Nate Ravitz Takes Helm at theScore as Penn Transitions Away from ESPN Bet

Penn Interactive has turned to a seasoned name in sports media as it reshapes its digital portfolio, appointing longtime ESPN executive Nate Ravitz to head theScore. His expertise comes at a pivotal time for Penn, which is reassessing its operations after giving up its costly ESPN Bet partnership and refocusing on its core verticals.

The New Head of theScore Commands Substantial Expertise

Ravitz will be in charge of theScore’s media division, overseeing content output, advertising sales, and audience growth. The app, known for its real-time scores, stats, and curated sports alerts, commands roughly 4 million monthly active users and more than 12 million across social networks. It will closely collaborate with Penn’s recently revamped mobile sportsbook, theScore Bet.

For Ravitz, this new appointment follows his 17-year stint at ESPN, where he was involved in almost every aspect of the network’s digital operations. As the senior VP of digital content and audience expansion, he was central to ESPN’s strategy for fantasy sports and sports betting programming. He also oversaw audience development, revenue performance, and multi-platform distribution.

Before that, he was the SVP of digital content for over a year, responsible for the user experience across all of ESPN’s digital channels, including its website, mobile app, connected-TV products, fantasy games, and global short-form video teams. This role gave him vast experience in editorial, video, curation, alerts, social feeds, and SEO.

Ravitz’s Contributions Could Be Invaluable for PENN

Announcing this move, Ravitz lauded theScore’s history of success in a highly competitive space and expressed his readiness to help Penn build momentum. He added that he was looking forward to reconnecting with Penn’s CTO, Aaron LaBerge, a former colleague at ESPN. Ravitz was confident in theScore’s long-term success, expressing his intention to reach new heights.

I’ve long admired what theScore has been able to build and achieve in the incredibly competitive landscape of mobile sports apps.

Nate Ravitz, PENN Entertainment chief technology officer

During his multifaceted career, Ravitz gained significant management experience, which will be invaluable in his new position. He managed sport-specific editorial desks and directed more than a hundred reporters and analysts. Ravitz’s social media expertise could also prove invaluable for theScore’s strategy, helping the platform remain in tune with shifting industry trends.

Penn’s decision to elevate theScore reflects the company’s broader recalibration following the collapse of its ESPN Bet project. The appointment of a digital operations veteran should bolster its media engine and breathe new life into its sportsbook ambitions. Ravitz’s expertise should also be invaluable in giving theScore a distinct identity in a crowded field.