Money Players

Michael Vick will forever be linked to...gambling

By Marc Isenberg

Now that Vick has plead guilty, our nation can turn its attention to settling a more pressing question: Which is worse, killing dogs or betting on dogs?

The reasonable answer: Dog killing is despicable, heinous and disturbing. Illegal sports gambling by NFL players is prohibited -- so the NFL will factor in the gambling element when it comes to determining Michael Vick's fate as a football player. But Vick will always be remembered as -- and pay the steepest price for -- killing dogs.

But what do I know? I don't get paid to write opinions like this.

Here's what extremely well-compensated studio announcers Bob Costas, Peter King, Tiki Barber, and Chris Collingsworth had to say on NBC's Football Night in America. (Thanks to Jon Stewart we can laugh at some very strange commentary.)

Costas: "We're looking at Michael Vick not showing up in the NFL until again 2010."

Stewart: "My god, that's almost 28 dog years from now."

Collingsworth: "Peter, what about the gambling?  The dog fighting might be the least of his concerns."

King: "You said it absolutely right. I am told the League is as concerned, maybe more so, about the gambling aspect than about the dog fighting."

Really? Roger Goodell has been masterful in his statements since becoming NFL commish. It's very questionable that the NFL, the most well-oiled machine in professional sports, would put out something so greasy. No question the gambling aspect compounds Vick's problems, but this is not a rock/paper/scissors game -- where gambling smashes dog killing.

The whole exchange is classic -- and worth viewing...but you must do so on Comedy Central's website, not mine. Viacom (which owns Comedy Central) is suing Youtube.com for a $1 billion. Of greater concern: My wife, Debbie Spander, is a lawyer...get ready for the punchline...at Comedy Central. If I can avoid receiving a cease and desist letter from my wife...on corporate letterhead...that's a good day.

But she will happily have a smackdown with debate Youtube's chief counsel on this very issue at the ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries in NYC on October 13. (See page 9 of the brochure.)

Summer feel-good stories

Haven't had much time to blog in July. Not like I missed anything important. Trying to finish my book, "Money Players: A Pro Athlete's Guide to Success in Sports, Business & Life," which if I continue to not blog should be ready to ship in September.

Sports have not had a carefree, lazy summer. WWE wrestler Chris Benoit tragically put the ultimate sleeper hold on his wife and son before killing himself. After multiple off-the-field transgressions by Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson, and Chris Henry, the NFL delivered them swift, severe punishment. Just after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's stronger conduct policy was ratified -- and embraced by owners and players alike -- Michael Vick faces criminal charges for his alleged involvement in a dog fighting ring. Now the NBA is reeling over allegations that one of its referees placed bets on games he officiated. The Tour de France is a complete mess.

And then there's Barry Bonds, who looks pretty wholesome these days, at least relative to the times we live in. As The Onion headline noted, "Bonds Home-Run Scandal Somehow Becomes Feel-Good Sports Story Of Summer."

Sports Illustrated's Jack McCallum commenting on the one league which has escaped summer controversy, "Somewhere last week NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was lounging in his deck chair with a tall cocktail and a photo of Sidney Crosby at his side, saying, 'Who cares that the Food Channel gets better ratings than the Stanley Cup finals?'"

NCAA article: Educational steps combat gambling

Here's a link to an article on gambling Rick Rhoads and I wrote for The NCAA News.

It wasn't so long ago when the NCAA wouldn't print anything I wrote, so I am glad to see a new era in this relationship.