how shady or legit is the NFL ?

[Crying Ramtard]

http://spaces.covers.com/blog/Maximu...or-Profit.html

http://thefixisin.net/nfl.html

I'm not betting my farm on how true this is but it makes a lot of sense to me. The NFL is an entertainment business and can bend a games outcome when they so choose.

So during a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Diego Chargers the Steelers were favored by 3. Nearly 70 percent of the betting public was on Pittsburgh, with a reported $100 million in potential earnings. The score with less than a minute to go, 11-10 Pittsburgh and SD with the ball. After an errant lateral gets knocked away by Troy Polamalu, he scoops it and scores. The score is now 17-10, there is no time left, all teams head to the locker room, fans go to cash their tickets.

After several minutes of debate, the refs overturn the call, restoring a meaningless TD off the board making the final score 11-10, the Steelers win, the public loses. What I found to be most odd about it is the league's explanation of a "forward pass". The pass was ruled forward although it is obvious it was a backwards lateral. When I got home, I starting thinking that things were just to good to be true.

Sportscenter reported the money lost in Vegas and almost joked about it. They were literally laughing. So after this bad beat, I held around some serious thoughts about the legitimacy of pro football.

An opportunity came up in my graduate school where I was to write my project on any topic I was to choose. So I chose researching the "Showbiz manipulations of the NFL". I picked up several books including Dan Moldea's "Interference: How Organized Crimes Influence Professional Football", Brian Touhy's "The Fix Is In" , Roger L. Martins "Fixing the Game". I checked out several TV Marketing books from the college library and also several TV Business books.

I utilized my rights under the Freedom of Information Act passed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966 to access over 40 years of FBI files on the NFL although some information was redacted. Here's what I found:

.

Contrary to popular belief and to what he NFL wants you to think, there have been fixed games in league history. On page 308 of Dan Moldea's book "Interference" he lists over 70 NFL games that have been fixed and includes the names of the 2 referees involved in fixing those games. He also lists interviews with NFL HOF players most notably KC Chiefs QB Len Dawson. He, in detail with documented facts supported by FBI documents, has interviews with NFL players and known gambling associates to uncover massive game fixing in the league. He also notes, with evidence, throughout the book that no fewer than 26 NFL team owners have or have had continuous and developing relationships with the gambling world, most notably the Rooney, Bidwill, and Mara families all getting their starts as Bookmakers for established mid-west crime families and buying their NFL franchises with moneys earned from gambling. So that in and of itself is a hypocrisy number 1 on the NFL's "lilly white" reputation.

NFL Referees are part-time employees of the NFL. They are not employees of any team nor do they get paid anywhere close to the sums of NBA refs. NFL refs make between $25K to $70K per season. They work for the league and do what the league tells them to do. They are not there for "the integrity of the game". Referees, unlike other sports, are bound by NFL mandated gag orders which prevent them from talking to the media.

2. The NFL possesses an Anti-Trust Exemption to the law granted to it by President John F. Kennedy, which ultimately allows the NFL to classify itself as "entertainment" rather than sport, as well as incorporate itself as a single entity instead of the 32 separate "franchises" they would want you to believe. Contrary to the perception of the NFL being 32 separate franchises battling it out for gridiron supremacy. In a franchised environment, such as McDonalds (Business 101), each franchise is individually owned and operated and can participate in national promotions, have its own local promotions, or abstain from participating (hence the fine print in commercials saying "at participating locations".

This keeps the regionality of competition in tact without having to compete on a national level. MLB has this status, the NFL does not. Instead, since the NFL has this Anti-Trust exemption, it is able to package its teams in order to sell to national television companies, which today totals $6 Billion in revenue for the league. That is 75% of the leagues total annual revenue. In a 2004 lawsuit vs the NFL, the NFL attorney Gregg H. Levy argued that "the NFL is not a collection of 32 individual teams, but rather a single entity. And as long as the NFL teams are a unit, and they compete as a unit in the entertainment marketplace, then they should be deemed a single unit and not subject to any Anti-Trust laws."

There is only another "sports" organization that I can think of that follows this, the WWE. Levy also argued that the league markets its products and merchandise as a whole to promote the NFL as a whole. These arguments led all the way to lockout during the 2011 offseason. The league would still earn $5 Billion in revenue, even without a single game being played.

Professional sports is the only industry without ANY federal oversight. Therefore the league can do and go as they see fit, this is something the players were concerned about going into the lockout, the NFL players themselves sought help from US Congress asking for oversight of the NFL. And NFL players wanted an explanation as to why the NFL owners were granted an Anti-Trust exemption in the first place. They didn't get it.

