BetMGM raids ESPN for new chief operating officer
Two-time Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 winner Ryan Spoon joins GVC’s US joint venture
BetMGM has recruited ESPN executive Ryan Spoon as its new chief operating officer (COO).
Spoon arrives at BetMGM – the US joint venture between GVC and MGM Resorts – after eight years with the media giant, where he most recently served as SVP digital and social from Connecticut.
In the role, Spoon was responsible for ESPN’s extensive digital content strategy, both on and off-platform, as he oversaw the creation of content for digital and social channels and shows.
According to GVC, he helped build and operate many of the leading digital properties in US sports coverage, including ESPN.com, the ESPN app and ESPN Fantasy Football.
Before joining ESPN, Spoon spent time as a venture capitalist at Polaris Venture Partners.
Spoon will be based in BetMGM’s New Jersey headquarters when he starts his new role in November, reporting into CEO Adam Greenblatt.
Greenblatt said: “BetMGM has seen early success in establishing itself as a significant player in the sports betting world through relationships with leagues, teams and partners.
“With Ryan’s expertise in developing scaled and engaging digital experiences, BetMGM will leverage those relationships in entirely new ways.”
Spoon is a two-time Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 winner.
He said: “The opportunity at BetMGM during these early phases was an immediate draw for me and I am excited to help drive future growth.”
The BetMGM app is currently live in six US states.
The operator this month unveiled a new Parlay Builder product for US sports fixtures and joined forces with the PGA Tour to integrate live betting odds across the golf body’s TV coverage.