Daily Archives: May 13, 2024

Integrity is the word on the lips of every professional sports league commissioner as investigations into gambling unfold and punishments are handed down.

Players, coaches and other personnel associated with sport organizations are expected to uphold high standards of conduct and integrity to make professional sport worthy of the publics time and money.

CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie referenced integrity when he announced in late April that defensive lineman and three-time Grey Cup champion Shawn Lemon had been suspended indefinitely. Lemon was found to have engaged in sports wagering while he was a member of the Calgary Stampeders, even betting on a game in which he himself participated.

The integrity of our game is of the utmost importance, said Ambrosie. Any other factors career performance, actions in community, timing, frequency or size of wagers hold no weight when the legitimacy of the CFL can be called into question.

Ambrosie stressed the gravity of the matter, wanting fans to know his office was adequately addressing the issue. He also clarified that Lemons misdeeds didnt impact any game outcomes.

This incident is the latest in a string of gambling-related issues that professional sports leagues have faced recently. The rise of sports betting, fuelled by the proliferation of online platforms and the legalization of gambling in many jurisdictions, has brought new complexities to the world of sports.

Adam Silver, Commissioner of the NBA, faced a similar issue in April when the NBA started investigating Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for allegedly betting on games.

The investigation concluded that Porter had indeed violated league rules and he was banned from the NBA. He allegedly disclosed confidential information about his health to an NBA bettor before a March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings.

In addition, during his time with the Raptors G League from January to March, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games totalling US$54,094. None of the bets were on games in which he played and he ended up making a profit of $21,965 from all the wagers.

In a statement, Silver said:

There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porters blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment.

Porters penalty was the first lifetime ban issued by the NBA since 1954 when Jack Molinas was permanently bounced for wagering on games that involved his team, the Fort Wayne Pistons.

Silvers stiff brand of justice was a public message: the NBA was prepared to protect the integrity of its game because the fans need to be able to trust the product.

The role of the MLBs commissioner was created in 1920 for just that reason: to restore public faith in professional baseball after eight members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted on criminal charges that alleged they fixed the 1919 World Series.

They were found not guilty amid several irregularities, including vanishing evidence in the form of self-incriminating statements. Justice wasnt served and everyone knew it.

Kenesaw Mountain Landis was installed as MLBs first commissioner. A former judge, he provided the penalty when the courts didnt lifetime bans for all eight implicated players. The public seemed satisfied that the cheats got their just deserts and faith was restored.

Almost a century later, Landis approach one rooted in a deterrence theory of punishment remains the standard for those that bet on games in which theyre involved.

Present-day league commissioners have learned from Landis how to handle gambling infractions, but missed his lesson on how to avoid them. Landis demanded that club owners rid their respective ballparks of any trace of gambling by being vigilant and stomping it out. Landis applied the wisdom: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

But this is not the state of modern sport. Commissioners and the owners they serve fully embrace the proliferation of legalized sport gambling. Thats where the money is. Leagues and teams have partnered with wagering sites to pad their wallets.

In 2021, the Ottawa Senators were the first to wear a gambling advertisement with a BET99 helmet sticker, making players skating billboards for sport betting.

The irony was lost on no one when Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto was the first modern NHLer suspended for a gambling infraction in 2023.

Gone are the days when Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were banned from MLB because they accepted jobs as Atlantic City casino greeters in their retirement.

Players, current and former, have cozied up to gambling interests in league-allowed ways, advertising their product on television for all children included to see. It resembles the star-studded cast of athletes that pushed Chesterfield cigarettes decades ago, which used sports stars to appeal to young boys.

Anti-gambling advocates are pleading for the sports industry to re-think its approach to betting, but the practice has only become more pervasive and accessible.

The impact has been disastrous. Kids as young as eight-years-old are hooked and its only going to get worse.

In the end, sports leagues will protect the integrity of the game: theres money in preserving the trust and loyalty of their audiences. But will these same leagues demonstrate the integrity necessary to reverse course and protect vulnerable members of society from developing a gambling addiction? Theres no money in that, so dont bet on it.

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Professional sport commissioners are fighting to preserve league integrity amid gambling scandals - The Conversation

The 2024 legislative session saw a comprehensive gambling package fall short of passage when the Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday despite a late push to pass something in the waning hours.

During Friday's broadcast of Huntsville WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) lamented that the ongoing battle to pass a gaming package made things "not very productive" in either chamber to pass other legislation.

"It was not very productive, in either chamber, and the cause of that was the gambling issue, and that's unfortunate because a lot of times a lot of good legislation does get passed on the last day. But because gaming was in the wind, it kind of sucked all the oxygen out, and the House held the education budget hostage while [they were] trying to give time for those trying to promote the issue in the Senate to get it done, and it just wasn't going to work."

"When you're talking about gaming, they'll pull out all of the stops, and that's just using political leverage trying to get what you want down the road," he added. "It didn't work, but it caused problems for other pieces of legislation when they resorted to those tactics."

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.

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State Sen. Orr: Gambling push 'sucked all the oxygen out' of passing - 1819 News

Amongst NFL Owners, Dan Rooney was a giant. Art Rooney II probably took more after his grandfather. Art Rooney Sr. never had a successful team until the 1970s; however, he was a beloved City and NFL owner. It was Dan Rooney who built the team by hiring Chuck Noll. Art Rooney II arguably is no Dan Rooney. Since Art Rooney II took control of the team, he hardly seemed at the forefront of running the team. He stayed in the shadow of Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert.

