Covers.com
Type of site | Sports betting information and analysis |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Founded | June 1995 |
| Headquarters | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Founder(s) |
|
| Products | Odds, data feeds, analysis tools, forums, mobile app |
| URL | covers |
| Advertising | Yes |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional (free) |
| Current status | Active |
Covers.com, formerly known as SportsDirect, is an online publication that provides sports-related information and data analysis. It is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
History
Covers.com was founded in 1995 by Paul Lavers and Joe MacDonald as an online information platform for sports bettors.[1][2][3] Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the platform gained popularity among sports betting enthusiasts due to its extensive coverage of betting data.[1]
For the 1997 World Figure Skating Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, SportsDirect developed the first website to provide real-time coverage of the event.[1] During the early 2000s, Covers.com became a notable affiliate and information resource for sportsbooks.[4] In 2005, it acquired Wagerline.com.[5]
In 2007, Covers was awarded Halifax's business of the year award.[5]
In 2009, the founders divided their business interests: Lavers focused on a sister company (SportsDirect Inc.), while MacDonald became the sole owner of Covers.com.[6] Under MacDonald's direction, Covers expanded its content and international audience.[6]
In 2015, Covers Media Group, which operated Covers.com, was acquired by Gracenote, a U.S.-based data firm owned at the time by Tribune Media, as part of an expansion into sports statistics services.[7] The acquisition also included SportsDirect Inc., with the combined transaction valued at approximately $54 million.[7] Following the acquisition, Covers operated as part of Tribune Media's digital assets.Tribune sold Gracenote to Nielsen in 2017 but retained Covers.com as a direct consumer-focused property.[8]
In 2022, Covers and Postmedia Network agreed to distribute betting analysis and odds content across Postmedia's national news outlets.[9][10]
Platform
Covers.com is an online platform providing sports betting information and tools to users. It publishes real-time content covering major sports leagues and events and released a mobile app in 2019. The platform also hosts community forums where users discuss betting picks, and offers free-to-play contests.[11] It has an active community of 20 million users.[12]
References
- ^ a b c Brearton, Steve (April 12, 2006). "Media firm ranked best employer". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ "High loonie blamed for cuts at sports info company". CBC.ca.
- ^ "Nova Scotia embraces sports-tip business as safe bet". The Globe and Mail. April 12, 2006.
- ^ "iGaming History WRIGHT".
- ^ a b Won, Shirley (February 9, 2007). "Internet sports business wins top Halifax award". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ a b Bousquet, Tim (January 2, 2018). "Here are the Nova Scotians named in the Paradise Papers". Halifax Examiner.
- ^ a b Fisher, Eric (May 27, 2015). "Gracenote Jumps Into Sports Data Market After Buying Infostrada, Sports Direct For $54M". Sports Business Journal.
- ^ Weitman, Gary (February 1, 2017). "Tribune Media Completes Sale of Gracenote for $560 Million".
- ^ "Postmedia and Covers Launch Content Partnership | Postmedia".
- ^ "Postmedia teams up with Covers.com for top-of-the-line gambling coverage". Toronto Sun.
- ^ "Covers.com Celebrates Their $25,000 Streak Survivor Contest Winner".
- ^ "Covers.com profile".