The NFL Doesn't Want Your Bets

[Kaiser Jacob]

Interesting article in todays Wall Street Journal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124511421029417367.html

[slacker00]

NFL needs to get with the times. There's no way they can keep their finger in the dike forever.

[Igetp2s]

I almost wish the NFL got what it wanted, no betting on football. Then their pathetic MNF matchups would get 0 viewers, and they'd lose a ton of money.

How much of the NFL's revenue from TV deals is because of gambling?

[unde0087]

NFL has to say this, but have to know sports betting is the reason they are making money. Who is watching the game when it is 34-3, sports gamblers. Half the games are over by the half and the reason they get ratings is people that have money on the total or spread of the game. Everyone else already turned the channel. NFL wouldn't be anything without gambling and they know it.

The statement in there about worrying about tampering with the game if gambling is legalized in other states "come on", like that doesn't already happen.

This article is beyond laughable, its a joke. And if the NFL really think the games dont get tampered with or that the NFL office is doing something to stop gambling then they are dumber than I thought.

[Willie Bee]

"If sports betting becomes more prevalent through state-promoted schemes, it will inevitably lead those gambling fans to question whether an erroneous officiating call or a dropped pass late in the game resulted from an honest mistake or an intentional act by a corrupt player or referee," says NFL spokesman Joe Browne.

Got news for you, Mr. Browne, the fans are already questioning some calls and some bonehead plays.

[pavyracer]

Got news for you, Mr. Browne, the fans are already questioning some calls and some bonehead plays.

Exactly. Who can forget this year's superbowl when Fitzgerald tackled Harrison on the 1 yard line to end first half but the instant replay couldn't see what 1 billion people saw on their TV's.

[jjgold]

NFL knows gambling is the reason why the league is so popular, they cannot say it though. They do this as a moral obligation and keep a clean image.

[slacker00]

NFL knows gambling is the reason why the league is so popular, they cannot say it though. They do this as a moral obligation and keep a clean image.

I agree.

It's the same thing with steroids. I bet the NFL is juicy as hell with all those wacky substances. Check out the Bill Romanowski 60 minutes interview from a few years ago. But, for whatever reason, the NFL is more of a closed system without as many Canseco's ratting everyone else out. Most importantly, the NFL seems to have better political pull and PR spin than MLB which looks like a bunch of keystone cops when the tough issues come around. The NFL is always ahead of the story with suspensions, fines and statements from the front office. Perception makes reality.

[BarkingToad]

[quote=pavyracer;1948880]Exactly. Who can forget this year's superbowl when Fitzgerald tackled Harrison on the 1 yard line to end first half but the instant replay couldn't see what 1 billion people saw on their TV's.

Not to mention on the same play deshea Townsend was holding Kurt Warner, and the blatant 2 hand shove from behind by Lamarr Woodley on Tim Hightower at around the 30 yard line. Or the incomplete pass last play of the game called a fumble and not reviewed or the "late hit" of darnell Dockett on Roethlisberger as ball was released.

But Pavyracer, you're also probably one of those that thinks New England cheated with their camcorder and using different radio frequency to circumvent communications being cut 20 seconds before the play.

[OB 2138]

lol i take it you guys all had the cards in the super bowl?

[OB 2138]

You wanna know why there are blown calls in sports? Cause refs. Refs are always people who couldn't play the game themselves so they get off by being the ref and controlling the outcome of the games. Same thing with police, all cops are kids who got picked on when they were young and now they see an opportunity to take it out on other people. I don't see how you can have a referee who has no clue what its like to actually play the sport out there controlling games.

[mathdotcom]

NFL has to say this, but have to know sports betting is the reason they are making money. Who is watching the game when it is 34-3, sports gamblers. Half the games are over by the half and the reason they get ratings is people that have money on the total or spread of the game. Everyone else already turned the channel. NFL wouldn't be anything without gambling and they know it.

The statement in there about worrying about tampering with the game if gambling is legalized in other states "come on", like that doesn't already happen.

This article is beyond laughable, its a joke. And if the NFL really think the games dont get tampered with or that the NFL office is doing something to stop gambling then they are dumber than I thought.

Sharpest post in the thread

[jimbojpc]

This is interesting stuff. we need to look into this a bit further.