New Jersey, Sports Gambling, and the Future of American Sport

(Hat-Tip to Brian Tuohy.)

One of the biggest stories which is going to come out this fall is about the legalization of sports gambling beyond the four states in which the Federal government has currently grandfathered.

New Jersey, and it's Governor Chris Christie, are fighting the Federal government (and the major sports leagues!) in court over the legalization of sports gambling.

Why is this so important?  Brian Tuohy reports:

"Defending PASPA [The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act -- the law prohibiting legalized sports gambling except in the four states grandfathered] is the four major leagues and the NCAA, and oddly these private entities are suing to enforce a federal law--an act usually left to the federal government to do."

Now why would the NCAA do this, if billions were being legally gambled on their sports in the states grandfathered?

"The leagues' argument is predicated on one main point: legalized sports gambling threatens the character and integrity of sports."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Oh my God, they didn't just go there, did they?

Why is sports gambling legally allowed at all, under those circumstances?

There's an easy answer:  Read Dan Moldea's Interference for the environment which was in place in the formative years of the National Football League.  You'd have regional illegal books with The Mafia -- many of whom with tentacles in the leagues and players themselves.

But here's the true reason why the NCAA, nor the pro leagues, want this to go down:

"What the leagues fear is the potential oversight that comes with the fall of this national prohibition. Thoroughbred racing has state-run committees that monitor wagering as well as investigate potential corruption within the sport. This includes abuse of the animals and race fixing.

The NFL, MLB, et al. do not want to see similar oversight come to their respective sport. Such an action would limit the effectiveness of each leagues' commissioner. Imagine the government being allowed to rule on the length of suspensions for players who break either league rules or the law."

You'd get a National Sports Commission.  There'd be so many people wanting oversight into the contests that it would happen.

The last thing that the leagues want is an over-reaching power to step in on collegiate and professional sports.

Such a body would've almost certainly shut down at least the Penn State football program, if not their entire athletic program.  That's money out of the NCAA's pocket.

Such a body MIGHT well have closed down the New Orleans Saints under RICO-like discussions.  That's eight fewer games for the NFL.

Such a body MIGHT well have a continued investigation going as to whether BALCO and similar area constructs have infiltrated the San Francisco Giants, even to this day.  (Which see Melky Cabrera and his 50-game suspension.)

Such a body almost certainly would've forfeited this year's All-Star Game (and World Series home-field advantage -- if such a body didn't just use this opportunity to nullify "This Time, It Counts!") to the American League for Cabrera's (the game's MVP) involvement, given the time-frame of the drug test.

And this is stuff that the sports leagues do not want.  Why?

Because they lose profits and the ability to control the outcomes of games for political, financial, and other gain.

Period.

That's why they're challenging this law.