In an era where digital media consumption is rapidly evolving, SportsGrid is aiming to emerge as a leader in sports and gambling content.

With a focus on free, ad-supported television (FAST), the company aims to reshape how sports enthusiasts engage with data-driven insights, live programming, and betting-related content.

Jeremy Stein, CEO, and Louis M. Maione, president and chief strategy officer, recently discussed the company’s journey, its current position, and its plans for the future.

The evolution of SportsGrid

Founded in 2016-2017 by Jeremy Stein and Louis Maione, SportsGrid was born out of a shared vision to merge data-driven content with cutting-edge technology.

Stein, who was playing daily fantasy sports full time, and Maione, an industry veteran, told NEXT.iothey recognised the potential of streamlining sports content through technology.

“Our thesis was simple: sports content is all about data,” Stein explained. “Traditional sports networks require large production and research teams, but we saw an opportunity to create content more efficiently by leveraging real-time data.

“Instead of having an entire team to recap last night’s Yankees game, all we need is a host who understands sports and can analyse the data.”

This approach, they argue, allowed SportsGrid to scale rapidly, producing high-quality content at a fraction of traditional costs.

Today, the company produces 18 hours of live original video content daily, along with 21 hours of audio programming.

Its reach, they outlined, extends across nearly every major FAST platform in the US, with 95% penetration of connected TVs and over 200 million unique viewers last year. That number is already seeing a 50% increase in 2024.

SportsGrid looks to expand

One of the driving forces behind SportsGrid’s success has been its partnerships with major sports betting operators like FanDuel and DraftKings. “FanDuel is our number one partner,” Maione said.

“We produce three hours of content for them as part of our ‘media as a service’ model, which includes syndication, talent sharing, and highlight packages.”

As the sports betting industry continues to expand, SportsGrid has positioned itself as a key media network for gambling-related content.

Stein envisions SportsGrid not just as a sports channel, but as a destination for betting-related coverage, catering to an audience that includes both sports bettors and casino gamers.

“Many of our viewers are not just into sports betting but also casino gaming,” Stein noted. “Our operator partners run online and retail casinos, so expanding into casino content allows us to better serve our audience and our partners.”

Beyond its traditional programming, SportsGrid has also been investing heavily in influencer partnerships.

“Our strategy is to bring new audiences to these influencers while also expanding our content offerings,” Stein said. “We’re adopting an ‘OnlyFans-style’ model where talent shares in the revenue, making it more appealing for them to engage deeply with our platform.”

Maione echoed this sentiment, stating that gambling content is poised for significant growth. “Our model allows us to bring in diverse talent, from slot influencers to sports personalities, and create engaging content that drives both reach and frequency.”

What’s next?

Looking ahead, SportsGrid’s mission is to remain free and accessible across all digital platforms. “We’ve already conquered the FAST space, and we excel at video content on connected TV,” Stein said.

“Our next step is to ensure we’re available wherever people consume content — whether that’s YouTube, Kick, or emerging video platforms.”

The next project on the horizon is BetCon. Designed as a hybrid between a trade show and a consumer expo, the two say BetCon will be an invite-only event for 500-1,000 high-value gambling enthusiasts.

Unlike traditional expos, BetCon aims to provide an immersive experience, integrating SportsGrid’s content and live events throughout the year.

“Our goal is to create a high-value experience for elite consumers,” Maione said. “BetCon is set to launch in September, and we expect demand to far exceed supply.”