The players unions of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB "aren’t sure when sports gambling will be legalized," but each league has had a "number of formal meetings in New York over the past year-and-a-half to discuss the potential ramifications" that such a move could present for their players, according to Albert Breer of THE MMQB. NFLPA Assistant Exec Dir of External Affairs George Atallah said, “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.” Atallah said that the unions have "started looking at how legalized sports gambling and those associated issues are handled overseas in areas where it’s been legal for decades." They also are "monitoring legislation in New Jersey, which has been the primary battleground for legalized sports gambling." Breer noted these meetings over the past 18 months "have been attended by the executive directors of the four unions" and are "just another acknowledgment of what’s likely not far off" (MMQB.SI.com, 6/8). ESPN.com's David Purdum noted the four leagues themselves have been "staunch opponents of legal sports betting" for decades, "claiming it jeopardizes the integrity of the games." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, while discussing the Raiders' future move to Las Vegas, recently said that the league "remains opposed to expanding legal sports betting in the U.S." However, the NHL "has been quiet on the subject, while it prepares for the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to take the ice." The NBA has "pivoted its position on sports betting altogether," with Commissioner Adam Silver "calling on Congress to create a federal framework and allow states to legalize sports betting." MLB is "aligning itself with the NBA" (ESPN.com, 6/8).
