In 2018, the US Supreme Court rolled back the federal law restricting most states from legalizing sports betting. Since that monumental move, the country’s most prominent sports league, the NFL, has embraced gambling, using it as a platform to skyrocket viewership and revenue. However, with the new stream of revenue becoming robust for the NFL, it comes with its glaring problems.
On Thursday, NFL columnist Judt Battista revealed that players, coaches, and staff have experienced an increase in aggression and threats since the league began to encourage sports gambling. According to Battista, the NFL’s chief security officer, Cathy Lanier, is well aware of the ongoing situation many players have faced since the US Supreme Court allowed sports gambling legislation at the federal level.
NFL: Uptick in Threats for Players Regarding Sports Betting
In the era of social media and legalized sports betting, it’s easy to find disgruntled and angry NFL fans when their team or favorite player falls short of expectations. However, for every boatload of fans that go on a comedic rant, a select few wish violence upon a player and, unfortunately, their family.
Distressing: the NFL’s chief security officer Cathy Lanier says the league has seen a rise in the aggressiveness of threats directed at players, coaches and staff related to sports gambling.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) August 22, 2024
According to Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier, the league has seen an increase in the “aggressiveness of threats directed at players, coaches, and staff related to sports gambling.” Many players, including former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison, have shared disgusting and potentially life-threatening DMs they have received from fans following a poor performance.
NFL Players: Vocal on Legalized Sports Betting
For most of the 21st century, the NFL largely avoided Las Vegas, Nevada, historically known for its entertainment, nightlife, and gambling. Fast forward to 2024, and the then-Oakland Raiders moved to Las Vegas; the league hosted a Super Bowl in Sin City last season, and the NFL is all in on sports betting, partnering with many Las Vegas-based sports books.
According to a recently published article by Bloomberg, players have become worried about the fallout regarding poor performance. With the massive boom in fantasy football and sports gambling, players have become the target of angry and irrational fans following a poor performance. “When you used to lose, you would hear about it because of a fan’s loyalty to the team. They want to win. Now you hear about it because they’re losing their money because of you,” Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff said last year regarding the dawn of legalized sports gambling in 2018.
Players Suspended For Gambling
Although the NFL has strived to educate its players on the ramifications and punishments for gambling on sports, the league has handed out multiple suspensions for sports betting-related issues over the years. The first player to get popped for sports gambling after its legalization in 2018 was then-Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw for gambling on games during the 2019 campaign. More notably, current Jacksonville Jaguars star Calvin Ridley earned himself a year-suspension in 2022 while gambling during his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.
In 2023, the league suspended Detroit wide receiver Quintez Cephus, Detroit safety C.J. Moore, and Washington defensive end Shaka Toney indefinitely while giving 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams a six-game ban.
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