and there is so much betting that its inevitable that there will be a point shaving scandal either in the NCAAs or the League.

>and there is so much betting that its inevitable that there
>will be a point shaving scandal either in the NCAAs or the
>League.

After listening to the Whistleblower podcast, I'm pretty convinced that it's still not that hard for NBA refs to do. In college it's probably even easier.

There's so many more games and less viewers per game that it would be easier to get away with small point shaving from refs.


>After listening to the Whistleblower podcast, I'm pretty
>convinced that it's still not that hard for NBA refs to do. In
>college it's probably even easier.
>
>
>

make the same type of bet, etc. and don't go too hard on any one bet to set off flags, it seems utterly doable.

There are so many types of bets a ref could influence for a single game
basic betting line
over under
over under for individual pts for a player
probably a ton i'm not thinking of too

It's as easy as a couple of foul calls here or there - I think tim donaghy made the point that you don't actually really have to make up foul calls either, it's more a matter of how strictly you enforce the letter of the law on certain plays.

Every sponsor and a good portion of the commercials in the DMV are from gambling sites now.

I am not judging gambling. I just dont want to hear about it all the time.

-----------------
District of Champions
2019 Nationals
2019 Mystics
2018 Capitals

this one falls under annoyance - but so many more sports heads are popping up talking about sports from a gambling perspective. It's creeping more and more into regular sports coverage. There's a lot of loud wrong guys out there being presented as 'experts'. That being said, there's still lots of programming out there for people just interested in following sports and learning about the game, so this isn't a huge issue.

From a journalism standpoint, it *could* make sporting news sites and media outlets overlook or provide slanted coverage of potential gambling related scandals. The NBA was pretty quick to clean up the Donaghy mess as a 'rogue ref' issue and a lot of the media outlets covering the NBA were all too happy to go along with that narrative so as to not damage their relationship w/the NBA or hurt their own company's broadcasting products. That might not be a unique issue to gambling sites/sports journalism, but it creates a weird dynamic.

I think most of it just an annoying creep in gambling coverage at this point.

>and there is so much betting that its inevitable that there
>will be a point shaving scandal either in the NCAAs or the
>League.

The slant towards drama and other negativity seems to be well on its way to ruining it without something like this. We’re to the point now where winning gets you a bunch of coverage to set up the takedown the next time you don’t win. Or if you start winning a lot, it’s time to bring up some old mfer from a different era who won more, lost less, and/or was more well-liked during their time in the sun. This has been a thing for at least like 30 years and I find it horrible now that I notice it happening a lot...especially in the blog/podcast universe. It creates a world where folks crave negativity more than they crave good games, good players, or just a healthy sport with good players on their way up.

The media, and as a result a lot of fans, like to build up players just to tear them down. And of course, there's the RINGZ arguments that are anti-intellectual in a lot of ways.

It's a shame that the media doesn't celebrate the artistry and genius and discipline it takes to be a professional athlete. We all watch highlights all the time so we're numbed to how great these athletes are.

Since this shit is all a game, it would make more sense to stop being righteous and just enjoy the play.

going back to when the MOB was controlling certain athletes.

So point shaving isn’t anything new. And it’s definitely still happening.

And gambling and sports journalism isn’t anything new either. Back in the
80s , Jimmy “the Greek” had a weekly segment with CBS’s NFL pregame
show, where he would discuss the odds and spread for each NFL game.

I agree with you that it is becoming more pronounced, because more
tv networks are doing it or have shows that are focused on sports
gambling information since states have legalized sports gambling.

Vegas line setters are the ones who know the most about the analytics, know the most about matchups, know the most about trends and injury impact. They overreact the *least* to small sample sizes. They understand the most how variance impacts the sports, and how wins and losses are not necessarily indicative of a team's actual strength of performance on the whole. The best sports podcasts on the whole tend to be the ones who don't predict heads up wins and losses, but instead predict performance against the spread. I find those host far more nuanced conversation than the ones that spend thirty minutes on what LaVar Ball said this week or if LeBron is the GOAT or not.

