The Levy family, prominent players in the Toronto sports media and Ontario sports betting scene, are leaving PENN Entertainment more than two years after the gaming company acquired theScore.
In a press release sent late Wednesday afternoon, the Pennsylvania-based company said the departures of John, Benjie, Aubrey and Noah Levy were part of a “planned leadership transition” and that company leaders were in the latter stages of finding a replacement for Benjie Levy, who leads PENN Interactive. The PENN brand operates theScore Bet Ontario Sportsbook as well as ESPN BET in the United States.
“The Levys are a family of successful entrepreneurs and are truly pioneers in the sports media and gaming industry,” PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden said. “I am very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish with them, including the development of an extremely deep and talented bench at PENN Interactive. With this experienced, best-in-class team firmly in place, we are well prepared for this to be a seamless transition and to continue growing our position as a leader in online gaming and sports media.”
As an Ontario sportsbook app, theScore Bet has operated since the province’s market launched in April 2022.
What Led To theScore Bet Ontario Sportsbook
TheScore’s history dates back more than a quarter century, when the Levy Family and Shaw Communications created Headline Media Group. John Levy created Score Media and Gaming in 2012 as Rogers Communications bought theScore Television Network, now known as Sportsnet 360. Levy’s new entity operated mobile and online sites that became popular news sources for Canadian sports fans.
In 2019, theScore Bet launched in New Jersey and spread to other states as Canada had yet to legalize single-game sports wagering. PENN, which had launched Barstool Sportsbook in the U.S. market in May 2021, acquired theScore in October of that year. Eventually, theScore would focus on the Canadian market. PENN would use theScore’s tech platform to overhaul its online gaming. Canada’s largest province offers online casino Ontario options as well as sports betting.
Last November, PENN rebranded Barstool Sportsbook as ESPN BET, which operates in 18 U.S. states.
“Our focus on creating industry-leading technology and products has been second only to our efforts in building a world-class team and fostering a special place to work,” said Benji Levy, also COO of theScore. “We could not be more proud of this team and what we have accomplished together, and we look forward to watching as they continue to build upon the successful foundation we established at theScore.”
Departures To Start This Month
John Levy will leave PENN later this month. The remaining members of the family are expected to transition out in April. Aubrey Levy has served as PENN Interactive’s senior vice president of marketing and content. Noah Levy has served as the senior vice president of product management.
“The enduring success of theScore is due to the passionate and committed team that helped launch, develop and innovate our products to provide the best possible fan experience,” said John Levy, Executive Chairman of theScore. “Empowering fans with a seamlessly integrated media and betting experience has been core to our mission since day one. That strategy has led to the success of theScore and theScore Bet in Ontario and ESPN BET in the U.S. and will continue to differentiate this online gaming business going forward.”
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