Sports betting and numbers go hand-in-hand, so it’s no surprise that odds are a vital part of the equation. Understanding sports betting odds can help you make informed decisions about which side of the spread or moneyline to back, and whether a proposition bet is worth your time.

There used to be a hard line between sports media and gambling, but that’s long gone now that many states offer legal sportsbooks. The NBA on TNT regularly includes betting information in the corner of the screen, and ESPN’s sports shows feature a ticker with odds during games. It’s also common to see personalities on sports shows making picks based on the over/under or point spread. This has led to many partnerships between media companies and sportsbooks, a natural alignment that reflects the increased interest in the sport by the general public.

Major leagues are also forming relationships with betting operators to promote their products, including the new MLB/FanDuel partnership. This pact adds to FanDuel’s US sports sponsorship roster, which already includes the NFL, NBA, NHL, PGA Tour and WTA. These relationships can be beneficial for both parties, as sportsbooks gain name-brand recognition and official data to use in their oddsmaking while the leagues earn revenue from licensing fees for their branding and logos on sportsbook advertising.