It's hard to avoid autographs, fan jeers, and messages. A FanDuel Sportsbook sign hangs behind the basketball hoop at some Memphis Grizzlies games. FanDuel, along with DraftKings, is a joint sports betting partner of the NBA.
Players are often reminded during games of certain statistical goals that gambling fans want them to achieve. As the topic of sports betting grows, players talk about the pros and cons from their own perspective.
In Memphis, Grizzlies players heard fans calling for them to “make one more 3-pointer” and “don't grab any more rebounds,” but they didn't care.
“I don't care,” guard Desmond Bane said. “I think it's bringing in other ways to make money around gaming. Everyone's going to have an opinion. There are some guys who value those opinions and listen to them. They're just not that type of person. Yo.”
Sports betting has been legalized in many states, including Tennessee, and is more popular than ever. Leagues like the NBA partner with sportsbooks. Although the business is financially successful, NBA players are in the position of having to deal with this new passion from fans.
The Grizzlies (25-50) may not have won all that much this season, but a lot of sports betting has little to do with that. The statistical evidence that players are under or over certain numbers in points, rebounds and other categories has sparked widespread debate about the morality of the NBA partnering with sportsbooks.
NBA players P.J. Tucker and Michael Porter Jr. spoke about the downside of sports betting's growth. Tucker called it “ridiculous,” and Porter pointed out the reality of letting someone down every night, no matter how a player performs.
Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. said, “People scream far crazier things than anything about betting, so it doesn't really matter.” “You play in hundreds of arenas, but you kind of tweak it. It's just fun to go back and forth.”
The league is currently investigating Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter due to multiple gambling fraud incidents over the past few months. Multiple NFL players have been suspended for gambling within the past year, and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani held a press conference on March 25 to address the stigma of a gambling scandal involving his then-translator. Cleared up.
The conversation extends beyond the players. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has had what he calls “conversations” with college and professional coaches on this topic. Darko Radjakovic, who currently coaches the Raptors, was an assistant to Jenkins and the Grizzlies last season.
Jenkins understands that sports betting will survive because of business. He praised the NBA for carefully vetting sportsbooks in the process of developing the partnership, but protecting the integrity of the game is now as important as ever.
“Hearing some examples certainly raises concerns,” Jenkins said. “Fortunately, I avoid that kind of thing. I don't have that part of me. When my colleagues are dealing with what's going on in their world and in their lives, it's a lot more research.” and digestion is required.”
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