play ball!
Client
MSG
We joined in with MSG Networks during their process of expanding their lineup of sports betting programming, delivering three unique show packages. The Betting Exchange, Odds With Ends, and the Bettor Half Hour are a part of the network’s continued foray into sports betting, and the shows aim to engage fans in a fun and informative way. This gave us a clear mission- differentiate the shows within their unique package and give them the right tone to match the hosts’ big personalities and the upbeat subject matter.
got edge?
We initially presented a couple of design directions to the team at MSG to get a read on where our creative energy should flow. The team connected with two directions right off the bat, and those selections really formed the basis for the overall design direction. This was key, because once we were off to the races, we focused in on delivering our first show package with an extremely quick turnaround.
The first show in the trio we worked on was The Betting Exchange, a dynamic roundtable style show that dives into the latest betting trends across the sports world. Because it was the first to debut, we put a more traditional spin on it in terms of visually referencing classic betting tropes. We designed a visual language using a lot of red and green for losses and gains and financial tickers. Additionally, we created icons for the sports that will be covered on the show- football, boxing, baseball, football- even tennis.
Combining these elements together and adding in some animation gave us a smooth :10 second show open with graphics built entirely in 3D. From there, we were able to deliver the rest of the show package- segment loops, transitions, show bumpers and the insert package.
against the spread
Once we’d turned over the reins to The Betting Exchange, it was on to The Bettor Half Hour, a show that we’d already largely developed the look for in our design presentations. The Bettor Half Hour gives an inside look at the sports betting landscape and has an educational slant, so we wanted the design to channel that visually.
We took this new set of design elements and applied it to the same set of deliverables we’d designed for TBE. Using 3D for this package adds a polished finish to the design and gives it a premium look and feel.
wage a bet
For Odds with Ends, the final show for our betting collaboration with MSG, we pitched three new looks. To differentiate from the first two show packages, we landed on a 2D panel approach. This deliberate choice to go 2D had us bring in a different team of designers and set a different tone for the edits.
The one hour program will serve as the premiere sports betting show on game days, providing fans with in-depth player analysis, game breakdowns and top picks and betting predictions in the lead-up to kickoff. Hosted by former Giants Mathias Kiwanuka and David Tyree, we leaned into football specific imagery for our visual language, tying into our hosts' area of expertiseThis helped us set the visual language we wanted to push with our design and the result is a clean edit that achieves a premium look and feel using entirely 2D.
Working on the launch of these new shows has been an exciting effort for us here at BGSTR, and we were thrilled to get to swing by the newly built set to see our work in action. Their expansive content push is propelling the network’s continued foray into sports betting as it aims to engage fans in a fun and informative way, and the energy on set is palpable.
MSG is staking its claim on the growing sports betting market by creating an entire new genre of programming, and we are honored to be a part.
Props where props are due
