I see some hands over here...
No Nascar? No Curling? No Figure Skating?
And I actually think it is some sort of requirement that you have to have money bet somewhere to watch a horse race.
If anything made gambling the tail that wags the dog of sports, it was the proliferation of a) the Nevada sports book, and b) the internet, so that instead of having to slink into the world of local bookies, one can either take the cheap-eye fare to Vegas for the weekend or place their bet on someone's offshore site (perhaps much like the poker boom).
That being said, I still remember Pete Axthelm and the late Jimmy the Greek on the NFL studio shows and although I don't frequent the advertisers, I will pick up Phil Steele's College Annual, which is full of information but also just as many ads for his tout service and similar lines. Not sure if I'm part of the solution or the problem.
For most sports, I'll agree with you. I do like to gamble and have even made some money doing it, but I've never placed a real bet on a major sporting event (and likely never will). If anything, I think it actually takes away from the enjoyment of it because you're not enjoying it for the game that it is and the strategy involved, you're enjoying (or even simply caring about) it because your own money is at stake.
I say most sporting events because I have bet on dogs at the dog track. But like horse racing, I think that's something where, if you don't have money on it (including as an owner, breeder, veterinarian, etc.), you don't care.
open wheel racing? over basketball? seriously? I'm sending Michael Jordan and his personal assistant Charles Oakley over to your condo to have a "discussion" with you about that list.
Uh, Ryan...Open Wheel Racing is ninth, behind pro and college basketball. So, no.
In the words of Hubie, a meme ranking one's sports from most favorite to tenth most favorite would have "tremendous upside."
There is one reason and one reason only the NFL is number one in people's hearts, minds, and wallets. The Point Spread. Why are there more domestic violence calls on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day? Because a large number of idiots blew the mortgage payment on the game...
To relay another story from a sports talk host who loved horse racing, but wouldn't watch a car race...his co-host quipped "I'd bet if they put a paramutuel window at the track you'd watch it."
Seriously, I think you and most of your frequent readers are in the minority of those who do not gamble on the NFL games. I don't mean degenerate complusive types, but people who put 25-50 bucks on the game. It's the same as playing a $2 Nassau or $1 skins on the golf course, it ups your concentration and interest level, and if you lose, no big deal.
As an aside, I agree with you on Hubie Brown 100%, I think he's the best true color commentator in the game. If hockey or soccer could ever find someone to digest the strategy like Hubie does with basketball, it would do them a world of good.
I've been reading plenty of sports journalism lately and I haven't detected the same undercurrent as you have. That said, you're more in touch with this stuff than I am.
Anyway, I probably know more gambling addicts than anyone else in this blog's readership, and I'd guess that something like 37% of them bet sports (more if you count a very occasional small bet). There are also gamblers who don't bet sports unless they see what they consider an excellent bet. I also know a (non-gambler) guy who likes to bench fantasy players who are also on his favorite team for big games so that he doesn't have interest conflicts.
One thing I do perceive is that as gambling, especially poker, hits the mainstream harder and harder, that everyone's on the lookout for sports/gambling stories. It's also becoming clearer (after having been suppressed for decades) that the same drives and interests that contribute to athletic excellence often incline one to gambling.
Anyway, I'd just chalk the whole movement up to an increased perception of the magnitude of gambling, and sports gambling, that goes on in America and (often to a greater degree) the rest of the world.
And, of course go USA, come Cup time... I'm pretty sure the rare small bets I made won't interfere with my enjoying one of my favorite sports events.
The domestic violence idea is incorrect - see http://www.snopes.com/crime/stat...s/
superbowl.asp
I don't bet, based on the fact that, whenever I watch a sport, I have a rooting interest based on different reasons - which can get you into a lot of trouble against the spread. I am squarely of the type that can't take joy in a game being played well - I have to root for someone (Fever Pitch made this point very well). During the Kentucky Derby, I rooted for specific horses and was annoyed when they lost, despite the fact that no money was bet.
So I'm of the opinion that you have to root for someone while watching the game - and betting establishes this relationship. Even moreso, since it's your money, you're probably going to do some homework and be aware of the contenders, rather than just google the names on the opposing roster to find out material for hilarious signs.
Non sequitur, but the Hubie comment reminded me of the following Family Guy quote - "Oh, oh you know, it is so fashionable to take a shot at Jay Leno. The fact is the man's out there every bloody night, with fresh material, and he's charming."
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