Disney Builds a New Magic Kingdom in Sports Betting
The company may be wagering that the line between football and gambling will inevitably be erased.
Many football fans like betting.
Photographer: Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesEven the Walt Disney Co., about as family-centric as a Fortune 500 corporation can be, likes sports gambling’s prospects and wants in on the action.
Bob Chapek, the company’s chief executive, told investors at a conference on Tuesday that Disney plans to get “aggressive” about expanding its presence in sports wagering. It is considering forging closer licensing partnerships with gambling operators through ESPN, its sports broadcasting powerhouse. ESPN already cut deals with some of those companies that allow it to routinely feature points spreads and other betting lines during games. ABC, another Disney property, has been doing the same during some of its sports shows.