ESPN insider Adam Schefter called out over ties and conflict of interest with $14bn NFL owner

NFL insider Adam Schefter has been called out over a ‘conflict of interest’ with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

There has been renewed scrutiny on sports journalism and the gambling industry in recent months, amid developments on league policies in the wake of a scandal that has swept the NBA.

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In October 2025, the NFL reminded its players that they are prohibited from taking part in any form of illegal gambling and betting on games, and urged stars to ‘protect the integrity of the Shield’.

The warning, of course, stretched to coaches and league personnel too.

With gambling in the spotlight, award-winning Boston Globe columnist Daniel Shaughnessy has critiqued Schefter’s involvement with sports betting company Boom Entertainment — and the financial ties he shares with Kraft.

Their connection dates back to September 2021, when Boom Entertainment finalized a $15 million Series A funding round.

Adam Schefter’s connection with Robert Kraft scrutinized

Sands Capital, an investment firm with $80 billion under management led the round, with further investment from ESPN’s Schefter and Kraft, who is worth $13.8bn.

Boom said at the time that the cash would help it develop new real-money games for US sports betting and online casino.

While the connection between Schefter and Kraft was documented at the time, Shaughnessy has shared his shock that ‘nobody’ has a problem with it, in the wake of scrutiny on the relationship between NFL insiders and league personnel.

Much of that conversation has been driven by the Dianna Russini scandal, which saw the writer leave her post at The Athletic after photographs of her and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel were published.

“Amazing to me that nobody, not even ESPN, has a problem with NFL insider Adam Schefter being a partner in the gaming and sports betting company Boom Entertainment with Patriots owner Bob Kraft,” Shaughnessy mused last week.

“Schefter and Kraft both bought into the group five years ago. Schefter continues to break every big Patriots story, and nobody says anything.

“What a world.”

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While players and coaches would face swift action for violating the NFL’s strict gambling policies, it seems few take issue with high-profile journalists and franchise owners having investments in betting operations alongside one another.

Neutrality and objectivity should be the cornerstones of the sports journalism industry, and the inclusion of betting applications in the business could potentially damage that.

Super Bowl champion calls out NFL for being ‘in bed with gambling sites’

Most seem to turn a blind eye, but Shaughnessy is not alone in his critique.

Three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth challenged the credibility of insiders with affiliations to betting agencies on July 1.

He conducted a Q&A on X, and was asked by one fan: “Why is nobody talking about the fact that Adam Schefter is a business partner in a gambling company with Robert kraft? Seems like a conflict of interest or even collusion from both sides.

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“Players aren’t allowed to bet on sports however owners and insiders can own gambling companies. Make it make sense.”

Responding, the former NFL guard, who is now a Fox Sports analyst, said: “The league is knee-deep in bed with gambling sites.

“They’re making billions of dollars… I can’t make it all make sense.”

Clearly, Schlereth has his reservations about the topic.

But unless the NFL or employers within the sports journalism industry move to restrict the practice, it will no doubt continue.

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