NFL reportedly searching for a sports betting VP

The National Football League (NFL) is looking for a new vice president of sports betting to “oversee the league’s betting initiatives,” according to a job description being circulated by headhunters cited by Legal Sports Report.

According to that source, NFL has specific goals for the new position, including continuing to protect the integrity of the game; advancing the NFL’s brand and reputation; driving fan engagement globally; and growing the value of NFL’s data & IP. The job description also said the new VP job will also oversee “distribution of content for gaming purposes and the integration of gaming products into the NFL’s platforms.”

The VP of sports betting would report into NFL chief strategy and growth officer Christopher Halpin. They should have a “deep understanding” of the sports betting and sports business landscapes, the description said.

The league, as it has expanded its gambling partnerships, has continued to use “integrity of the game” as a talking point at every step. The league has already announced a casino partnership, and put the Raiders and its 2020 draft in Las Vegas. 

American bettors placed an estimated $6.8 billion worth of Super Bowl bets this year, according to the American Gaming Association. As for acquisition, more than 40% of new customers at Kambi-powered sportsbooks placed their first bet on the NFL in 2019. That number rose to more than 50% during the NFL season. If the league starts talking about betting on assets like NFL.com and NFL Network, it could generate a lot of new customers. 

Other major US sports leagues like the NBA, MLB and NASCAR already have betting and gaming-focused VPs. Also, the PGA Tour is close to hiring a similar role.