The final quarter of 2025 was eventful for Nick Kostos, co-host of You Better You Bet on the BetMGM Network. After signing a contract extension in August, the plan was to continue building on the momentum the program had generated over the past six years. Those plans shifted abruptly when Audacy and Cumulus Media announced a merger of the BetMGM Network and Infinity Sports Network into a single entity.
“I did not know that this [the formation of Westwood One Sports] was coming,” said Kostos when asked if he anticipated changes when he signed his extension in August of 2025. “One of my goals is to make You Better You Bet as broadly appealing as possible to as many people as possible. So, I’ve been preparing for this without knowing it’s coming for a significant period of time.”
When the merger was announced in October of 2025, uncertainty surrounded which talent would remain from both the Infinity Sports Network and BetMGM Network. For Kostos, that uncertainty was brief. It quickly became public that You Better You Bet would move to Westwood One Sports, joining Jim Rome as the talent announced at the time.
“I was told basically around the same time all the news came down,” said Kostos. “There was no real negotiation, which is totally fine. At the time, I’m doing afternoon drive on the East Coast, and now Jim Rome is going to do that timeslot. I have as high an opinion of myself as anybody. But I’m not going to argue that Jim Rome shouldn’t do that timeslot. He’s a living legend in this industry.”
When the opportunity arose to move from afternoons to 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Eastern Time, Kostos viewed it as a “no brainer.” Conversations about joining Westwood One Sports were brief and direct, but they carried added weight. The move involved not only a new timeslot, but also a transition to a solo show.
“I really enjoyed co-hosting for years, whether it was with Ken Barkley or Femi Abebefe. The work I’ve been doing since I was hired to host You Better You Bet in 2019, and certainly over the past couple of football seasons, has been preparing me for this role,” noted Kostos. “I am very confident in my ability to put on a great solo show. This is something that I always knew I could do, and do well.”
A Fresh Opportunity
Joining Westwood One Sports also presents Kostos with the opportunity to reach a broader audience. The merged network offers wider affiliate distribution than the BetMGM Network, expanding the show’s potential reach.
Kostos, best known for coining the phrase “wagertainment,” has gradually evolved his content approach. In the show’s early years, You Better You Bet focused heavily on betting angles.
Over time, he recognized that a sports betting-only focus limited broader appeal, particularly among listeners who do not actively seek betting content. Those adjustments, Kostos believes, better positioned the show to connect with Westwood One Sports’ audience.
“You Better You Bet with Nick Kostos is a traditional sports radio show that also talks about sports betting,” explained Kostos. “Candidly, the distribution of Westwood One Sports is superior to what we had previously. More people are listening to and watching the show.”
While sports betting content has become less dominant, Kostos does not see it fully disappearing.
“Sports betting will always be part of the fabric of who I am and what I do professionally. It will always be a part of You Better You Bet,” said Kostos. “I also need to be able to make it for listeners of Westwood One Sports who don’t bet. I must cater to that person’s needs in the same way that I’m trying to cater to the needs of someone who is looking to place a wager. Trying to toe that line is something I feel we’ve done successfully and is a major goal of mine moving forward.”
Being Bold, Being Different
Westwood One Sports unveiled its weekday lineup in early December, less than two months after announcing the network’s creation. Cumulus Media senior vice president of sports audience and content Bruce Gilbert first hired Armen Williams as executive director of programming. Together, they added Drake C. Toll for morning drive and ESPN Chicago’s Chris Bleck and Adam Abdalla for middays.
The network now features the youngest daytime lineup among fellow syndicators ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, and Westwood One Sports. Kostos believes the combination of youth and experienced leadership support could influence how networks approach content moving forward.
“Do I think there is a place for a network to use talent that may not be as well-known on the national scale, but that programmers believe have a chance to get there? Of course. I don’t think that’s a bad thing,” noted Kostos. “Do I think this is a good thing for the [radio] industry? I do. It’s up to us to make sure that it works.”
In a release announcing the lineup, Gilbert said Westwood One Sports features diverse and passionate voices committed to covering major sports stories through opinions, expert analysis, and fan interaction. The network aims to meet fans where they are, including within the digital creator economy.
From early in his career, Kostos has focused on building both traditional and digital audiences. While some of his peers hesitated, he aggressively pursued online growth.
“Digital is a full-time job that you have in addition to whatever show you’re doing. You can yell at a cloud all you want and not like using social media. That’s fine, and you don’t have to like it,” explained Kostos. “To give yourself the best chance for success, you must be able to use these platforms, even if you don’t want to.”
Kostos prioritizes quality over perfection, from digital strategy to guest booking. He credits his executive producer Bill Zimmerman for helping elevate You Better You Bet into a flagship program on Westwood One Sports.
“The thing that I am concerned about is making the show as good as possible. When the show is over, I want to feel that satisfaction that the program was awesome. That’s what I’m chasing every day,” said Kostos. “If we do that, I think we’re going to win.”
Reflecting While Looking Ahead
One week into the show’s launch on Westwood One Sports, Kostos reflected on a challenging transition that occurred over the past several months. The final quarter of 2025 brought opportunity amid uncertainty, as unfortunately others faced more difficult outcomes.
He looks back on his final months at the BetMGM Network with empathy and gratitude. Balancing excitement with emotion, Kostos believes he handled the transition well.
“I did the best I could at the time. It was not always easy navigating some of the emotions of the moment,” explained Kostos. “I feel a ton of empathy for the people who were affected by this, and I root for all of them. I hope they all do very well moving forward, in the same way that I hope to do well moving forward myself.”
The goal remains unchanged for Kostos: entertain, inform, and laugh, with sports betting along the way. It’s a direction he has no intention of abandoning anytime soon while planting his flag with Westwood One Sports.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