The NFL proved in this lawsuit that they see themselves as a single unit in the "entertainment" industry and the unique league revenue sharing strategy is not common amongst professional sports leagues.

Robert Kraft and John Mara are two of the most business savvy and highly respected NFL owners. Kraft is in charge of the NFL TV broadcast committee and also leads all television negotiations for the NFL. Kraft also is on the board of directors for Viacom, the parent company of CBS, one of NFL's broadcasters. This past Spring, Robert Kraft negotiated a record TV deal for the NFL which will result in $24 Billion in revenue with CBS, FOX, ESPN and NBC. Kraft and Mara also brought both parties to the table and led all negotiations in ending the lockout.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank was interviewed saying "It is predetermined that these two teams would be here, I wish my team was selected to be in the Super Bowl one day, but these two gentlemen deserve it". And the Giants posted themselves as victors before the game, the NFL claimed it was "an overzealous employee".

The 49ers need a new stadium, with the same players as Mike Singletary, and a Alex Smith in a contract year, the 49ers post a 13-3 record and make it to the NFC Championship. But what they don't tell you is how the stadium deal is structured. 80% of the funding comes from Bank of America and US Bank. 20% financed by the State of California using tax dollars.

The 49ers have pledged to pay back the State in 5 seasons with help from revenue sharing from NFL owners. What better way to pay someone back quickly than with packed stadiums and extra playoff game revenue.

On MNF they found themselves in a blackout. Steelers safety Ryan Clark said "it was to show the league they need a new stadium and the 49ers caused the blackout". Why would he say this if shadiness wasn't common practice? You can view his opinions here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/9...off-his-rocker.

Ravens players complained that the 2007 Patriots were " being handed games by refs" in their quest for perfection. And I have over 40 years of information on NFL business dealings and how these owners "miraculously" found themselves holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Let's look at the 2011 season and see how television ratings connected with some of the league's most important games, and quickly view how the referees controlled games.

Week 1: NFL Announces ESPN will pay $1billion per game of MNF through the 2021 season. In a tribute to 9/11 20 million + viewers tuned in as the Jets mounted a magic 14 point comeback over the Cowboys. Number of penalties called the Jets = 0

Week 2: The NFL's rule changes make for a more exciting game as scoring is way up. Much like the AFL days of the 60's, 72% of the games went over the total and TV ratings are now through the roof. The league emphasises "the year of the QB".

Week 3: Packers vs Bears: The Bears return a punt return for a TD which would've ultimately allowed them to cover the spread. Instead a fantom holding call overturned the TD. It was the 10th penalty of the game for the Bears vs. 1 penalty for the Packers. You can see the play here: http://youtu.be/_w-pXfjbYHk

Week 6: The Beginning of the Tim Tebow Era. Tim Tebow has a HUGE, and I mean HUGE Christian following. The guy can't hit a barn, but a decent athlete. Yet as the third string QB he is thrust into the starting role and the team magically "changes the entire offense" in a matter of weeks to suit him? Tebow was the number 1 jersey seller for the league without even stepping foot on the field. It was time to make him a star and they did ripping off several "magical" victories with poultry statistics. These teams were handing them games. If you didn't notice this, all I need to say it two words : Marion Barber. All the while the NFL is forcing religion down our throats with God's quarterback.

Week 7: The Jags are close to a sale, the possible new owners just need one more hint of encouragement to prevent buyers remorse. In come the Ravens. After the Saints destruction of the Colts on SNF. Vegas was in trouble. ESPN was in trouble because no one was going to watch this snore fest. The Ravens didn't get a first down until late in the fourth quarter and the Jags win with 4 FG's. Sale complete, Vegas wins. You lose.

[Katipan]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

Correct,it may not substantiate anything but it does refute a few things.

I'll bow out now after one last thought,that article listed a few families that are still in control of the NFL franchises their gambling and ties to gambling relatives founded.I won't call anyone stupid for not believing and the like but when a league was built on gambling by gamblers and bookies I will never buy that 90 years later it has gotten less corrupt and or greedy.

Thanks again for being cordial to me in our discussion.

Because I know Mrs. Nz is a big fan, what about NASCAR?

Certainly they were founded by corrupt and greedy people.
My kind of corrupt and greedy people, but still...

[gosampel]

and like this is news dude it's all fix but you and your chiefsplanet buttheads will fig it out in 50 yrs

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by Katipan

Because I know Mrs. Nz is a big fan, what about NASCAR?