As an example, it drives me *crazy* when you see the 20th ranked team play the 12th ranked team at home, be a 3-4 point favorite, win the game, and hear everyone call it an "upset" afterward solely based on rankings-- which are set completely arbitrarily by a set of sports journalists who designate their rankings based on whatever personal preferences they have, some of which are borderline insane. It genuinely hurts a casual fan's ability to understand the game.

If more casual sports fans could understand the value of watching the game on a deeper level than "this team is ranked higher, so they should win," or "this guy is the star, so he needs to carry his team to victory, otherwise he's a loser," then the discourse would be a thousand times better. Any gambling-related shenanigans that go down will go down irrespective of gambling's legality.

(I also realize the Value Of Discourse is totally subjective, and many people would rather listen to the LaVar Ball/is Bron the GOAT stuff than listen to a nerdy, nuanced breakdown of game matchups. So this is completely just my own personal pet peeves pouring out here, lol.)

I don't gamble but that guy's perspective was really interesting every time out.


~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

For instance, Tatum's game against the Nets....analytics doesn't articulate the beauty of watching a player rise to the challenge against a team that on paper is far superior.

Are you really interested in the data of how many times Dr. J finished layups with his left hand off the glass?

Analytics as it is applied builds towards the stronger possibility of outcomes, but sports is about narratives. And then you throw in the gambling part, where you have columnists whose job is to simply tell you about how the Nuggets are minus 7 for the year when Will Barton is on the floor for more than 22 minutes, so don't draft him for your your fantasy leagues and he's starting tonight so don't bet on Denver over OKC. Where is the narrative in that? It's soul-less, mechanized content, a far cry from the magic that a Ralph Wiley or Dr. Z spun on pages. The writing is shit, and the content is shit. There is nothing entertaining about reading a "TPS" report every day about the NBA, and that is what gambling reduces sport to...

And I'd argue that narratives, while fun, can detract from the reality of what's transpiring on the court/field sometimes.

So yeah, I think we just won't see eye to eye on this. I don't find journalists citing statistics to be boring at all. I find it contributes to actually well-informed and thoughtful journalism.

https://news.yahoo.com/espn-declines-whether-adam-schefter-174020972.html


Mike Florio
Thu, September 23, 2021, 1:40 PM
In this article:

Adam Schefter
American sportswriter and television analyst
Buried in a story about the Disney/ESPN embrace of gambling resides news that one of ESPN’s top information gatherers now owns a piece of a gambling company.

Via Timothy L. O’Brien of Bloomberg.com, Adam Schefter recently invested in Boom Entertainment. It makes sports and casino gambling apps, and it also is developing “real money gaming products.”

The situation gives rise to multiple questions, starting with the fact that one of the other investors in Boom Entertainment is Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Others in the media already are asking whether and to what extent this business relationship will impact Schefter’s coverage of the Patriots.

In our view, that’s not a huge issue. For nearly 20 years, the NFL has hired reporters who cover the league and its teams, a clear conflict of interest with which few seem to be troubled. Also, Schefter rarely articulates strong opinions, primarily because that can impede the flow of text messages from a broad network of sources who provide him with a head’s up on looming transactions five minutes or so before they’re officially announced. That’s his thing, telling us information we’re about to find out about anyway through official tweet, email, or press release. Rarely (but not never) he reports something that wouldn’t otherwise be revealed in due course, if not a lot sooner.

The other problem comes from the tentacles connecting his work to gambling. As explained (articulately and effectively) by O’Brien: “Schefter’s stock in trade are football scoops such as new contracts, trades, injuries, starting line-ups and the other gossipy stuff that gives viewers a sense of who’s up or down, and who might win or lose. That information is also valuable to gamblers — or anyone who might own, say, a sizeable stake in a newfangled gambling company interested in digital sports betting. Viewers, and Schefter’s 8.5 million Twitter followers, might end up wondering whether he will shade his opinions or bury important information if he directly or indirectly has money riding on games and athletes.”

O’Brien reports that ESPN declined to say whether it has a policy that outlines “ethically acceptable investments” for employees, or whether Schefter’s investment complies with any such policy. ESPN likewise declined to comment on whether “any social or business lines are getting crossed” as the lines between sports, media, and gambling blur toward obliteration.

