NFL Doesn’t have Official Sportsbook

Sport & Story Daily April 3, 2026: The NFL does not have an official sportsbook as of April.

Author

Kelsey Middleton
April 03, 2026

NFL Doesn’t have Official Sportsbook

April 3, 2026

NFL opens April without an official sportsbook
The NFL entered April 2026 without an official sportsbook partner for the first time since creating the sponsorship category in 2021 after deals with FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars Entertainment expired and were not renewed. A major sticking point in negotiations involved the rising cost of official league data distributed by Genius Sports, which sportsbooks must license to qualify for league sponsorship and in-game advertising rights. Despite the absence of a current partner—surprising given the roughly $30 billion in betting handle tied to NFL games last season—league officials say talks are ongoing and they remain open to restructuring the sponsorship category going forward.
Sports Business Journal

WME Sells Sports Agency 160over90 to Publicis in $500 Million-Plus Deal
WME has agreed to sell its marketing agency 160over90 to Publicis Groupe as part of a broader strategy shift following WME’s separation from its former parent company Endeavor Group Holdings. The deal strengthens Publicis Groupe’s presence in sports and experiential marketing by adding 160over90’s portfolio of brand partnerships and event activations across major leagues and global properties. For WME, the sale reflects a move to streamline operations and refocus on its core talent-representation business after recent structural changes across the company.
Variety

Australia to crack down on gambling ads after years of criticism
Anthony Albanese announced new gambling advertising restrictions in Australia that will limit when and where betting ads can appear, including caps on TV ads, bans during certain live sports broadcasts, and prohibitions on celebrities and athletes appearing in promotions. The reforms—set to begin January 1—also restrict radio ads during school travel times, block most online gambling ads unless users are verified adults who can opt out, and ban gambling advertising inside sports venues and on uniforms. While the measures respond to years of public pressure in a country with the highest per-capita gambling losses globally, they stop short of the full advertising ban recommended by a parliamentary inquiry and supported by some lawmakers and community groups.
Variety

Amazon Drags the Masters Into the Streaming Era
Amazon Prime Video is joining The Masters Tournament broadcast coverage for the first time in 2026, marking a significant step as the traditionally TV-focused event expands further into streaming alongside longtime partners CBS Sports and ESPN. Amazon will air two hours of early coverage during the first two rounds, complementing ESPN’s afternoon weekday windows and CBS’s weekend broadcasts, while CBS continues producing the overall U.S. telecast across platforms. Despite the streaming expansion, CBS leadership emphasized that the tournament’s most important viewing windows—especially the weekend rounds—are expected to remain on broadcast television for the foreseeable future.
Sports Business Journal

Talks held over new Sphere arena in Tokyo
Tokyo, with Japanese financial group SBI Holdings exploring a project inspired by the original Sphere in Las Vegas. The proposed venue would likely follow the smaller-scale international Sphere model currently being considered for expansion markets, rather than replicate the full 17,000-seat Las Vegas version. While discussions remain early and no site or timeline has been finalized, the project reflects growing global interest in immersive entertainment arenas as cities compete for next-generation live-event infrastructure.
The Stadium Business

Marty Smith reportedly signs long-term extension with ESPN
Marty Smith has signed a long-term contract extension with ESPN, keeping the longtime reporter with the network as he approaches his 20th anniversary there later this year. Smith originally joined ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporterand has since expanded into major roles across college football, golf coverage, and feature storytelling programming. The extension reflects his continued value as a versatile on-air personality across multiple platforms and properties within ESPN’s lineup.
Awful Announcing

ESPN Informs Employees About NFL Network Leadership Transition
ESPN informed employees that NFL Network officially transitioned under ESPN’s operational control on April 1, marking a major step in the broader agreement that gave the NFL an equity stake in ESPN while transferring key NFL Media assets to the network. Internal communications explained that several longtime NFL Network leaders would move into ESPN roles as the companies integrate production, editorial, and technical operations across platforms. The transition is expected to maintain continuity for viewers in the short term, though the long-term structure of staff roles and programming will continue evolving as ESPN absorbs the network.
Yahoo Sports

San Jose Sharks. Director, Brand Marketing
This role will focus on brand strategy and outreach activation while leading the programs that bring the brand to life in the market. The Director will oversee key initiatives including Sharks Around the Bay, the Sharks Ambassador Program, Street Team activations, Youth marketing platforms, and outreach-based marketing programs designed to grow awareness, engagement, and fandom focused on the organization’s Key Growth Audiences with a goal of diversifying our audience. Apply Now.

MLS League Office. Manager, Medical Administration
This position will provide oversight to the Player Health operations center in Arlington TX and other tasks assigned by the Senior Director, Medical Administration and Senior Vice President, Competition and Medical Administration. In addition, the Manager will be responsible for increasing efficiencies and processes for communication and education strategies. Apply Now.

PGA TOUR. Field Technician
The Field Technician is responsible for the maintaining the integrity from start to finish of the power systems, scoreboards and the ShotLink portable structures. This position is responsible for engineering power insertion points and load balance for the ShotLink Power System, installation of cameras, generators and other equipment throughout the course, as well as perform failover testing to determine and solve for equipment problems. This includes solving and preventing power and data issues, and communication with the team and other departments to provide issue resolution in a prompt manner. This position will also train and manage an onsite volunteer workforce averaging up to 200 volunteers. Apply Now.

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Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau's travel to Final Four delayed after allergic reaction
Elliot Cadeau’s travel to the NCAA Men’s Final Four with the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball was delayed after he suffered an allergic reaction to something he ate shortly before the team departed for Indianapolis. Team officials said doctors evaluated him and confirmed he was doing fine, but he remained under medical supervision as a precaution and planned to travel later the same day. Cadeau—who averages about 10 points and nearly 6 assists per game—is considered a key contributor as Michigan prepares to face Arizona Wildcats men's basketball in the national semifinal.
CBS Sports

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