Clay Travis Launches Sport & State to Recapture Right-Wing Media Market
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The media mogul is pivoting to a self-referential commercial model to compete with independent distribution giants like Joe Rogan and Pat McAfee.
Clay Travis has launched a new media venture, Sport & State, in an effort to reclaim cultural territory and market share lost to independent sports-media figures including Joe Rogan, Pat McAfee, Ben Shapiro, and Tucker Carlson, as The Guardian first reported. According to the report, Travis previously sold his media property, Outkick, to Fox Sports for a rumored $100 million.
To insulate the business from traditional subscription volatility and external advertiser reliance, Travis is implementing a commercial strategy centered on onshoring advertising. The Guardian reports that Travis either owns or holds stakes in several companies promoted on the network, including Clay Travis Law, XX-XY Athletics, Crockett Coffee, and Perfect 10 Mortgage. Additionally, Hard Rock Bet serves as the official gambling partner and holds equity in Sport & State.
Gambling remains a primary revenue driver for Travis's business model. The Guardian notes that Outkick previously functioned as a FanDuel affiliate, earning $350 per new account and netting $2 million in affiliate betting revenue on Super Bowl Sunday in 2021. Travis intends for Sport & State to generate similar rewards through the Hard Rock Bet partnership while simultaneously driving growth for Perfect 10 Mortgage.
In a bid for publicity for the new venture, Travis recently offered $2 million to charity for an interview with former NFL star Colin Kaepernick, though The Guardian reports that Kaepernick has not responded.