As CEO, Abbamondi is responsible for leading the business strategy and operations for BSE Global, the parent company of the Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, the Long Island Nets of the NBA G-League and Nets Gaming Crew of the NBA 2K League. He is charged with advancing the company’s existing sports, media and entertainment businesses as well as identifying and executing on new opportunities for growth. Before beginning his career in sports, Abbamondi served nine years as a U.S. Navy flight officer.
Mobile sports betting has officially arrived in New York – and it already looks set to be a home run. New Yorkers set a record handle of over $1.6 billion in the first three weeks alone. The state has garnered tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue already, thanks in large part to the steep 51% tax that regulators have imposed and which some industry leaders would like to see amended. Although mobile sports wagering still has a long path to traverse before it’s stable and well-established, now is the time to recognize the Sports Betting Power Players who have worked both behind the scenes and at the forefront to guarantee the industry’s early success.
Check out our interview with the Sports Betting Power Players by clicking here.
Joe Addabbo, Jr.
Chair of the Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, New York State Senate
Elected in 2008 after serving seven years in the New York City Council, Senator Joe Addabbo, Jr., continues to prioritize constituent services, where he and his district team have assisted thousands of individuals with issues of concern, including efforts to aid local residents whose lives were deeply impacted by Superstorm Sandy and most currently with the COVID-19 pandemic. As chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, Joe and his Albany team are responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and educational funding, in addition to industry job growth.
How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
The advances in technology will allow the state to provide more opportunities and improved protections to individuals participating in the growing mobile sports betting industry.
What is your favorite sports team?
Mets.
Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
As a long-time Mets fan, I usually root for the underdog . . . lol
If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
I have not placed a wager.
Yankees or Mets?
Mets!
Johnny Aitken
CEO, PointsBet USA
Johnny Aitken has served as the chief executive officer of PointsBet USA since January 2019, overseeing the company’s expansion into the American market. Mr. Aitken is responsible for providing engaging content and quality user experience on the PointsBet app, and constantly strives to ensure that the company offers a wider variety of bet types than competitors. PointsBet recently became the sixth online sportsbook to begin operations in New York State.
Sandy Alderson
President, New York Mets
Richard Lynn “Sandy” Alderson has been president of the New York Mets since September 2020, but also served as the Mets’ general manager from 2010-2018, during which time the team won the National League pennant. Mr. Alderson was also responsible for building a team that successfully reached the 2015 World Series, and he has relied on his decades of experience to bring some of the most talented players to Citi Field.
Renie Anderson
Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President, NFL Partnerships
Renie Anderson was named by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell the chief revenue officer and executive vice president of NFL Partnerships in March of 2019. In this position, she oversees the League’s partnership divisions, including sponsorship, new business, consumer products, and media sales. A few key partners include Pepsi, Microsoft, P&G, Verizon, Bose, Nike, New Era, EA, etc. In addition to her duties overseeing the League’s partnership divisions, Renie also is responsible for all media sales for the League’s owned and operated media assets, including NFL Network and NFL Digital Media as well as the League’s business in legalized sports betting.
Renie joined the National Football League in 2006 after nine seasons at the Arena Football League. Renie graduated from Ole Miss in 1997 with a degree in Journalism. She is a Hall of Fame honoree of the SBJ 40 under 40, 2016 WISE Woman of the Year, as well as a Game Changer in sports and entertainment honored by the SBJ.
Joe Asher
President of Sports Betting, IGT
Joe Asher became IGT’s president of sports betting in October 2021. Prior to joining IGT, he was CEO of William Hill U.S. from 2012 until it was sold to Caesars in April 2021. Asher joined William Hill when it acquired Brandywine Bookmaking, a company Asher created. Asher has held management positions at Brandywine Raceway, Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Foxboro Raceway. Asher is a graduate of the University of Delaware and the Delaware Law School of Widener University and was inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame in 2021.
How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
We will continue to see new states legalize sports betting, as well as growth in the existing ones and a focus on product innovation.
What is your favorite sports team?
Vegas Golden Knights.
Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
It all depends.
If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
The last bet I won is always my favorite.
Yankees or Mets?
Neither really, but Yankees if I have to pick.
Gary Bettman
Commissioner, NHL
Gary Bettman has served the NHL as commissioner since February 1, 1993, and has guided the world’s top professional hockey league through nearly three decades of growth and advancement on and off the ice. Record revenues, record attendance and numerous fan-friendly and community-minded initiatives are just a few examples of the ways Commissioner Bettman has brought the NHL to a broader audience through more media platforms. In recognition of his many contributions to the game, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2018.
David Briggs
Co-Founder, GeoComply
David Briggs is a pioneer in the iGaming industry and as the co-founder, currently serves as the director of special projects for GeoComply. Starting with Barclays’ internet banking group, he joined UK market leader Ladbrokes in 1999 to launch their online division. David went on to become the managing director of Ladbrokes eGaming, where he ran their successful online sportsbook business worldwide. In 2011, David and his wife Anna Sainsbury founded GeoComply, which is now widely recognized as one of the primary technology solutions providers in the U.S. iGaming market.
Ethan Brown
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations, UBS Arena and the New York Islanders
Ethan Brown is an experienced sports and entertainment executive who has spent over 19 years in marketing and brand development. Mr. Brown began working with the New York Islanders in 2019 and joined the UBS Arena team in January 2020. He previously oversaw the marketing strategy for Pacers Sports and Entertainment, which includes the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, and Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Shanna Cassidy
Committee Director for the Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, New York State Senate
Shanna currently serves as legislative director to Senator Joseph Addabbo and director of the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee. She is the Senator’s top advisor on all gaming issues and was a member of the team that negotiated the mobile sports wagering law, where she fought for the inclusion of responsible gaming provisions. She previously served as clerk of the Senate Aging Committee and as an aide to the Senate Co-President Pro Tempore.
How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
The New York market will continue to grow and provide additional education funding in the State budget.
What is your favorite sports team?
The New York Giants.
Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
Underdog – I am a Giants fan after all.
If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
I don’t gamble.
Yankees or Mets?
Yankees.
