With his current deal at ESPN set to expire next summer, the NFL insider could draw lucrative offers from a number of sports betting companies, given their aspirations to become sports media companies, not just betting operators.
Schefter joined ESPN from NFL Network in 2009, and has since appeared on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday Night Countdown,” “NFL Live,” “Get Up,” and “SportsCenter.”
Caesars has already utilised the ESPN talent pool through its recent acquisitions of Kenny Mayne and Trey Wingo, but it is understood that it faces competition from companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
While ESPN and Caesars declined to comment, a source told Front Office Sports: “ESPN absolutely wants to keep Schefty. If you notice, they’ve been expanding his purview, even allowing him to dabble in NBA coverage if he wants.”
Another source, however, said: “The competitive landscape is shifting under our feet as we speak. The legacy networks want to cut or maintain talent salaries. The gambling companies are flush [with money] - and increasingly willing to spend for sports media talent.”
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is reportedly another high-profile industry name that could be approached by the top sportsbooks in the near future.
