The NFL said that players participating in the inaugural “Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship” in Las Vegas -- "without pre-approval -- are in violation" of the league's gambling policy and "subject to discipline," according to Jarrett Bell of USA TODAY. NFL Exec VP/Communications Joe Lockhart said, "Had we been asked in advance if this was acceptable, we would have indicated that it was in direct violation of the gambling policy. No one sought pre-approval.” The competition took place over the weekend and will "air on CBS" May 27-28 with the championship round airing the following weekend. With discipline "perhaps coming in the form of a fine, the stage may be set for another skirmish" between Steelers LB James Harrison and NFL HQ. Harrison coached "one of the teams in the event" and his counterpart was former NFLer Marshawn Lynch. Other "notable participants" included Dolphins WR Kenny Stills, 49ers LB NaVorro Bowman, Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey, Raiders P Marquette King and DE Mario Edwards, Patriots S Patrick Chung and Cowboys WR Lucky Whitehead. California-based Encinal Entertainment co-Owner Alan Brickman, whose company put on the show, is "funneling half of the $100,000 in first-place prize money to charity, with the Give Back Foundation charged to support foundations in the players’ names." Brickman said he also sold the TV package as a chance "to get to know the players behind the scenes.” Brickman "disputes the contention that pre-approval wasn’t sought from the NFL" (USA TODAY, 4/11). In Pittsburgh, Ed Bouchette notes there were "as many as 30" current and former NFLers at the MGM Grand (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/11). Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins said, “It’s obviously ironic right when we’re getting ready to move a team to Vegas that guys get in trouble for a charity event -- something that wasn't negative, but we have no problem with other players that want to go to Vegas and party.” ESPN’s Marcellus Wiley: “The NFL wants its first steps into Las Vegas to be carefully calculated, not done by players on their own” (“SportsNation,” ESPN, 4/10).
DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD: The POST-GAZETTE's Bouchette writes under the header, "NFL Walks Fine Line With Stance On Gambling, Relationship With Las Vegas." None of the players participating in the arm wrestling event are "likely to be suspended." But a league source said that those involved "likely would be fined." Apparently, Commissioner Roger Goodell or "whoever else he instructs to take such action would do so with a straight face, even though the NFL has gotten into bed with gambling more and more in recent years" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/11). In DC, Deron Snyder writes under the header, "NFL Already Stumbling On Vegas." Only the NFL is "obtuse enough to celebrate putting a franchise in Las Vegas and criticize players for attending an arm-wrestling tournament there." Snyder: "That’s like your company setting up shop in a new town and complaining that the locale has a negative influence on employees and the product." Snyder: "Star players. Major network. Prime Vegas venue. Sounds like a winning combination that would be hard to miss." The NFL "gets a little crazy about perceptions and proximity when Vegas is involved" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/11). FS1’s Jason Whitlock said, “Yes, they're moving a team to Las Vegas but that doesn't mean they're legalizing anything anybody wants to do in Las Vegas. I don't think they're being hypocritical, I think they're being the adults in the room” (“Speak for Yourself,” FS1, 4/11).
WHAT'S TO COME? USA Today’s Jarrett Bell said, “This is really just going to be the tip-off of a real deep examination of what the NFL can expect to do, what the Vegas Raiders can expect to do, players there, when it comes to the biggest industry in Las Vegas -- gambling. So the league is probably going to find itself really looking very hard at whether or not this policy will work to the letter.” ESPN’s Joe Banner said, “It's time to re-evaluate the rules. … The money that's going into the stadium comes from a room tax on the casino hotels. It basically covers the strip hotels. So it's not a stretch to say it's coming directly from the casinos to the government into the stadium. So how can we still be at the point where a player doing something like this is not being re-evaluated in the rules so that this is okay? … I understand the goal to keep gambling away from the game and I think it's an admirable goal, but boy it's time to get current and re-evaluate this” (“OTL,” ESPN, 4/10).
