Philly Radio: WIP's Rob Ellis To Co-Host TV Sports Betting Show

Longtime Philly sports talker and broadcaster Rob Ellis is returning to television, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Ellis, who hasn’t appeared on TV since NBC Sports Philadelphia declined to renew his contract last year, will co-host a new sports betting show called Odds On on CBS3 alongside sports anchor Pat Gallen. The new show will air at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays, starting this weekend.

Ellis, who spent 17 years at NBC Sports Philadelphia (the bulk of it while the network was still known as Comcast SportsNet), will continue his hosting duties on Entercom's 94.1 WIP, which lately has found him filling in overnight for Big Daddy Graham, who is recovering from spinal cord surgery.

Rob Ellis

Since sports gambling was made legal in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the amount of programming devoted to placing bets on games has exploded, both nationally and in the Philadelphia area.

Also in the Philly market, Fox29 airs Props-and-Locks on Thursday nights, hosted by former Eagles linebacker Garry Cobb, Fox 29 sports anchor Scott Grayson, and FOX Bet gambling expert Todd Fuhrman. NBC Sports Philadelphia has experimented with both studio shows and alternative broadcasts during live games that feature wagering information, and airs a simulcast of The Daily Line on NBC Sports Philadelphia+. Crossing Broad’s Kyle Scott has pivoted to offer more content geared toward sports betting, and former 97.5 The Fanatic host Sean Brace launched a new radio network — 102.5 The Gambler — focused on sports betting.

“You have two guys hosting with personality,” Ellis said, adding that the show would be “conversational” and the two hosts won’t simply be spewing out numbers for 30 minutes. “It’s a good back and forth between Pat and I that is relatable.”

According to Ellis, the plan is for the show to at least run through the end of the NFL season, though one source said it could extend into April, through the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.