ESPN's Affect On Gambling

[jtoler]

Im sure Im not the only one who's noticed how ESPN talks about spreads the last two years, before that I dont remember hearing such talk, now there is alot of talk about covering and such and such on their shows, seems to me which way they lean on the gambling topic. Even on their scoreboards the last two years they show the spreads on games, didnt use to be like that. Is this done to try to get the public to warm up to gambling and make it more acceptable and not seen as some mischievous backroom deed for underlings. What do you think.

[jjgold]

Its a good thing

A lot of gamblers watch espn

[Sam Odom]

NBA Comm Office is for legalization

Sammy may live long enough to see legal sports wagering in all 50 states

Congress will workout away to tax it then it will be done

[gauchojake]

I think a lot of media outlets have changed their stance on sports gambling. 15 years ago the only place you could get lines on the NFL from a major newspaper outlet was the USA Today. LA Times has the lines every day now.


Sammy stay dry!

[Sam Odom]

jake , wet and cool

had hot soup for lunch - was good

both dogs in the house they are afraid of the rain - San Diego dogs

[gauchojake]

haha mine went to go outside this morning, took one look at the rain, and went back to bed

pussies

[BriGuy]

The media has had a nudge-nudge-wink-wink relationship with sports gambling, especially football, for years. If you don't believe me, see The Legend of Jimmy the Greek.

[StayGolden]

ESPN was the reason I discovered offshore betting 15 years ago. They were quoting odds from sportsbook.com at that time.

[TheMoneyShot]

I've noticed it more so this year on ESPN than any other year. Don't know exactly why they are doing it? It use to be semi hush hush...

I'm glad they talk about it more... it's entertaining.

[thunderous]

Its because they have realized that gamblers are their core audience!

Who is going to watch Boise State at 11 on a Saturday night? Its us gamblers and if we are the ones who are going to watch then it makes sense to cater to us doesn't it?

Adam Silver gets it...he knows where the ratings of these games are coming from and he realizes that if it is opened up then that number is going to go up only.

The interest in NBA and NFL would drop by 50% or more if nobody in America is betting.

[klemopixx]

I think this leads to idea of more mis-information out there. If ESPN can sway Joe Public to lay more $ on a certain team, this can benefit a lot of sharp people out there.

[face]

cousin sal segment is amazing bc he is absolutely killing it
week after week, I have tailed a few, he wins 82 percent or something
I wonder if it will be a problem but I don't think they care

[jtoler]

I think this leads to idea of more mis-information out there. If ESPN can sway Joe Public to lay more $ on a certain team, this can benefit a lot of sharp people out there.

I agree, nothing like the casual bettor listening to the "experts" saying who they think should win, I never let one of those guys sway me. Only thing Ive had a thought that if gambling was ever made legal in 50 states that there would no doubt be more corruption, players would know alot more people who gamble then and more than likely more of those players would be influenced. With alot more people gambling whenever you see something shady it would be talk about it on radio, social media, etc... So I kinda like it the way it is, not exactly legal but still able to gamble.

[TwoWays]

I think it's wrong espn does this. Lots of kids and teens watch sports. It's a bad example to set.

[goofyre]

http://espn.go.com/espn/chalk/

[jtoler]

I think it's wrong espn does this. Lots of kids and teens watch sports. It's a bad example to set.

I think that too really. I dont mind them talking about it, wouldnt mind gambling shows on there but kids would see it so its not the best idea.

[jjgold]

A lot of these guys sound good and definitely have thrown me off games and pick the other side

[t-wizzle]

Good post but they've never shied away from recognizing gambling.

The Swami segment and Hank Goldberg segments have been around for years.

[klemopixx]

When does it come to the point where you ask yourself, "Who do you trust?" When teams start screwing with the injury list? I think that crap is already happening. No one said Rivers had an injury till his tight end mentioned it in an interview this year. Romo had a rib injury but it was always passed off as his back issue. When do we see a Behind The Lines segment about networks withholding info or worse yet, fabricating an injury or issue to sway the spread?

[TheMoneyShot]

cousin sal segment is amazing bc he is absolutely killing it
week after week, I have tailed a few, he wins 82 percent or something
I wonder if it will be a problem but I don't think they care

This is something that ESPN will correct next season. Guy gives out way too many winners. I'm quite surprised that they allow this guy to talk.

[EaglesPhan36]

Only reason to watch ESPN is for the actual games. All else on there is a bunch of fabricated nonsense.

