Despite nearly one year of trying to capture US sports betting market share, ESPN Bet’s struggle to compete appears in terminal decline after Penn Entertainment axed several jobs.

According to media reports on Wednesday, Penn employees logged onto LinkedIn to share they were being laid off, including “an affiliate marketing manager for ESPN Bet.” Front Office Sports reporter A.J. Perez took to X to share an email from Penn’s CEO Jay Snowden to staff announcing the layoffs:

It’s the performance of ESPN Bet, however, that draws attention to the job cuts. Legal Sports Report cited Citizens JPM as stating ESPN Bet “ranked sixth in terms of second quarter handle.” ESPN Bet’s 3.2% market share for the second quarter is down from the first quarter’s 4.7%. Considering DraftKings’ (38%) and FanDuel’s (36.5%) market share, the sportsbook is way out of touch with the leaders. ?

Ex-USA Today Sportsbook Wire website writer and podcaster Geoff Clark used his OutKick Bets platform to air his bewilderment at ESPN Bet’s woes. Saying that while he understood the likes of FanDuel have been in the game longer: “ESPN Bet struggling blows my mind.”

Clark puzzled at how the brand can lose market share when it has the rights to live sports. The outspoken sports betting expert also roasted Snowden’s email to staff where the Penn exec stated his firm was “well-positioned” despite the job cuts.

employee getting laid off doesn’t give a f*ck that PENN is “well-positioned”

Clark stated that “the employee getting laid off doesn’t give a f*ck that PENN is “well-positioned.” He added: “If anything, the people no longer working for ESPN Bet are probably rooting for its demise. I know I’d be.”

Earlier this month, reports emerged that FanDuel parent Flutter Entertainment was allegedly considering a takeover of Penn in a team-up with Boyd Gaming.