Covers.com, formerly referred to as SportsDirect, is an online publication that offers sports-related details and data analysis. It is based in Post Falls, Idaho, United States.
History
Covers.com was established in 1995 by Paul Lavers and Joe MacDonald as an online info platform for sports wagerers. [1] [2] [3] Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the platform gained popularity amongst sports wagering enthusiasts due to its extensive coverage of wagering data. [1]
For the 1997 World Figure Skating Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, SportsDirect developed the first site to offer real-time protection of the event. [1] During the early 2000s, Covers.com became a noteworthy affiliate and info resource for sportsbooks. [4] In 2005, it got Wagerline.com. [5]
In 2007, Covers was granted Halifax's service of the year award. [5]
In 2009, the creators divided their service interests: Lavers focused on a sibling company (SportsDirect Inc.), while MacDonald ended up being the sole owner of Covers.com. [6] Under MacDonald's direction, Covers broadened its material and global audience. [6]
In 2015, Covers Media Group, which operated Covers.com, was gotten by Gracenote, a U.S.-based information firm owned at the time by Tribune Media, as part of an expansion into sports data services. [7] The acquisition likewise consisted of SportsDirect Inc., with the combined deal valued at around $54 million. [7] Following the acquisition, Covers operated as part of Tribune Media's digital assets.Tribune sold Gracenote to Nielsen in 2017 however maintained Covers.com as a direct consumer-focused home. [8]
In 2022, Covers and Postmedia Network consented to distribute wagering analysis and chances material throughout Postmedia's national news outlets. [9] [10]
Platform
Covers.com is an online platform offering sports betting information and tools to users. It releases real-time material covering major sports leagues and events and released a mobile app in 2019. The platform likewise hosts community online forums where users talk about wagering picks, and uses free-to-play contests. [11] It has an active neighborhood of 20 million users. [12]
References
^ a b c Brearton, Steve (April 12, 2006). "Media firm ranked finest company". The Globe and Mail.
^ "High loonie blamed for cuts at sports info company". CBC.ca.
^ "Nova Scotia embraces sports-tip company as winner". The Globe and Mail. April 12, 2006.
^ "iGaming History WRIGHT".
^ a b Won, Shirley (February 9, 2007). "Internet sports company wins leading Halifax award". The Globe and Mail.
^ a b Bousquet, Tim (January 2, 2018). "Here are the Nova Scotians called 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 groups up with Covers.com for state-of-the-art betting coverage". Toronto Sun.
^ "Covers.com Celebrates Their $25,000 Streak Survivor Contest Winner".
^ "Covers.com profile".
