Pro League Network Raises $2.2 Million to Expand Betting on Niche Sports

Pro League Network (PLN) has successfully raised $2.2 million to bring betting options to niche sports like slapfighting, CarJitsu, and streetball. Founded in 2022 by Mike Salvaris and Bill Yucatonis, PLN specializes in commercializing lesser-known sports and regulating them for gambling purposes. This unique approach sets them apart in the competitive betting market.

Operating from Missouri, PLN targets sports that quickly capture fan interest on social media and are easy for casual viewers to understand and bet on after a brief watch. This strategy aims to fill gaps in the sports-wagering calendar when few or no live professional sports are available for betting.

High-profile sportsbooks such as DraftKings and Bet365 have integrated PLN’s properties in approved states and markets. In a Business Insider interview, co-founder Bill Yucatonis highlighted how these unique offerings solve a significant problem for operators by providing engaging content during slow periods.

“We are solving a problem. We are targeting times a day and days a week that we know are a blemish for operators,” said Yucatonis.

In the next year, PLN plans to expand its top properties, including CarJitsu, SlapFight Championship, and Str33t, a professional 3×3 basketball league developed with Garnett’s Big Ticket Sports. The company will also continue supporting the World Putting League for professional minigolf, which has consistently attracted wagering fans.

PLN’s success in attracting investors is partly due to its strategy of owning and operating sports properties. Initially, investors were hesitant, unsure if regulators would approve these niche sports for gambling. However, PLN demonstrated the viability of its offerings when SlapFight Championship received regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions.