If you’ve followed sports betting social content over the past few years, chances are you have already seen Greg Ivory. As the former betting on-air talent at Bleacher Report, Ivory’s “Winners Only, Please” mentality electrified sports wagering online.
Ivory — current Senior Social Media Editor with Yahoo Sports — is a former college athlete from Northern California. Hailing from tough territory, Greg overcame trying circumstances to make it where he is now.
It’s not every day that you break bread with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, nor is it common to attend a World Series game with legendary whale Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale (responsible for the largest recorded individual handle in sports betting history). Still, Ivory’s talent, work ethic and optimism have propelled him to exactly these places and more.
As one of social media’s first sports betting influencers, Greg sat down with Playboy’s Gabriel Santiago to chat about his sports journey, betting methodology, upcoming NFL and MLB predictions, late nights with Ochocino, overall life outlook and more.
Playboy: Let’s start at the beginning. What’s your origin story with sports?
Greg: Brother, I’ve been playing sports since I was a kid. It started off with baseball. I think I was three years old. I wasn’t supposed to be out there since baseball starts at four years old and my parents had me out there early. I played baseball for a couple years then started playing Pop Warner football. I also played CYO basketball growing up, but eventually my heart landed on baseball and I was able to play it in college for the Academy of Art San Francisco. That’s where I really developed my love of sports, through my childhood. Once my playing days were over, I started talking to some of my friends and seeing what they were doing. They were dabbling in sports betting. They were all having money and I was just like, “wait, I know sports as well. I played my whole life. I can get some money, too.” And that’s exactly how I started betting.
Playboy: We’re both Bay Area guys. I know you’re from Richmond, CA. Most people from outside the Bay associate Richmond with Coach Carter (2005) starring Samuel L. Jackson, but it’s much more than that. What was it like growing up there?
Greg: I was very blessed. My mom did her best to shelter me. A lot of people that I grew up with are either passed away — rest their souls — or in jail. It was tough, but I was the kid that my family protected. Everybody knew I was a sports guy. I always just tried to stay in sports. Sports was really the reason that kept me from running the streets because if I didn’t have sports I probably would have been doing what everybody else was doing. But I was so glued to sports and so connected to it. I really wanted to be a professional baseball player. That kept me out of the light that people usually see Richmond. Still, it’s a great city. I love it. Every time I go visit, I love going to all my good food spots and sitting by the water. Definitely don’t want to take the good things away from the city but it was tough growing up there for sure.
Playboy: So, from playing ball in Richmond, what took you across the Bay to study at Academy of Art San Francisco?
Greg: It was pretty dope going there. I speak highly of the Academy of Art. I really enjoyed my time there. That place put me in a creative space that I never thought I would reach. Honestly, I never thought I would end up at art school. I used to think that people that went to art school were nerds. Where I’m from, that was the stereotype. When I got the opportunity, it was because of baseball. I didn’t know what I was walking into at all. I did a little multimedia in high school. I was the anchor for my high school’s newscast so I had a little inkling of what it would have been. Still, I didn’t really know what I was walking into but my time at Academy of Art was so dope. I got a lot of hands-on experience that I still use today. I met a ton of people that are thriving and excelling today. There’s tons of networking opportunities. The hands-on experience that they provided me has really helped me in my career. I’m so thankful for that institution and the skills that they provided me with.
Playboy: In your opinion, what’s the best aspect about San Francisco’s picturesque Oracle Park?
Greg: Ooo I would say the fog rolling in. It’s just something about it and having to bundle up. You better bring a jacket. If you go to the ballpark without bringing a jacket, I don’t know what you’re doing. Even in the daytime, I’m taking a sweatshirt. In San Francisco, when that fog rolls in and you see it on the TV or if you’re at the game, you just know you’re in San Francisco. You’re at Oracle Park. The smell of the popcorn and garlic fries are my favorite things about going to 3rd & King. But it’s very unique that the fog that rolls in. I don’t know if that happens in any other MLB stadium in the country.
Playboy: That’s very true! So, working in sports media and sports betting, do you have a favorite person you’ve interviewed so far?
Greg: My boy Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. I was just with him out here in Vegas. We went to a soul food restaurant. Chad is the homie. We have many memories together, many car rides and many conversations. I worked with him often when I was at Bleacher Report.
Playboy: Care to share a specific story?
