The NFL may be continuing its anti-gambling stance, but the NFLPA and other players associations are realizing that legalized gambling is around the corner.With that in mind, leaders from the unions are meeting to figure out the next steps and how they can leverage their position in the sports world to benefit constituents. Its amazing the NFL is still plugging its ears and humming while change is happening around them.

Its important that the NFLPA figures out exactly what they can and cant do. Obviously the issues of players wagering on sports will come up, but those rules are essentially in place. NFL players cant wager on NFL games, but they can wager on other sports, as we saw from LeSean McCoys giant wager on the Warriors.Its the other parts of the industry that need to be looked at.

The NFLPAs goal is to make as much money for its members as possible. That will include licensing likenesses of its players to companies associated with gambling. It will include events at casinos. It may even include fundraisers that have players involved with a gambling aspect (arm wrestling, bowling, card tournaments etc.) This meeting creates a foundation so when gambling is legalized and its trending that way the NFLPA can hit the ground running.

This is why its so odd that the NFL keeps its hardline against gambling. They know its coming. Other leagues *cough* the NBA *cough* have decided to bring gambling out from the shadows. Thats why it wont be surprising when the NBA has a commissioned study on sports gambling or a plan already in place when wagering becomes something anyone with a phone could do. The NFL may be setting up plans as well, but it will look real fishy if the league suddenly changes from their stance being unchanged AKA now to welcoming gamblers with open arms once its legal.

This is an area where the NFLPA may be able to take advantage of their increased knowledge based when it comes to negotiations with the league. At least one group involved with professional football has foresight when it comes to throwing a few bucks down on a game on Thursday, Sunday, or Monday.

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NFLPA joins other players associations in gambling symposium - Touchdown Wire