ESPN Bet set to launch live betting stream for PGA Tour coverage
PENN Entertainment operator’s stream will include data, insights, and live betting analysis for six FedExCup events across the 2025 PGA Tour season
ESPN Bet is set to launch a live betting stream to accompany PGA Tour events broadcast on the ESPN+ network.
As well as providing live golf coverage in the two hours leading up to an event, the stream will deliver key data, insights, and live betting analysis during the broadcast.
Stream host Jonathan Coachman, on-course reporter Michael Collins, and analysts including Matt Every and Graham DeLaet will also present hole-by-hole live betting and tournament markets.
The launch of the new vertical comes as PENN and the PGA Tour penned a new multi-year agreement, which also designated ESPN Bet as an official betting operator for the PGA Tour.
Under the deal with the PGA Tour, ESPN Bet and PENN Entertainment have been granted the rights to use PGA Tour marks, as well as deliver content and advertising within PGA Tour media and partner platforms.
In May 2024, ESPN Bet was confirmed as the official sports betting partner for the PGA Championship when PENN kickstarted its commercial relationship with the PGA of America.
The stream, which will be branded as ‘ESPN Bet on PGA Tour Live,’ is set to debut at the WM Phoenix Open on February 6, 2024.
Following the WM Phoenix Open, the stream will also feature at the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament, the Players Championship from March 13 to16, 2025.
Other scheduled events for the stream include the Truist Championship (May 8-11), the Memorial Tournament (May 29 to June 1), the Travelers Championship (June 19-22), and the FedEx St Jude Championship (August 7-10).
Jason Birney, VP of operations at PENN Interactive, said: “We’re pleased to partner with the PGA Tour and grow the ESPN Bet brand through innovative betting-themed broadcasts powered by our sportsbook.
“ESPN Bet on PGA Tour Live deepens our already robust media and betting integrations with ESPN and creates unique opportunities to engage golf fans in an entertaining way with compelling up-to-the-minute data and insights.”
Scott Warfield, PGA Tour VP of gaming, added: “Pairing the PGA Tour’s in-depth ShotLink powered by CDW data with the power of the ESPN and ESPN Bet brands is certain to make for a compelling sports-watching experience for fans and bettors of our sport.
“A competition feed with a focus on odds and wagers has been a goal of the PGA Tour since our agreement with ESPN+ first began in 2022, and we are proud to make that vision a reality today with the support of our new partner, PENN Entertainment.”
ESPN Bet, which is now in its second year of operation having launched in November 2023, recently launched in Washington DC.
PENN Entertainment, which ditched Barstool Sports in favor of a $1.5bn licensing deal with ESPN to launch the ESPN Bet sportsbook, has since struggled to secure significant market share in the US.
Latest estimates from analyst firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming put the brand’s sports betting share at 1.5%, despite efforts to greater mesh the ESPN brand and the platform.
EGR North America explored ESPN Bet’s successes and challenges since launching 14 months ago, with insight from former Flutter head Tom Johnson and industry expert Chris Grove.