That's no longer the case. Though it's been a while since assuming ownership, he seemed to have gotten fed up with the Steelers' lack of post-season success. So, he felt he needed to shake up the status quo, considering the Steelers valued tradition and have done things year in and year out in the same manner. Patrick Peterson and Darnell Washington found that out the hard way in their original jersey number requests.

Peterson wanted his number seven, and the Steelers said that that number was no longer in circulation. Darnell Washington wanted his college number 0. Steelers management responded by saying no, you get traditional jersey numbering like everyone before you. The Steelers always found free agents on the cheap, which worked because the Steelers still made the post-season regularly. They didn't fire assistant coaches mid-season, either.

Mr. Rooney's impatience with the team's lack of playoff success has led to a clear mandate for the Steelers. This season, it's no longer business as usual. Under Omar Khan's guidance, the team has shown dedication to fulfilling the owner's vision of a Steelers team back in the habit of winning in the playoffs. This renewed focus on success should inspire hope and optimism among Steelers fans.

Mr. Rooney's apparent need to break some ties with past traditions began late in 2023 when the Steelers suffered a humiliating loss to a rookie backup quarterback leading the Cleveland Browns. While theSteelersoffense remained stagnant the entire game, Enough was enough. Previously, firing an offensive coordinator mid-season seemed sacrilegious. Not anymore. The Steelers promptly fired Matt Canada the next day.

Mike Tomlin said he decided to do the deed, And Art Rooney II said it was his decision. As admirable as it is with the head coach and owner working in unison, Mr. Rooney has had a firm hand in showing Matt Canada the exit. Then came his statements at the end of the season when he said the Steelers needed to find new success in the post-season.Omar Khan has taken this mandate personally and is determined to fulfill Mr. Rooney's request in a way that upended Steelers normalcy.

Only Omar Khan could find a way to add players to the Steelers roster in the typical miserly Steelers fashion, being Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, while still giving Linebacker Patrick Queen a large contract that normally the Steelers do not do in free agency. Then, with his signing, even more tradition went out signing. Patrick Queen requested number 6. It's not a typical Steelers linebacker number they give out. The Steelers agreed all the same. Whereas Darnell Washington didn't get his way, Patrick Queen did, so much for business as usual.

Then Omar Khan wasted no time sending Kenney Pickett packing after only two seasons. Granted, he didn't sound like a team sport in the end, but it was a statement that the Steelers will follow through, implement Mr. Rooney's mandate, and do everything necessary to win in the playoffs.

If these changes work, then he comes out the winner in that he made the Steelers' General Manager and head coach make the tough decisions needed to transform the team. If they fail, then some may question whether Mr. Rooney decided to take things a little too far to try to win another championship. Yet fans do need to feel excited about the direction things are headed.

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Art Rooney II gambling his reputation that change will result in Steelers success - Still Curtain

Some people like to sweat out a bet for 9 hard innings others like immediate satisfaction. Count us as being in the latter, which is why we like to get down with MLB NRFI and YRFI picks. And weve decided to pass that knowledge on to you with our NRFI bets for May 13. Go here for MLB World Series odds.

Of course, there are plenty out there taking blind guesses at this stuff. Its easy to pick the best hitting team or look at what happened in the last game. However, we spent the time pouring through the analytics to make sure that we give you the best odds to stay in the green on these NRFI and YRFI props for May 13. Come check out what we have cooked up for this slate of games.

CHECK OUT THE SPORTS GAMBLING PODCASTS DAILY BEST BETS

First Pitch 7:20 pm EST Truist Park Atlanta, Georgia Broadcast MLB TV

The Braves are one of the very best teams in the league in scoring runs (currently 5th with over 5 runs per game). However, most of that is coming late in the game. In fact, they have more runs in the 8th inning or later than any team in the majors leaving them just middle of the pack when it comes to first inning scoring. Shota Imanagas 1.08 ERA likely isnt going to help matters on Monday, either.

On the other side of things, the Cubs have also been a top-10 team in terms of run-scoring. Unlike the Braves, they have also been fantastic in the first inning. So why is it that Im riding with the NRFI in this one? The answer is simple: Reynaldo Lopez. Just once this year has he allowed more than one earned run in a game. That game was a three-run outing against the Mariners that jumped his ERA all the way up to 1.53.

NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 13: No (-130)

First Pitch 9:45 pm EST Oracle Park San Francisco, California Broadcast MLB TV

The Giants have been one of the very worst teams in the league at scoring in the first inning. Theyre averaging just 0.37 runs per game in the first, which puts them in 25th place in the league. Theyll also be down a couple of outfielders starting tomorrow. Jung Hoo Lee dislocated his shoulder and Michael Conforto is headed to the IL as well. Those things should make it easier for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to get that NRFI for us.

The Dodgers are much better offensively in fact, they are the best team in the majors at scoring runs. However, Jordan Hicks has been lights out. Hes riding a 2.30 ERA and has only allowed a home run once this year, and that was to notorious free-swinger Joey Gallo. I like his chances to keep the Dodgers at bay while picking up a few early strikeouts.

NRFI/YRFI Bet for May 13: No (TBD)

If youd like even more info to help make your NRFI picks for May 13, check out the MLB Gambling Podcast. Theyre dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar with their MLB picks today.

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MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks - May 13 - SGPN