NBPA's Roberts, Players Begin Discussions About Potential Impact Of Legalized Gambling

NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts "has begun to engage players in discussions on the possibility of expanded legalized sports betting and the money involved," according to David Purdum of ESPN.com. Roberts said, "Everyone has known for years that there is a ton of money being made that's not being enjoyed, frankly, by the people who are creating the games, both the owners and the players." She added that she has not talked to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver about the issue, Roberts: "If there's a way ... to funnel what is otherwise income that should be enjoyed by the folks who are creating it, in a way that doesn't harm the game, then I frankly don't see any reason why we can't explore it." Roberts: "There's a lot of money being made" (ESPN.com, 2/16).