- DraftKings has acquired Las Vegas based sports betting media platform VSIN.
- VSIN is easily the best of class in the burgeoning betting media segment.
- DraftKings is planning to give them plenty of operational and editorial independence.
DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) dropped a bomb today as they announced the acquisition of Vegas Sports Information Netwwork, better known as VSIN. Simply put, while seemingly every media outlet in the world is trying to jump on the ‘betting information’ bandwagon VSIN is easily the class of the field due to their actual knowledge of the ecosystem. They actually understand betting and aren’t just trying to mix it in because they think it’s a ‘hot topic’. The staff at VSIN is also first rate in their understanding of the topic and include Josh Applebaum, Mitch Moss, Matt Youmans and my old school 702 associate Wes Reynolds (who needs to be given *much* more airtime) among others.
For DraftKings, they’ve come to the same realization that many other sportsbooks have–they need quality content and lots of it. Well, they’ve got it now. For VSIN, it was just a matter of time in the current environment before someone acquired them. They’re too good at what they do for it not to happen. The best thing DraftKings can do now is give VSIN more resources to work with but otherwise let them do what they do. According to the press release announcing the deal that’s pretty much the plan. You *should* already know VSIN but if not, here’s the blurb about what they do from the press release:
VSiN, which operates out of Las Vegas, develops, produces, and distributes up to 18+ hours of live linear sports betting content each day. In addition to its 24/7 stream, VSiN’s original content is accessible through multiple video and audio channels including Comcast Xfinity, Sling TV, fuboTV, Rogers’ Sportsnet, MSG Networks, NESN, AT&T Pittsburgh, Marquee Sports Network, a dedicated channel on iHeartRadio and TuneIn, as well as terrestrial radio stations throughout the country, and its growing slate of podcasts and betcasts. VSiN’s current talent roster includes Brent Musburger, legendary sports broadcaster; Michael Lombardi, former NFL executive; Gill Alexander, host of the Beating the Book podcast; and Pauly Howard and Mitch Moss, co-hosts of VSiN’s popular morning show, Follow The Money.
VSIN’s employees will join the DraftKings workforce and that includes on-air talent. Free consulting advise to DraftKings–don’t mess with the on-air talent. Here’s the press release version of the plans that DraftKings has for VSIN:
DraftKings’ vision is for Brian Musburger and his leadership team to continue to manage day-to-day operations while maintaining editorial independence. DraftKings intends to fully integrate VSiN’s current employee base located in Las Vegas, including its on-air talent, into its 2,600 person global workforce. Since opening a Las Vegas office in January 2020, DraftKings has grown its local employee base by 132%. The Company also recently announced a multi-year agreement to become a primary sponsor of the Center for Gaming Innovation, housed within the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.]
Brian Musburger, CEO of VSiN, is excited to have the backing of DraftKings and a directive to keep doing what they do so well:
“We created VSiN as a destination for sports bettors to find the most credible content to help inform their wagering decisions,” said . “Harnessing the power and network of the DraftKings brand will allow us to reach an even wider audience with our unique content.”
Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board, sounds like he ‘ain’t gonna fix what isn’t broke’ as his company onboards VSIN:
“VSiN creates authentic and credible content that resonates with sports bettors at every level, whether they’re experienced or new to sports betting. In addition to its brand equity among sports bettors and engaging talent roster, VSiN also has an established infrastructure that DraftKings can immediately help expand, in the hopes of adding value to consumers who are looking to become more knowledgeable about sports betting.”
A VSIN subscription is one of the best deals in sports betting information with a ton of actionable information through their programming and email updates:
SUBSCRIBE TO VSIN
At the time of publication, James Murphy has a long position in DKNG and is a VSIN subscriber.
