SportsLine USA is turning to the European market to build a larger fan base, adding information on European sports, events and even links to online wagering sites.
SportsLine, Intel, Reuters and MediaOne have each contributed $2.5 million to fund the launch of SportsLine Europe, which will start this month with SportsLine U.K. France, Italy, Germany and Spain will follow. It hopes to find broadcasters (like CBS in the U.S.) to work with in order to inform people of the information and opportunities SportsLine offers.
SportsLine Europe is planning to work with European bookies to provide fans with access to online betting sites through banner advertisements. This is despite the fact that CBS, which owns 18 percent of SportsLine does not want to be associated with gambling. Earlier this year, CBS urged and convinced SportsLine to sell its Sportsbook.com URL because of CBSs relationship with ESPN, which is against wagering.
"We will provide the odds and analysis and sell ads to the sports books," said Michael Levy, founder, president and CEO of SportsLine USA. "But we're definitely not in the gambling business."