ESPN's Risky Partnership with Penn Entertainment for ESPN Bet
Former ESPN president John Skipper believes that ESPN's partnership with Penn National Gaming for their sports betting venture, ESPN Bet, will be an "uphill battle" as he considers Penn an "also-ran" in the gambling industry. However, Skipper understands ESPN's need to explore new revenue streams as cable carriage fees decline and streaming becomes the focus. He does not see the partnership as a threat to ESPN's credibility but emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear separation between ESPN Bet and journalistic integrity. Skipper also acknowledges that ESPN missed an opportunity to enter the gambling industry earlier but believes the move is a necessary step for the network's financial future.