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.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

I see it while watching on Sundays, it's pretty crystal clear.

Bad calls are only evidence that officials are human. If you want to show that the game is rigged you need more than that.

[Crying Ramtard]

Originally Posted by splatbass

Bad calls are only evidence that officials are human. If you want to show that the game is rigged you need more than that.

LOL this has nothing to do with bad calls/mistakes. This has to do with you telling yourself the truth when you see deliberate bad calls by refs to gain a team advantage.

the pass interference that wasn't called against the Panthers in the end zone in the game against the patriots was a deliberate lie.-last year

the pass interference that wasn't called against SF in the playoff game against Atlanta was a deliberate lie.- 2 years ago

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by ram29jackson

LOL this has nothing to do with bad calls/mistakes. This has to do with you telling yourself the truth when you see deliberate bad calls by refs to gain a team advantage.

No, this has to do with you believing what you want to believe. I already pointed out several absurdities in your OP, but you ignored that.

[Crying Ramtard]

Originally Posted by splatbass

No, this has to do with you believing what you want to believe. I already pointed out several absurdities in your OP, but you ignored that.

I didnt make an original post. I quoted another guys writing.

[splatbass]

Originally Posted by ram29jackson

I didnt make an original post. I quoted another guys writing.

You posted it and defended it. Then you asked me to show you the baseless assumptions, which I did and you proceeded to ignore.

[Mav]

I'll say this. I found it ironic that the Seahawks gave a blue print to the league on how this was still a defense wins league, and more importantly how to shut down Peyton. And now there is an emphasis on db, wr contact.

Someone should make a gif with Goodell holding a Lombardi saying "this ones, for Peyton."

[TimBone]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

I'll say this. I found it ironic that the Seahawks gave a blue print to the league on how this was still a defense wins league, and more importantly how to shut down Peyton. And now there is an emphasis on db, wr contact.

Someone should make a gif with Goodell holding a Lombardi saying "this ones, for Peyton."

Impossible. I feel like Goodell would know how to properly use a comma.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Flybone McTimmerson

Impossible. I feel like Goodell would know how to properly use a comma.

Meh, everytime I hear, this ones for John i see a comma in there. That's a little picky for this early don't ya think?

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by splatbass

Bad calls are only evidence that officials are human. If you want to show that the game is rigged you need more than that.

"The fact that the officiating isn't flawless is evidence there's a conspiracy afoot..."

[WhawhaWhat]

The OPI call against TG against the Colts was obviously to fix the game.

[13and3]

No use in trying to convince the reeruns on this forum or in the general public. Most people live their lives happy with whatever bullshit is fed to them from those who are in power, i.e., government, organized religion, or the partially rigged nfl. I don't believe every game, and every called is fixed or eschewed to favor a certain outcome, but the NFL does find ways to swing games in a certain direction or another. Do we remember when we had the substitute refs calling the shots a few years ago during the strike? It seems some of the NFLs favorite teams were not getting the benefit of the doubt, and I seen Rodgers, and Brady whining about the outcomes of games. The marquee teams were tanking before the reg refs got back and righted the ship. Any how to question the nfl is some fans eyes is to question the immense amount of time, money and energy they have spent watching games, calling radio shows, debating friends, buying big screen tvs, hosting super bowl parties, and etc. Basically if the games were rigged even the slightest then that would fly in the face of everything a true nfl fan thinks they know, learned or heard. Please don't take the blinders off, the truth is sometimes to hard for us simple minded folk, and it hurts.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

I won't claim that no one has ever been on the take due to a payoff or the mafia or similar.
But that is much, much different than the ridiculous claim that the NFL owners are fixing the games. It also takes off the table the insane assertions about the NFL claiming it is merely entertainment that can legally be fixed. The nuts make both arguments--it can be legally fixed and the mafia is controlling it.

I think it's mostly legit competition. Again, anyone who doesn't think a pro sports game can be influenced hasn't really paid any attention to the history of pro sports. If you have a garden, you have to defend against bugs. Same kinda idea.