Four years ago, Schefter accepted a spot on the advisory board of Don Yee’s Pacific Pro Football League. After questions emerged about a potential conflict of interest (Yee’s clients include Tom Brady), Schefter stepped down — even though ESPN said that his involvement violated no company policies.

And so it makes sense to see whether the next development in this story involves ESPN or Schefter issuing a statement that he has cashed in his investment in Boom Entertainment. Some would say that Schefter’s smartest move would be to divest his interest in the company before, yes, Boom goes the dynamite.

ESPN declines to say whether Adam Schefter’s investment in gambling firm violates company policy originally appeared on Pro Football Talk

legal in foreign countries since forever, and 50 percent of the soccer clubs
in the EPL are sponsored by gambling companies.

However, their sports shows don’t comment on odds or spreads, or give their
opinions on who the public should place a wager on. They focus on providing
good sports journalism, and they don’t allow gambling information to seep into
their sports coverage.

So, yeah, I can see why this is a problem, and it is definitely a conflict of interest.
Not only does he have access to talk to players and teams regarding games,
strategies, and player availability, which would give him a gambling advantage
over the public, he could use that information to sway or influence the public to
bet a specific way.

Not too complicated.

I was going to ask about the journalism but I think going soft on scandals is the obvious example.

but there is a reason injury reports and betting lines have been in newspapers for ages

its not for shits and giggles.

https://sports.yahoo.com/bad-beats-app-state-purposely-doesnt-score-late-against-marshall-and-fails-to-cover-the-spread-135535634.html

https://sports.yahoo.com/cavs-hc-jb-bickerstaff-reveals-personal-threats-from-gamblers-says-sports-betting-has-gone-too-far-023345598.html


There's no shortage of sports betting horror stories these days.

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff added to the list Wednesday night when he revealed he was forced to report to the NBA threats he received from gamblers last season.

“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff told reporters before the Cavaliers fell 107-104 to the Miami Heat. “So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”

Bickerstaff added that the individual was found but no charges were pressed against him.

His comments were made in response to a question referencing Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton's recent admission of sometimes feeling he is seen as nothing more than a betting "prop." The 24-year-old was discussing the importance of speaking to a sports psychologist as an athlete who often receives messages on social media regarding his performance from sports bettors.

"Not everybody cares to hear how we feel," he said. "To half the world, I’m just helping them make money on DraftKings or whatever."


The league needs to work to protect referees, players and other personnel from the distraction sports betting can cause, Bickerstaff said. His mention of NBA officials came after Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert said gambling is “hurting our game” following a road loss to Cleveland on March 8. Gobert implied gambling influenced referees during the game, which saw him draw a costly technical for making a money gesture toward an official.

Bickerstaff seems to agree with the general sentiment, which is that sports betting is becoming too enmeshed in sports for comfort.

"We really have to be careful of how close we let it get to the game and the people who are involved in it," he said. "Because again, it does carry a weight. A lot of times the people who are gambling like this money pays their light bill or pay their rent, and then the emotions that come from that."

Cleveland has a sportsbook inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the arena that hosts the Cavaliers, which allows fans to gamble live.

“There’s no doubt about it that it’s crossed the line,” Bickerstaff said. “The amount of times where I’m standing up there and we may have a 10-point lead and the spread is 11 and people are yelling at me to leave the guys in so that we can cover the spread, it’s ridiculous."

Meanwhile, media reports of serious gambling issues in sports seem to keep surfacing. On the same day that Bickerstaff made his comments, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani's interpreter was reportedly fired for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from the two-way phenom to place bets.

Last week in the NFL, a former Jacksonville Jaguars employee was sentenced to more than six years in prison for a $22 million embezzlement scheme he pursued while with the team from 2018-2023. The employee's attorney claimed that the embezzled money was used to finance a gambling addiction.

The money faucet is flowing. No one's really trying to turn that shit off.

