Sports Illustrated (SI) is taking another shot at the sports betting and prediction market, this time through a partnership with Galactic to launch SI Predict. This innovative platform is set to revolutionize fan engagement by offering a new way for users to interact with sports content and outcomes. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, SI Predict allows fans to predict sports outcomes without a state-by-state regulation system, aiming to provide a more accessible and flexible platform for sports enthusiasts.
The announcement marks the second attempt by SI to break into the sports betting arena. In 2021, SI launched the fully regulated SI Sportsbook in states like Colorado, Virginia, and Michigan in partnership with 888. However, the sportsbook failed to gain significant traction and was eventually wound down in 2024. This time around, SI Predict is taking a different approach, operating under Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulations and avoiding traditional licensing processes by offering a non-custodial platform. This strategy aims to reduce entry barriers, with the platform not directly regulated in the same way traditional sportsbooks are.
Predicting Outcomes on Sports-Related Events Without Traditional Betting
SI Predict aims to transform the way fans interact with sports events by offering a platform for predictive engagement rather than traditional betting. According to Galactic’s CEO, Stuart Stott, “Sports viewership is no longer a one-way conversation. Fans want to be involved, and they want their opinions to have weight. SI Predict revolutionizes sports engagement, transforming it from passive viewership to an active, influential forum.” 
The platform allows users to predict outcomes on various sports-related propositions, similar to how traditional sportsbooks operate with over/under markets. However, the key difference is that users won’t be betting against the house. Instead, they’ll place predictions on player props, team outcomes, or lifestyle events connected to live sports, with the potential to turn their accurate predictions into profits. This creates a more interactive experience for users, focusing on fan participation and engagement rather than simply wagering.
How SI Predict Works
SI Predict is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. Users can choose their market from a range of sports, make predictions with just a couple of clicks, and track their accuracy in real-time as data and audience sentiment shift. This simple approach aims to attract a broad audience of sports fans who want to showcase their expertise without the complexities typically associated with sports betting.
Pick Your Market, Place Your Prediction, Watch In Real-Time, Win More Than Bragging Rights – this four-step process is designed to make predictions feel like a game of skill, rather than gambling, appealing to fans who want to interact with sports events in a more meaningful way. If successful, this model could provide a fresh alternative to traditional sports betting platforms.
Challenges and Opportunities: Can Media Brands Compete in the Prediction Market?
The launch of SI Predict comes at a time when media brands like SI, ESPN, and FOX are increasingly trying to carve out a space in the competitive sports betting landscape. These companies have struggled to compete with established daily fantasy and sportsbook operators, but SI Predict offers a new way to tap into the growing prediction market space without directly engaging in regulated gambling.
With a unique proposition focused on engagement over outcomes, SI Predict could stand out by offering markets that aren’t available at traditional sportsbooks. These markets will center on socially relevant, fun, and engaging propositions that encourage conversation and debate among users.
The question remains: will SI Predict’s fan-driven, prediction-based model be able to outpace the traditional sportsbook offerings, and can it carve a niche in the rapidly expanding world of prediction markets? Only time will tell, but SI’s attempt to redefine fan interaction could provide valuable insights into the future of sports engagement.
What’s Next for SI Predict?
SI Predict is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2024, with markets becoming available shortly thereafter. By focusing on ease of use, fan engagement, and a more streamlined prediction process, SI Predict is positioning itself as a unique offering in the crowded sports market. Whether it can successfully compete with more established players in the sports betting industry remains to be seen, but it’s clear that SI is looking to make its mark once again with this innovative approach.
