NBA, NFL, NJL and MLB, the four giants unions in US sports and its representatives are preparing themselves for the day when sports betting in America is finally regulated.
According to media outlets, representatives of these unions had an incognito meeting in New York City in order to discuss the legalizations’ consequences, something that at the moment seems inevitable.
Optimism for Upcoming Changes
NFLPA executive, George Atallah confirmed that this meeting indeed took place. He specifically said: “Yes, the sports unions have been discussing the issue, in particular around the integrity of our respective games. We’re collaborating on it. We might be open to changes that are coming because of (legalized sports gambling), but before we get to the revenue aspect of it, do we have the infrastructure in place to prevent any sort of shenanigans? That’s the issue.”
He also played down the alleged fear of game fixing by players or organized crime.
One unidentified team owner told Sports Illustrated:
“That was an issue decades ago. Now? Sports gambling is going to be legal. We might as well embrace it and become part of the solution, rather than fight it. It’s in everyone’s best interests for it to be above board.”
Unions are already focusing on issues of structure and other matters, by which they can protect players in the new era of legal sports betting in USA.