I hate not being able to trust that the competition in the NBA is totally legitimate. I get the appeal, but gambling corrupts sports, bottom line. I know fixing and point shaving is not exactly a new thing—the Black Sox were 100 years ago—but the fact that the leagues are all of a sudden so eager to jump in bed with bookies is depressing. The NBA is slowly becoming FIFA. People used to give a **** about boxing, too. The thoughtless greed is remarkable. Trying to kill that golden goose to get all the eggs.
Sorry, yeah, I understand and I know the NBA and other leagues have been talking about taking a cut. I just don't get why casinos would want to do it - it seems like they can just keep doing what they have been doing all this time and keep that money for themselves.
Yea maybe the value is that they get more bettors in on NBA games with a sponsorship deal? "Hey there out of Towner how about laying down a $20 or two on the Grizzlies tonight at Golden State? The NBA approves of this!"
I am not a gambler and I hate betting so I don't know how things work very well in that area, However from what I have read, what they are planning to do is first allow arena betting during the games, and then online betting like here in Europe. You don't have to bet in casinos or in Vegas. And they already are planning to take a commision on these legal bets as taxes. I may be wrong but that's how I understand their plans. Also I don't think that even if the NBPA gets these commisions it will help battle corruption. Maybe with some refs who aren't paid much but with players who are already paid millions even if they are lowly paid by nba standards? Many of them are used to a lavish lifestyle and when it's time to retire they aren't even financially settled, And in contrast to football, the effect a starter or a 6th man, can have on a game is much bigger.
glad i chose this year to stop watching the nba. makes me feel better not supporting a corrupt association. the league will only get worse with silver at the helm. also, tilllman is cheap.
Should be familiar and an easy transition. Tim Donaghy is set to make his return to officiating. Though he remains persona non grata anywhere near the National Basketball Association, Donaghy has agreed to appear as a referee for the Major League Wrestling promotion. “Pro wrestling is entertainment, and I always joked the NBA was a form of entertainment and I compared it a little bit to pro wrestling behind the scenes,” says Donaghy, who will be donning the striped official’s jersey for the first time since 2007. “When I was growing up, I always enjoyed pro wrestling, guys like Hulk Hogan and Ivan Putski. I thought it would be fun to get involved and see where it goes.” The creative push for Donaghy to appear in the squared circle is the idea of MLW COO Jared St. Laurent. MLW’s tapings are currently underway, set for an early November return on the Fubo Sports Network, beIN Sports and on-demand through DAZN. The current plan, Sports Illustrated has learned, is to introduce Donaghy in a storyline that sees him serve as the personal referee for Richard Holliday’s upcoming slate of matches. Holliday is one of MLW’s emerging stars, and the added exposure has the potential to significantly increase his position within the company. For Donaghy, whose name has recently resurfaced due to the Whistleblower podcast series, the appearance in MLW—with the potential for more depending on the response—offers a chance for success in a new field that still offers some connective tissue to his old line of work. “If there is a good response, who knows where it can go from here,” Donaghy says. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to make the show entertaining and fun for everyone watching, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