Now as for the NFL directly influencing or deciding games I don't have enough evidence to be convinced of that. I will say that

-Most NFL owners have ties to gambling, especially the old guard of owners.

- There is a pattern where results often appear to be tied to potential ratings. This is especially true in the playoffs. People say that and at times I agree, but shouldn't that allow successful predictions of future match-ups?

-If the NFL was totally rigged, we would have gotten a Luck vs. Manning AFC championship game. That's an obvious example of the theory not creating predictable results. That would get all kinds of viewers for a Manning vs. Colts AFC championship.

I'm in no way convinced. I think there are factors that, at times, influence all professional sports. Anyone who thinks sports are 100% legit and not influenced by the gambling community or others with various forms of point shaving from players and referees, you're cute. Even gladatorial games in rome were sometimes fixed. These things happen. It's a natural parasite of sport.

I'm not convinced any of them are entirely rigged by any stretch.. I can't see why anyone could believe that and still watch it and root for their team.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by 13and3

No use in trying to convince the reeruns on this forum or in the general public. Most people live their lives happy with whatever bullshit is fed to them from those who are in power, i.e., government, organized religion, or the partially rigged nfl. I don't believe every game, and every called is fixed or eschewed to favor a certain outcome, but the NFL does find ways to swing games in a certain direction or another. Do we remember when we had the substitute refs calling the shots a few years ago during the strike? It seems some of the NFLs favorite teams were not getting the benefit of the doubt, and I seen Rodgers, and Brady whining about the outcomes of games. The marquee teams were tanking before the reg refs got back and righted the ship. Any how to question the nfl is some fans eyes is to question the immense amount of time, money and energy they have spent watching games, calling radio shows, debating friends, buying big screen tvs, hosting super bowl parties, and etc. Basically if the games were rigged even the slightest then that would fly in the face of everything a true nfl fan thinks they know, learned or heard. Please don't take the blinders off, the truth is sometimes to hard for us simple minded folk, and it hurts.

You lose all credibility when you bring up replacement refs as part of your argument. They were only in place for three weeks of the regular season and they were a complete and total shit show. Show me which marquee teams were "tanking" in the first three weeks of the season. The Packers were 1-2, but that record was due to the worse call I've ever seen on the hail mary pass on Monday night football. This play is what forced the NFL to get a deal done with the regular referees. The Patriots were 1-2, but one of their losses was a very close loss to the Ravens who were a very good team that year. There other loss was to the Cardinals where the Cardinals blocked a punt to set up an easy touchdown, and Gostkowski missed a game winning field goal on the last play of the game.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

I think it's mostly legit competition. Again, anyone who doesn't think a pro sports game can be influenced hasn't really paid any attention to the history of pro sports. If you have a garden, you have to defend against bugs. Same kinda idea.

Now as for the NFL directly influencing or deciding games I don't have enough evidence to be convinced of that. I will say that

-Most NFL owners have ties to gambling, especially the old guard of owners.

- There is a pattern where results often appear to be tied to potential ratings. This is especially true in the playoffs. People say that and at times I agree, but shouldn't that allow successful predictions of future match-ups?

-If the NFL was totally rigged, we would have gotten a Luck vs. Manning AFC championship game. That's an obvious example of the theory not creating predictable results. That would get all kinds of viewers for a Manning vs. Colts AFC championship.

I'm in no way convinced. I think there are factors that, at times, influence all professional sports. Anyone who thinks sports are 100% legit and not influenced by the gambling community or others with various forms of point shaving from players and referees, you're cute. Even gladatorial games in rome were sometimes fixed. These things happen. It's a natural parasite of sport.

I'm not convinced any of them are entirely rigged by any stretch.. I can't see why anyone could believe that and still watch it and root for their team.

Hey, a logical post on the subject. Nice job.

[durtyrute]

It is impossible for every single game to be completely rigged, but that doesn't mean that missed holding calls, or bullshit pass interference calls can't effect the outcomes from time to time. I've always wondered why teams aren't able to challenge a holding call or any penalty for that matter.