s has already recruited former ESPN personalities Kenny Mayne and Trey Wingo, but they’ll probably encounter fierce rivalry from the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel, who are also aiming to strengthen their media footprint.
Although both ESPN and Caesar’s opted not to provide statements, an insider revealed to Front Office Sports that “ESPN undoubtedly wants to retain Schefter. If you observe carefully, they’ve been broadening his responsibilities, even permitting him to explore NBA reporting if he desires.”
Nevertheless, a different source pointed out that “The media environment is undergoing a significant transformation. The established networks are looking to reduce expenses or at least maintain current levels for talent compensation. The sportsbooks possess substantial financial resources and are progressively more inclined to invest heavily in media personalities.”
The article also implies that NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski could be another high-profile figure pursued by sportsbooks in the foreseeable future.