3:44 am - October 26, 2025
The title’s new bot-produced sports articles combine Major League Baseball schedules with heavy sports betting promotions.
USA Today has expanded its use of automated journalism, publishing articles that combine Major League Baseball schedules with sports betting promotions – a move that has reignited concerns about the ethical boundaries between news and marketing.
At a glance, the articles appear routine: they list upcoming MLB games under standard headlines, with a byline from a USA Today editor and a short introduction. But embedded throughout are heavy promotions for betting platforms like FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars, offering sign-up bonuses alongside disclaimers about responsible gambling.
Disclaimers within the articles acknowledge the automated nature of the content, noting that schedules are generated using information from Stats Perform and a template rather than traditional reporting.
The blending of news and betting raises ethical questions. Should journalism maintain a clear separation from gambling marketing, particularly given the risks of addiction? Newsrooms across the industry, including ESPN and Gannett, are grappling with this tension as sports betting becomes more mainstream following its legalisation in 2018.
Brian Moritz, a journalism professor, has argued that while there is an obvious market for betting-related content, merging editorial and commercial interests undermines trust. The issue is especially acute when automated content serves as a delivery system for gambling promotions rather than genuine reporting.
Gannett, USA Today’s parent company, has faced criticism before for clumsy attempts at automated sports journalism, including a widely mocked rollout of poorly generated high school sports reports. Critics argue the latest move amounts to little more than a cash grab, prioritising affiliate revenue over storytelling.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://futurism.com/usa-today-automated-sports-stories – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/11/can-reporters-make-bets-on-sports-they-cover-we-asked-a-dozen-newsrooms/ – An exploration of how various newsrooms handle the issue of reporters betting on sports they cover. The article examines policies from organizations like The Athletic, ESPN, and Gannett, highlighting the ethical considerations and potential conflicts of interest involved in such practices.
- https://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/2015/03/16/sports-marketing-deal-between-usa-today-and-indycar-raises-ethical-issues/ – A discussion on the ethical concerns arising from the partnership between USA Today and the IndyCar Series. The article delves into how combining news coverage with advertising can blur the lines between journalism and marketing, potentially compromising journalistic integrity.
- https://uark.pressbooks.pub/journalismethics/chapter/chapter-7/ – An examination of conflicts of interest in sports journalism, focusing on the challenges posed by sports betting. The chapter discusses how financial interests, such as partnerships with betting companies, can influence reporting and the importance of maintaining journalistic independence.
- https://oracle.newpaltz.edu/sports-betting-ethics/ – An analysis of the ethical implications of sports betting in journalism. The article highlights instances where media outlets have engaged in partnerships with betting companies and the potential impact on journalistic objectivity and credibility.
- https://rollingout.com/2023/08/31/usa-today-network-a-i-sports-stories/ – A report on the USA Today Network’s decision to pause AI-generated sports stories after errors were discovered. The article discusses the challenges and ethical considerations of using AI in journalism, particularly in sports reporting.
- https://awfulannouncing.com/newspapers/gannett-usa-today-ai-sports-editor.html – An overview of Gannett’s initiative to hire an ‘AI Sports Editor’ amid union tensions. The article explores the company’s efforts to integrate AI into sports journalism and the associated ethical and labor concerns.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative discusses recent trends in sports journalism, including automated content and the integration of sports betting advertising. However, it does not provide specific dates or events that would indicate if the information is current or recycled.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative includes a quote from Brian Moritz, but specific sources or dates for the quote are not provided. This makes it difficult to verify if the quote is original or has been used previously.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Futurism, which is not typically considered a traditional or mainstream news outlet. However, it raises valid points about journalistic ethics and trends in the media industry.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about USA TODAY’s automated sports journalism and its integration with sports betting advertisements are plausible, as this is a known trend in the media industry. The narrative raises legitimate concerns about journalistic ethics and objectivity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative discusses plausible trends in automated journalism and sports betting, its reliability is limited by the source and lack of specific dates or original sources for quotes. The narrative raises important ethical concerns but requires further verification.
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