Action Network names Keane as new CEO

Action Network has appointed Patrick Keane, an original seed stage investor in the sports betting analytics provider, as its new chief executive.

Keane, who started at the US company earlier this week, replaces Noah Szubski in the role.

Keane was previously a board member at Bleacher Report and also had a spell as chief marketing officer for CBS Interactive.

He was also CEO at Associated Content – eventually selling the company to Yahoo – and had spent years in sales strategy and product marketing at Google.

“I have always been excited about growing businesses with passionate audiences around a singular content vertical,” Keane said. “Right now is the opportunity for Action to establish itself as the sports betting reference brand.

“What appeals to me most about the job are the people who have been pushing this business forward. I’ve been a user and can see that they are passionate, true believers looking to inform, innovate and improve every day.”

Action Network was formed in October 2017 after US media tycoon Peter Chernin acquired Sports Insights, FantasyLabs and SportsAction, combining the three to create the new business.

FantasyLabs specialised in data and tools for daily fantasy sports theories, while Sports Insights ran as a betting enterprise tracking real-time scores and offering betting line analysis. SportsAction was an app that featured live scores, betting odds and gambling advice.

The combined company now operates as a subscription-based platform, offering punters access to data and analytical tools, as well as relevant articles, podcasts and videos.

Since the repeal of PASPA in the US, Action Network has seen a spike in interest for its services, reporting that October was its busiest month since launch. Active users hit 1.6 million in October, up 77% from September and 309% on the same month last year.

Image: Action Network