Wayne Root launched his career on FNN, and then starred on Proline and The Winning Edge TV shows to build the biggest brand in sports handicapping.
Active since: 1985
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Wayne Root started his career at age 16 when the media dubbed him "The Betting Whizkid" and "the next Jimmy the Greek." After graduating from prestigious Ivy League Columbia University, Wayne became the sports gaming expert on NBC Radio New York and NBC Radio Chicago. Soon he was predicting NFL point spread winners on over 100 NBC Source Radio stations nationwide. By age 27, Wayne was Jimmy “the Greek's” television partner on Financial News Network (now known as CNBC). ONLY IN AMERICA! Wayne served as FNN’s Oddsmaker, NFL Analyst and host of its pregame and postgame football shows, including FNN Zone, Huddle Up, Fantasy Zone, and The Fan Speaks Out. He was also its anchorman for sports scores and updates.
Following FNN, Wayne was the star and rainmaker of the sports handicapping pregame show Proline on USA TV Network for 10 years. Wayne had the most expensive 900 (pay-per-call) numbers in U.S. telemarketing history: $50 and $100 per call for his sports betting advice. Millions of sports gamblers called for Wayne’s famous advice.
Wayne’s national TV football pregame show, The Winning Edge aired from 2000 to 2009 on popular national television networks such as Fox Sports Net, Comcast Sports Net, Superstation WGN, Discovery and Spike TV.
Wayne has been profiled by the biggest media in the world, including CNBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Equities, Worth, Success, Financial Times and Robb Report.
Wayne literally “wrote the book" on sports gambling — three books to be exact...
ROOT on Risk: Betting to Win on Sports
The Zen of Gambling
The King of Vegas' Guide to Gambling
Wayne also co-created, co-executive produced and co-hosted a gambling reality TV show on Spike TV (King of Vegas).
In 2006, Wayne became the only Vegas oddsmaker or sports handicapper ever awarded a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. The Governor of Nevada presented Wayne's star at the ceremony. It was named "Wayne Root Day" in the state of Nevada and Clark County (the city of Las Vegas). Wayne's 180-pound granite star sits in the sidewalk on Las Vegas Blvd along with Vegas legends like Elvis Presley, Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Siegfield & Roy.
Some recent highlights:
2020 January and February college basketball Pinnacles 18-8 (70%)
2019 MLB finished in top 5 in USA
2019 NBA Playoffs 28-13 (68%)
2018 NFL Root Trust won 12 of 17 weeks (71%)
2018 MLB finished in top 8 in USA
2017 March Madness went 71%
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NCAAB - Point Spread - Wed, Jan 28 @ 11:00 PM
San Francisco vs Santa Clara
Santa Clara -10 (-110) (Consensus Line)
Play Santa Clara This matchup features Santa Clara’s elite home‑court advantage (11-0 at home in 2025), perimeter efficiency and scoring balance against a San Francisco team that shoots the three well and has been competitive against top conference opponents this season. Santa Clara’s 11–0 home ...
Play Santa Clara This matchup features Santa Clara’s elite home‑court advantage (11-0 at home in 2025), perimeter efficiency and scoring balance against a San Francisco team that shoots the three well and has been competitive against top conference opponents this season. Santa Clara’s 11–0 home record, rebounding stability and superior offensive efficiency present a difficult matchup for a Dons team that has struggled to close out games on the road. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Santa Clara Broncos in this game. The Big Game CBB SEC GAME OF THE YEAR, (Pinnacle) Wayne, 3-0, is ON FIRE in these big games. We’re 4-0 in football and 3-1 in CBB. That’s a 86% top plays winning streak. You demand; WE DELIVER. The SEC GAME OF YEAR; Pinnacle.NCAAB - Point Spread - Wed, Jan 28
Wayne, 3-0, is ON FIRE in these big games. We’re 4-0 in football and 3-1 in CBB. That’s a 86% top plays winning strea...
Wayne, 3-0, is ON FIRE in these big games. We’re 4-0 in football and 3-1 in CBB. That’s a 86% top plays winning streak. You demand; WE DELIVER. The SEC GAME OF YEAR; Pinnacle.$30
NCAAB - Point Spread - Wed, Jan 28
Wayne, 3-0, won his Gold Standard yesterday. Tonight we’re taking the 10-1 home team that’s 9-1 in conference play an...
Wayne, 3-0, won his Gold Standard yesterday. Tonight we’re taking the 10-1 home team that’s 9-1 in conference play and on an 8-1 run.$30
NCAAB - Point Spread - Wed, Jan 28
Wayne, 3-0; the opponent scores 66 ppg and is expected to be competitive on the road in this game. NO CHANCE! They ge...
Wayne, 3-0; the opponent scores 66 ppg and is expected to be competitive on the road in this game. NO CHANCE! They get destroyed thru home team environment and rebounding.$30
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