Casinos, Arm-Wrestling, and the NFL

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...-policy-tested-arm-wrestling-event/100206930/

What happens in Vegas ... NFL gambling policy tested by arm-wrestling event
Jarrett Bell , USA TODAY Sports

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Nearly three dozen NFL players are in Las Vegas this weekend for a competition that classically captures the macho spirit of football: Arm wrestling.

Dubbed the inaugural “Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship” — with heavyweight and light heavyweight crowns in play — it’s a made-for-TV deal, to air on CBS over two weekends later this spring.

But arm wrestlers beware. Roger Goodell and Co, lurk for a strong-arm takedown.

That the event is being staged at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has captured the attention of the suits at NFL headquarters on Park Avenue. The NFL’s gambling policy, of course, prohibits players from appearing at casinos as part of promotional events.

According to the NFL, players participating in this specific event — without pre-approval — are in violation of the gambling policy and subject to discipline.

“Had we been asked in advance if this was acceptable, we would have indicated that it was in direct violation of the gambling policy,” Joe Lockhart, the NFL’s executive vice president for communications and public affairs, told USA TODAY Sports. “No one sought pre-approval.”

Uh-oh.

With discipline perhaps coming in the form of a fine, the stage may be set for another skirmish between flamboyant Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and his friends in New York.

Harrison, a vocal critic of Goodell who has had a series of differences with the NFL over a range of issues, is coaching one of the teams in the event. His counterpart is Marshawn Lynch, the free-spirited running back who received permission from the Seattle Seahawks this week to visit the Oakland Raiders as he contemplates coming out of retirement.

Other notable participants: Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, Raiders punter Marquette King and defensive end Mario Edwards, and New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung.

And what event at a casino would be complete without the presence of a guy nicknamed, “Lucky,” as in Dallas Cowboys receiver Lucky Whitehead.

“This is great exposure for all involved,” said Alan Brickman, co-owner of the California-based company, Encinal Entertainment, that is putting on the show.

In addition to funneling half of the $100,000 in first-place prize money to charity, with the Give Back Foundation charged to support foundations in the players’ names, Brickman sells the TV package as a chance “to get to know the players behind the scenes.”

Interestingly, Brickman disputes the contention that pre-approval wasn’t sought from the NFL. He told USA TODAY Sports that, beginning in January, he engaged with two different departments within the league and tried to strike a deal to include the NFL as a partner with the event.

Obviously, the NFL didn’t sign up. Yet Brickman maintains that during communication with the league, guidelines were suggested that included showing no images during the broadcast of any gambling-related activities or any alcohol. He said the power was turned off on gambling machines in the vicinity of the events being taped.

“With a team coming here, I’m sure they’re branding it as a family destination,” Brickman said from Las Vegas on Friday night.

In the big picture, the arm wrestling event is a fresh test of the mettle of the NFL’s gambling policy.

Remember, two years ago the league essentially shut down a fantasy football convention that was connected to then-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, warning players of fines and/or suspensions if they participated in the event in Las Vegas that wasn’t even to be actually held at a casino — although it was to be staged at a venue owned by a casino, Sands.

It would have been consistent with the Romo case for the NFL to try to squash the arm wrestling, too. But apparently, there was some communication breakdown as league officials insist that they were unaware of the event until the middle of this week.

In any event, as it stands now, even with the Oakland Raiders formally approved last month for a move to Las Vegas in 2020, the NFL is hardly relaxing a gambling policy that prohibits association with casinos or other gambling establishments.

“We did not change any of our gambling policies in the context of the Raiders relocation,” Goodell said in late March, as the NFL owners meetings wrapped up in Phoenix. “It wasn’t necessary and the Raiders didn’t ask us to do that. We don’t see changing our current policies.”

The NFL has a long history of opposing gambling, particularly sports books, which is why any association with casinos is frowned upon. Yet there’s seemingly a much grayer area in play now, with the Raiders headed to Las Vegas.

A few years ago, the NFL would have never dreamed of putting franchise in the gambling capital of the USA. But times change, and the Raiders move is fueled by the type of cash that always gets the NFL’s attention — $750 million in public funds to build a stadium.

As the Raiders situation progressed, several NFL owners told me that they were not concerned about gambling influences in Las Vegas, given how technology and the spread of casinos has many teams in proximity to such establishments. The league, after all, stages games in London, which has casinos.

Las Vegas, though, is gambling on steroids, so to speak. Moving into a market where gambling is the major industry could force the NFL to constantly re-establish its resolve against such a backdrop.

As Goodell acknowledged, “That is a major risk for us. We have to make sure that we continue to stay focused on making sure that everyone has full confidence that what you see on the field is not influenced by any outside factors. That is our No. 1 concern. That goes to what I consider the integrity of the game. We will not relent on that.”

It might be a stretch to associate an event such as the arm wrestling competition as a threat to the integrity of NFL games, but this is about optics.

Yet with the NFL planting a flag in Las Vegas, there will surely be more events like the arm wrestling championships at casinos and related properties, looking to connect with the NFL.

For example, shortly after the Raiders move was approved, a Nevada brothel owner revealed a plan to open a Raiders-themed brothel. That prompted a question to Goodell about whether special policies will be needed for the Raiders in Las Vegas. He seemed to have an open mind. Sort of.

“We have policies in place now and obviously we’ll continue to evaluate those policies,” he said. “If we think something specific needs to be done in Las Vegas, or any changes to our policy, we obviously retain the right to do that. We will continue to look at that.”

In other words, what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas. It resonates on Park Avenue, too.
 

rdw

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exclusive footage of the first match... no wonder the NFL wants to part in this
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LesBaker

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Not to bright of them to decide not to check with the league office.
 

bubbaramfan

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Such hypocrits. NFL owners are the predominant shareholders ( 85%), of Fanduel and DraftKing fantasy football. Some argue its not Gambling, but twist it any way you wan,t when you put down money to make money and risk losing it, that's gamlbling, and the NFL owners are making Millions on people losing on their wagers.
 

jrry32

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Stuff like this really makes me dislike the NFL. You're moving a team to Vegas to make a profit, but you have the audacity to fine players for taking part in an event in a casino in Vegas for charity? Get the fuck out of here.
 

PressureD41

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Tearing bi-ceps/tri-ceps, ya this is a great idea :sick: :giveup:
 

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...t-in-vegas-arm-wrestling-event-will-be-fined/

Players who took part in Vegas arm wrestling event will be fined
Posted by Josh Alper on April 10, 2017

A group of NFL players who took part in an arm wrestling event in Las Vegas over the weekend will be disciplined by the NFL.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the players will be fined for violating the league’s policy barring players from taking part in events held at casinos. NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart told Jarrett Bell of USA Today that no one from the event, which was taped for later broadcast on CBS, asked for permission but organizers disputed that account.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, 49ers linebacker Navorro Bowman, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, Raiders punter Marquette King, Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards, Patriots safety Patrick Chung, and Cowboys receiver Lucky Whitehead took part in the event.

Marshawn Lynch was also a participant and appears poised to join the Raiders for the 2017 season, but Rapoport reports that his current spot on the reserve/retired list will allow him to avoid a fine.

The league’s policies on gambling and promotions involving casinos are sure to come under further scrutiny in the next few years as the Raiders prepare to make Las Vegas their home. For now, though, the players have found themselves on the wrong side of the league’s disciplinary department.