Greg: The other day, I hit Chad up on Instagram because he got a new phone number and he actually texted me back talking about McDonald’s at like 5 a.m. I’m thinking, “who is this?” At that time of night, I thought it was a woman that I met earlier or something. I didn’t know who it was. It’s 5 a.m. and he’s talking about McDonald’s. Well, it ended up being Chad and it was super funny. That’s the homie—my favorite celebrity I’ve ever met.
Playboy: That definitely sounds like Ochocinco. I’d let the late call slide if he brought you something to eat. Switching gears here, describe your methodology in researching your picks for NFL, MLB, and NBA.
Greg: I do it a little differently, man. I have a lot of people that I depend on. Don’t get me wrong, I also do my research. I definitely research. I like The Action Network, shout out to them. The way they make it so plain and simple for bettors to go to a platform and be able to digest the information that I need in order to make a bet. In my opinion, Action does it best.
Playboy: Can you expand on that for me?
Greg: The Action Network app is so accessible. I go to the app, look into some trends, look at where the money is. Then, I hit up my people in the industry before coming up with a calculated decision of “this is what we’re rocking with.” It’s a mixture of my research and some advice from some of my trusty “Winners Only” members. Then, we get right to it.
Playboy: I love that approach. With NFL season now here, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are attempting to make history by winning three consecutive Lombardi Trophies. Before the season, K.C. had three-to-one odds to win the AFC and five-to-one odds to win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Is there another team you are betting on in either market to stop the Chiefs’ title streak?
Greg: That one team I’m going to say is the San Francisco 49ers and it’s not because I’m biased. It’s because I’m a realist. They have the same team as last year. The Niners paid all their guys. They’re trying to come back and knock off some heads. S.F. has one of the best running backs in the game. They have one of the best playmakers in the game in Deebo Samuel. He’s a wide receiver, respectfully, but I like to call him a playmaker because you can line Deebo up anywhere on the field. You can even line him up at quarterback, just ask the Rams. There’s also Fred Warner who is one of the best defensive players in the league. I just think this 49ers team is really put together to make a run barring any injury. That is no bias! Still, another team I will tell you to watch out for is the Houston Texans. The Texans might not win it all, but when it comes to stopping Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, watch out for Houston and C.J. Stroud.
Playboy: Staying with the Texans, they’re in store for a Week 2 matchup on Sunday Night Football versus the Chicago Bears. With Houston laying a touchdown at home, what’s your outlook for this primetime clash?
Greg: I just talked about Stroud and those boys. I think it’ll be fireworks for Houston. I don’t like the Bears in that spot. Sure, Chicago won last Sunday and they’re going to NRG Stadium on a high note. It might be a shootout, but at the end of the day, I think the Texans will take that one.
Playboy: Summer is coming to an end and the 2024 Fall Classic will be here soon enough. Who do you like to win the upcoming World Series?
Greg: Watch out for the Yankees. There’s some 2000s nostalgia going on with New York. Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and even Giancarlo Stanton have been productive. Watch out for those Yankees. I like what they have going on in the Bronx. If their pitching can come around with their hitting, New York might be onto something this year.
Playboy: To those who don’t know, what does Winners Only Please mean?
Greg: It means we are looking for Winners only, please. When you wake up, you win. When you take a breath in the morning, you win. When you’re able to go to sleep at night in a safe environment, you’re winning. Winning is a lifestyle. In our world today, a lot of people tend to not focus on the wins, rather, they focus on the losses and I’m totally against that. I’m a positive guy and a faith believer. I like to see the good in things. In the betting community, it was becoming very negative pertaining to if you had the same sports bet as an audience member of whoever it was. I wanted to turn that mentality around, so I created a phrase—winners only, please. It pertains to betting and it pertains to life. Just go out there and win. Win the day.
Playboy: Final question, how is your French Bulldog, Parlay, doing?
Greg: Ah, Parlay. She’s chillin’ man. She’s getting big and becoming a little headache. That girl is a real diva. She definitely makes sure I always open her door when we’re getting out of the car. She’s fed really, really, really well. That’s my baby. I love her. She’s doing really good, thanks for asking.
Editor’s note: The advice provided by the author does not represent the views of Playboy. Taking any advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. Always use your own judgment when participating in sports betting. Still, for daily bettors, the best insight anyone ever gave me was to stay away from parlays (the bet kind, not the dog kind).