I don't want to think about what would have to happen for the leagues to separate themselves from the gambling companies

why is there an injury report every week?

its not se we can send get well cards

feels like there's no escaping it

every google ad, Luke Kueckly advertising, every radio ad..

its ridiculous.

what really makes it funky is local sports radio has been promoting gambling for years down here. They even have gambling dudes who do interviews once a week on the best lines to bet on.

So shit been heavy for years..

How hard would it be to slightly adjust NBA outcomes with missed calls in this era?

I’ll never forget the 11-10 win by the Steelers where Troy scored on the final
play and they reversed the TD.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39808900/nba-eyes-raptors-jontay-porter-betting-issues

Sources: NBA eyes Raptors' Jontay Porter for betting issues

David Purdum, Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski
Mar 25, 2024, 06:14 PM ET

Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter is under investigation by the NBA following multiple instances of betting irregularities over the past several months, multiple sources told ESPN on Monday.

At issue are prop bets involving Porter from games on Jan. 26 and March 20, multiple sources told ESPN. An NBA spokesman told ESPN that the league is "looking into it."

In the game on Jan. 26 against the LA Clippers, there was increased betting interest on the under for Porter props, which for the night were set at around 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. There was also an over/under for Porter's made 3-pointers, which was 0.5.

That evening, Porter played just four minutes before leaving the game because of what the Raptors said was an aggravation of an eye injury he had suffered four days earlier against the Memphis Grizzlies. Porter did not score against the Clippers but had three rebounds and one assist, and he did not attempt a 3, meaning the under hit on all of the props.

The next day, as part of a daily report to users on betting results, DraftKings Sportsbook stated that the under on Porter's 3-pointers was the biggest money winner for bettors of any NBA player props from games that evening.

Porter played 19 minutes two days later and scored 12 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

On March 20 against the Sacramento Kings, Porter played just three minutes before exiting because of what the Raptors said was an illness and did not return. He did not score after attempting one shot and had two rebounds.

Sportsbooks had his over/unders set at around 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.

The next day, DraftKings Sportsbook reported in a media release that Porter's prop bets were the No. 1 moneymaker from the night in the NBA.

At least one other U.S. sportsbook detected unusual betting interest on the Porter props in the games in question. A sportsbook industry source told ESPN that multiple betting accounts attempted to bet large amounts, upward of $10,000 and $20,000, on Porter unders in the January game against the Clippers. Betting limits on NBA player props vary by sportsbook and customer but are typically around $1,000 to $2,000.

"People were trying to do whatever they could to bet Jontay Porter props ," the source said. "And then, just a few days ago, the same thing. We had a bunch of people trying to bet under for more."

Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., is on a two-way contract with the Raptors earning $415,000 this season.

He missed the Raptors' game on Saturday against the Washington Wizards for personal reasons, according to the team. He was also out for Monday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets for personal reasons.

Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said he became aware of the investigation shortly before Monday night's game.

"I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honesty from players," Rajaković said. "Obviously, I've never had a situation like this before."

He added that he had not discussed the matter with his team.

"I don't know their reaction," Rajaković said. "I just know nobody wants those kind of situations to happen to anybody, to any team. We've just got to deal with it."

NBA players, along with all league employees, are prohibited from betting on any NBA events, including prop bets. Violations of the policy could include fines, suspensions and possible termination of contracts, among other actions.

Sports betting is monitored by dedicated personnel from each NBA team, and the league has a team of data scientists focused on sports betting anomalies and possible integrity issues and also works with third-party integrity monitors.

Porter made his NBA debut in 2021, playing 11 games with the Grizzlies. In college at Missouri, he tore an ACL before his sophomore season and tore it again and an MCL while rehabbing in early 2019. He went undrafted and didn't play in the NBA over the previous two seasons. He signed with the Raptors in December.

Porter has played in 26 games this season, averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 14 minutes a game.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

.

ftfy

lack of all the goofy adds all over the ESPN app, integration with Apple TV, etc. But when you look at a game, the FIRST thing at the top after the score itself is the betting odds/moneyline/spread. Before the box score, play by play, stats, etc. On all sports that I've checked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wCSAf7_Sw

Shout out to Eze Jackson for the barz