# 'Money Talks' on prime time CNBC - this business model can't be real

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-talks-on-prime-time-cnbc-this-business-model-cant-be-real/686448>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [April 18, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-talks-on-prime-time-cnbc-this-business-model-cant-be-real/686448 "2014-04-18T22:22:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Linden\_Arden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-talks-on-prime-time-cnbc-this-business-model-cant-be-real/686448/1 "2014-04-18T22:22:45Z")

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[http://www.cnbc.com/id/100950308](http://www.cnbc.com/id/100950308)

OK, this show has an owner of a “sports betting service” named Steve Stevens who sells “sure thing” picks on football games. He has many employees and a gorgeous lifestyle although he is a greasy type himself.

Model = Stevens takes a 20% commission on winning bets! Plus he pays for a large office, commissions to “salesmen”, card fees, a flat rate of $250 week, expenses, and so on.

The show NEVER shows how they arrive at these surefire picks and Stevens is not a bright guy. There is no research or expert analysis shown. And on the show he loses at least 40% of games he picks.

Is CNBC paying the freight?

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**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-talks-on-prime-time-cnbc-this-business-model-cant-be-real/686448/2 "2014-04-19T01:10:45Z")

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Is he taking 20% of the losses? I think not. That’s the business model.