Certainly they were founded by corrupt and greedy people.
My kind of corrupt and greedy people, but still...

The only thing I know about NASCAR is that I don't like it and somewhere in its roots it's connected to moonshiners.

[ClevelandBronco]

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

successful lawyer

There's no such thing.

[Hootie]

I don't think the cardinals are going to make the playoffs, either. But I said that when Palmer went down and it has nothing to do with conspiracy. Seattle is just not going to lose another game.

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Jammarcus Russel is pretty broke these days. Im sure he would love to tell TMZ everything he knows......if he knew something.

Clearly the fix was in to ruin his career. Same with Ryan Leaf right?

Yeah, i guess THOSE players wouldn't have a reason to tell on the NFL, would they?

Who are they going to tell??

Anyone in the media works for a company owned by Viacom/Disney/Time Warner/etc.

It's. All. The. Same. Source.

Besides, both Russell and Ryan Leaf are dumb shits who can't find their car keys, they know nothing.

[rabblerouser]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...0NBC&utm_tags=

Love the comments below the article...

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

Since we're having a discussion thought you and some others might enjoy this article and how the league was founded.

http://lockerroompicks.com/nfl-longs...ship-gambling/


Publicly, the NFL is among the staunchest opponents to legalized gambling in the United States. Heck, the league famously refused an advertisement from the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Bureau for the Super Bowl, in an effort to appear like they are really anti-gaming.

Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and current commissioner Roger Goodell were instrumental in getting the anti gaming Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act attached to the Port Security Bill in October 2006. The NFL has taken this stance despite the fact that it’s enormously popularity is, in no small part, due to the prevalence of betting on games.

The hypocrisy of the NFL in regards to betting is almost laughable. The facts, as you will see, clearly show that the league was founded by gamblers for gamblers. From the NFL’s first television appearance in 1939 through the current TV deals that pumps nearly six billions dollars per year into the league coffers, the NFL’s popularity rests upon the shoulders of those who wager on the outcome of the games.

Here in the 21st century, the NFL is the most popular and profitable sport in the United States. NFL owners are among the richest men in the world. Lesser franchises like the Buffalo Bills are bought and sold for more than a billion dollars. However, the league’s humble origins were anything but the extravagant bonanza that is the NFL today.

The NFL was founded in 1922 by changing its name from the ‘American Professional Football Association’, a short lived league that lasted only two years. The NFL was a Midwest oriented league, with teams in Akron, Canton, Dayton, Rochester, Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and other smaller Midwest cities. Every year throughout the 1920’s — often in mid-season — franchises folded, and new clubs were added to the mix.

In 1925, Tim Mara founded the New York Giants, the first east coast team, for the paltry fee of $500, having never actually witnessed an NFL game himself. Mara’s ownership of an NFL franchise was a secondary profession for him. He was first and foremost a well-connected trackside bookie, taking bets on horse racing from a coveted spot inside the clubhouse.

Mara’s bookmaking prowess was well publicized in the New York newspapers, and he earned a small fortune during the roaring twenties, setting odds and taking large wagers from upper class bettors. But he saw the writing on the wall for trackside bookies, as police crackdowns and paramutual betting threatened the industry. His attempt to diversify his holdings was, and is, a common and sensible Wall Street strategy. Mara’s first major attempt at diversification hit the jackpot, and his descendants still own the franchise today.

The league’s finances were still on shaky grounds when the depression hit. The NFL’s fee to form a franchise was only $2,500 when Art Rooney founded the Pittsburgh Pirates, who later were re-named the Steelers. Where did Rooney get the money? From gambling, of course!

Rooney was an avid horse player, the most popular form of sports betting in the pre-pointspread era. His success at the track was legendary. In a single day at the famed Saratoga Racetrack, Rooney beat the bookies for $124,000, picking six winners on a seven race card. Back in Pittsburgh, Rooney was a bookie, running a ‘wire room’ that took bets from horse players from all over Western Pennsylvania. He parlayed that success into NFL ownership. Rooney’s descendants still own the Steelers today.

Charles Bidwell was a racetrack owner in Chicago in the 1920’s. He had very close ties with Al Capone and the Chicago mafia, and was an avid bettor himself. Bidwell bought the Chicago Cardinals in 1932 for $2000. His son still owns the franchise, currently located in Arizona. Early Detroit Lions owner George Richards was also strongly linked to both the mafia and gambling interests.

