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NFL Draft Becomes Lifeline for Sports Betting and Broadcasters

  • FanDuel CEO expects wagers to be up by a factor of 10
  • Disney’s ABC and ESPN see advertisers flocking to the event
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Photographer: Richard Sheinwald/Bloomberg

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The NFL draft is always a closely watched event, with sports fans, gamblers and fantasy-football addicts eagerly awaiting each pick.

But this year -- when the rest of the sports world is shut down because of the coronavirus -- it’s become a lifeline for broadcasters, advertisers and bookmakers that are all starved for content.