I can’t follow or fathom the gambling end of sports. I like to watch them simply on account of the unscripted display of talent. No other form of live entertainment is like live sports.
Much more money is bet on sports than is made from sports directly in terms of attendance, food, TV rights, etc.
Because of this it is very possible that the talent isn't entirely unscripted. I think this is what Portnoy is hinting at.