[Punta de Mita]

Im sure Im not the only one who's noticed how ESPN talks about spreads the last two years, before that I dont remember hearing such talk, now there is alot of talk about covering and such and such on their shows, seems to me which way they lean on the gambling topic. Even on their scoreboards the last two years they show the spreads on games, didnt use to be like that. Is this done to try to get the public to warm up to gambling and make it more acceptable and not seen as some mischievous backroom deed for underlings. What do you think.

Yes you pretty much hit the nail on the head. They know sports gambling will probably be legal sometime in the next 5-10 years Nd want to be in on the game when it happens. You already see it with the sports leagues investing in equity stakes in the big fantasy sites.

[Punta de Mita]

I think it's wrong espn does this. Lots of kids and teens watch sports. It's a bad example to set.

Sissy!

[Punta de Mita]

NBA Comm Office is for legalization

Sammy may live long enough to see legal sports wagering in all 50 states

Congress will workout away to tax it then it will be done

Agree, think the Feds realize it's time to stop spending money fighting it and start collecting money accepting it. Think it's 5 years away from full legalization maybe sooner.

[Lookingtostart]

When does it come to the point where you ask yourself, "Who do you trust?" When teams start screwing with the injury list? I think that crap is already happening. No one said Rivers had an injury till his tight end mentioned it in an interview this year. Romo had a rib injury but it was always passed off as his back issue. When do we see a Behind The Lines segment about networks withholding info or worse yet, fabricating an injury or issue to sway the spread?

Spot on, this crap is already happening.

[BigDofBA]

I've been watching ESPN my entire life and they do seem to be talking about it more.

Now they have lines on their ticker at espn.com and college game day always references the line.

While Lee and Kirk have always talked about the "experts" they haven't just straight up said, this team is favored by 3.

Hell, on Sports center they referenced a futures line from Bovada a few months ago.

[GunShard]

ESPN should help legalize online sports betting in America.

[Grits n' Gravy]

Until the NFL loses its power as top dog in sports world, national sports betting isn't happening.

[El Nino]

Until the NFL loses its power as top dog in sports world, national sports betting isn't happening.

This.

[thunderous]

Until the NFL loses its power as top dog in sports world, national sports betting isn't happening.

Unfortunately it will never happen because of Fantasy which if you ask anybody anywhere in the world is gambling.
NFL is enjoying this unprecedented success only because of it.

Anyone else listen to local sports radio? Even those guys give out picks against the number....everybody gets it their audience is there because of gambling.

[BriGuy]

Unfortunately it will never happen because of Fantasy which if you ask anybody anywhere in the world is gambling.
NFL is enjoying this unprecedented success only because of it.

Ironically gambling on fantasy football is legal.

I always wondered what would happen if someone started a "fanduel" type website where you draft your 1-week fantasy team, only you draft only 1 position, say the QB. Then you are assigned every player on that QB's team. You only score points for actual TD's and FG's and safeties and XP's, not for yardage, sacks, turnovers, etc. Then you "duel" against someone but you have to spot them a certain amount of points which, by an amazing coincidence, is the same as the point spread.

For example, I draft Peyton Manning and my "team" costs me $110. The computer assigns me everyone on the Broncos roster. The computer matches me up with someone who drafts Philip Rivers and his team costs him $110. The guy with Rivers gets an adjustment of +4.5 to his final. Winner takes $210. $10 commission for the website owner.

[TwoWays]

Legalized sports betting nationwide will never ever ever happen in USA.

[Jrod124]

Ironically gambling on fantasy football is legal.

I always wondered what would happen if someone started a "fanduel" type website where you draft your 1-week fantasy team, only you draft only 1 position, say the QB. Then you are assigned every player on that QB's team. You only score points for actual TD's and FG's and safeties and XP's, not for yardage, sacks, turnovers, etc. Then you "duel" against someone but you have to spot them a certain amount of points which, by an amazing coincidence, is the same as the point spread.

For example, I draft Peyton Manning and my "team" costs me $110. The computer assigns me everyone on the Broncos roster. The computer matches me up with someone who drafts Philip Rivers and his team costs him $110. The guy with Rivers gets an adjustment of +4.5 to his final. Winner takes $210. $10 commission for the website owner.

Love it!

[KiDBaZkiT]

Its annoying as shit. Bunch of people talking about spreads that aren't making picks that are obviously being paid by Vegas to sway the public on wrong side.

[TheMoneyShot]

Until the NFL loses its power as top dog in sports world, national sports betting isn't happening.

This.

Call me blind... but why? Why the NFL?