As we’ve heard already, Falcons’ Wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended by Roger Goodell for NFL betting. Ridley, a player on the Falcons’ roster was said to have betted on an NFL game during a period where he was not accompanying the team but on the team’s non-football illness list, according to statement by Roger Goodell.
Ridley, released a statement, via social media, stating that he only betted $1500 and that he didn’t have a problem.
This, however, brings up the question: Should players be allowed to bet on their teams? or other teams for cash?
Let’s do a soft argument for both sides. Then, I’ll choose my side.
Active roster players should be allowed to bet on their sports
This is no longer the 80’s or 90’s and active players should have the right to bet on thier sports. The betting industry is now bringing upwards of 52 billion dollars a year. It’s unfair that players who put their bodies on the line aren’t able to access even a piece of that industry. There are tons of beneficiaries of sports betting and yet players can’t be one of them?
A proposal, through strict regulation players could perhaps bet on teams and games that aren’t in their conference. Strict regulations would allow them to access the betting industry and not actually bet on games that they have control or impact on.
Active roster players should not be allowed to bet on their sports.
Players betting on their sports would be lead to corruption and lack of integrity in the sport. Players could conspire to lose games to fill their personal bets. This would ruin the sport and soon after, fans would immediately depart. No longer would fans support players who would selfishly shift the direction of the franchise to line their bets. Championships would hold no value and the Super Bowl would be less entertaining than your kids’ school play.
What I say.
I don’t think players should bet on football in that the betting would be a pathway to the end of the NFL. With many of the statements against betting that I’ve said already mentioned, imagine your favorite player letting up and losing for financial gain. Knowledge of this would steer you away from the NFL faster than a water Buffalo on a sober night (insider). Gambling in itself is dangerous. Many people have risked it all and have lost it all betting on sports.
Players who don’t have the biggest salaries would sell insider information or restrict their effort for financial game. The motto of “The best team will win” would be drowned out of the chatter of parlays. In fact, I hate that the NFL has a team in Los Vegas, the epicenter of gambling.
Ultimately, it would ruin the integrity of the sport and become a free for all for the highest wager.
What do you think? should players be allowed to place bets on their teams or others?
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