Even the commissioner of the league, Bert Bell, a former co-owner of the Steelers with Art Rooney, had significant gambling interests. Bell’s father was a prominent man in society, the attorney general of Pennsylvania. That connection certainly helped keep the heat off his own gambling interests and operations during his stint as a player and coach in the 1930’s, continuing through his ascension to NFL commissioner in 1946.

The All-American Football League was founded in 1946 as a rival to the NFL. The new league’s most successful franchise was the Cleveland Browns. The Browns won all four league titles before their three most successful franchised were absorbed by the NFL in 1950. Cleveland’s first owner, Mickey McBride, was another known horse betting wire-room operator and gambler.

These early owners all had one thing in common – a strong connection to the horse racing industry. The horse racing industry skyrocketed in popularity for one reason, and one reason only…gambling. But there was one leak in the horse racing industry. The so called blue laws prohibited race tracks (and many other businesses) from operating on Sunday.

When the NFL was founded in the early 1920’s, games were scheduled haphazardly throughout the weekend, often competing with the racetracks on Friday and Saturday evenings. The owners soon realized that their core audience of bettors needed something to do after church on Sunday. Since NFL games on Sunday weren’t strictly prohibited by the blue laws, the league’s founders latched onto the idea of Sunday afternoon football games. By the 1930’s, largely due to Mara’s influence, NFL games kicked off at 1 PM on Sundays without competition from the racetrack. And that is why pro football is played on Sundays – for the gamblers, plain and simple.

As the league was growing in popularity, a new form of betting was sweeping the nation. The origins of the pointspread remain unclear, but the concept was refined and popularized by Charles McNeil, a securities analyst in Chicago.

American bookmakers had been wrestling with the problem of how to generate equal amounts of ‘action’ on games where one team was heavily favored over another. Bookies were exposed to major liability on games where bettors wagered on a winning underdog at attractive prices, and they were equally exposed when bettors wouldn’t touch the underdog at all, even if the payouts on the favorite were very low. Many bookies refused to take action on lopsided games, even though bettors wanted to wager on those contests.

With the advent of the pointspread, bookies were able to attract bets on both sides of the vast majority of games. This led to numerous scandals in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, with college basketball point shaving at the forefront of the problem. Big gamblers offered huge dollars to poor kids who often succumbed to the lure of easy money.

But pro football was not immune from scandal. The 1946 NFL Championship Game was marred by a betting scandal. Self-described big bettor Alvin Paris attempted to bribe the New York Giants running backs Merle Hapes and Frank Filchock for $2,500 each to throw the game. Ironically, the Bears beat the Giants 24-14 without the need of bettor’s treachery.

That certainly wasn’t the last time that bettors had influence on a championship game. Next week, I’ll write about the how the greatest game in NFL history — the nationally televised 1958 championship OT thriller between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants — was probably influenced by gambling.

That TV $$ is now $9 Billion. Untaxed.

And that's the tip of the iceburg

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Art Schlicter
Len Dawson
Bubba Smith
Terrell Suggs
Ray Lewis

Plenty of players have said that the league is rigged.

Please provide sourced quotes for all of those. Len Dawson particularly. I don't think he said what you think he said.

If you can't provide sourced quotes then , you got nothing.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

http://thebiglead.com/2013/10/01/ter...bowl-blackout/


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...-york-responds

Those are OPINIONS, not facts. They never claimed they knew it was fixed, they are just like you ASSUMING it is because something they didn't like happened.

[Sully]

I think about all those fixed games lost by a missed field goal. The kicker just barely missed, or worse, hit the upright. What the hell is the guy doing getting it that close? The must've forgotten about the fix.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Dawson's famous quote of 'why don't we just tell them truth' speaks volumes.

Joe Namath was involved...Stabler...Frank Gifford, back in the 50s...

No one talks about them.

It's all about 'Len Dawson/Gambling/FBI'

Because Lenny told the truth to the feebs.

He was CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES. He never said he knew anything about fixing games. You are wrong here, and completely misunderstanding what you are reading.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Goodell
Owners
Coaches
Refs

Vegas
The Mob

Viacom
ABC/Disney
(ALL MEDIA IS BASICALLY THE SAME)

Paranoia, the destroyer. You have let paranoia blind you.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Sully

I think about all those fixed games lost by a missed field goal. The kicker just barely missed, or worse, hit the upright. What the hell is the guy doing getting it that close? The must've forgotten about the fix.

Not that douche bag we had in '95. THAT guy knew how to fix a game.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by ram29jackson

yes.

So injuries are all faked? How did they fake Joe Theismann's leg bending in ways a leg can't bend? That was some trick. He should be a magician, it was very convincing when his lower leg was bent at a 90 degree angle.