once again NFL talks out of both sides of its ass

[TxHeat]

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo responded Tuesday to the NFL’s communication with the NFLPA regarding the National Fantasy Football Convention that Romo helped organize and was scheduled to be held in Las Vegas this summer.

The NFL contacted the union to remind them that players “may not participate in promotional activities or other appearances at or in connection with events that are held at or sponsored by casinos.” According to a report from Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, the league also reportedly contacted parents of players scheduled to take part to tell them of the ban. The event, which has been postponed, was scheduled to take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, which does not have on-site gambling although Sands is in the gambling business.

Romo called the league’s letter a “scare tactic” and said the league could have acted sooner to express misgivings about the location of the event, but that they never reached out to him or the organizers about that problem. Romo also suggested that the league and teams only have a problem with associations with gambling when they aren’t getting a cut of the proceeds, as they will with a recently announced sponsorship agreement between MGM Grand and the Lions.

“They talk about how no players or NFL personnel are to be associated [with casinos], well, I’m like, that doesn’t really make sense,” Romo said on ESPN Radio with Colin Cowherd. “There’s just far too many cases and it does make it sound sometimes that it’s an issue about money, which is disappointing because we were just trying to get the fans to hang out with players.”

The NFL is also in the fantasy football business despite the fact that the prospect of winning cash in addition to league bragging rights is a big part of the allure of participating in the first place. The league doesn’t object to that kind of gambling because fantasy football has become a major factor in the interest level in actual football and a major revenue generator in its own right, something Romo was taking advantage of and that makes it hard not to draw a similar conclusion to the one that the Cowboys quarterback did about the league’s objection to the event.

 

[SteelersPride]

this is very long post, i didnt read it

but

they are two faced

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

My guess is since Goddell and the NFL isn't making a dime on this event, then no one can have fun meeting these great players. What a shame.

 

[Manster7588]

Romo should have contracted with Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority This way the NFL couldn't use the NO Casino involvement rule.

The National Fantasy Football Convention was going to be held in a Convention Center where no gambling takes place. The only association the convention center has is its owned by Las Vegas Sands Coproration

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Such bullshit on Goodell part.

 

[Manster7588]

If the NFL was getting a cut, odds are they don't shut this thing down.

 

[broncosmitty]

DETROIT LIONS AND MGM GRAND DETROIT ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM AGREEMENT

There's the MGM Grand-Lions dealy.
(Tom Lewand Is a giant liar for those who read the link and are unaware. Don't the Cowboys already have similar sections? Just no casino?)
What a load of crap that Romo and crew got shut down.

 

[Manster7588]

Will the NFL force the Giants and Jets to move out of NJ if/when Atlantic City OK's sports betting?

 

[TxHeat]

My guess is since Goddell and the NFL isn't making a dime on this event, then no one can have fun meeting these great players. What a shame.

exactly what Romo's point was, but he didn't have to make it since we all know that is how the NFL operates.

 

[TxHeat]

In typical NFL fashion they respond to "Romo's rant". Given that the league prides itself on spewing out misinformation I'll side with Romo.
NFL responds to Romos radio rant | ProFootballTalk

 

[redseat]

Romo should have contracted with Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority This way the NFL couldn't use the NO Casino involvement rule.

The National Fantasy Football Convention was going to be held in a Convention Center where no gambling takes place. The only association the convention center has is its owned by Las Vegas Sands Coproration

This isn't the first time he's held this event though no? So why now is the league stepping in. Or was this the first time Romo held it where it was supposed to be held?

 

[TxHeat]

the NFL's definition of 'fan friendly' is if the league can make a buck it's good for the fans, otherwise, fuck the fans.

 

[Manster7588]

This isn't the first time he's held this event though no? So why now is the league stepping in. Or was this the first time Romo held it where it was supposed to be held?

It's the first time I've heard if it and the story did say inaugural.

 

[SteelersPride]

the NFL's definition of 'fan friendly' is if the league can make a buck it's good for the fans, otherwise, fuck the fans.

basically

 

[TxHeat]

the NFL is suddenly putting other NFL activities connected to gambling venues under scrutiny.

The Fantasy Sports Combine is scheduled for July 17 at the Wynn Las Vegas, and current players Brandon Marshall, Shane Vereen, Von Miller and Michael Floyd are billed as making appearances at the event.

The Strikes for Kids charity bowling event is July 12 at The Palazzo on July 12. Sammy Watkins, Alshon Jeffery, Aqib Talib and Terrance Knighton are scheduled to attend.

As of now, these events are scheduled to go on as planned, but an NFL spokesperson said the league is looking into them.


I'd love to see the league cancel a charity event for kids. Go ahead Roger!!

 

[ducky]

The NFL is right in this situation.

You guys are crazy.

NFL player's absolutely should NOT be allowed to work with and take money from people in the gaming industry.

A team however can set up sponsorship deals with the industry.

It is just common sense here. An individual player, like HUNDREDS (maybe thousands) of players have in the past, will take money to point shave or throw a game when offered the right payoff. A franchise as a whole would never do that.

 

[Hbomb]

the NFL's definition of 'fan friendly' is if the league can make a buck it's good for the fans, otherwise, fuck the fans.

This^^^

Let Tony know for next time.

 

[TxHeat]

The NFL is right in this situation.

You guys are crazy.

NFL player's absolutely should NOT be allowed to work with and take money from people in the gaming industry.

A team however can set up sponsorship deals with the industry.

It is just common sense here. An individual player, like HUNDREDS (maybe thousands) of players have in the past, will take money to point shave or throw a game when offered the right payoff. A franchise as a whole would never do that.

so you're making an assumption that Romo was going to be paid by a casino. I doubt it. I think he and all players know better than that.

 

[BigKen]

Maybe fantasy and betting fans should just hold out for the preseason and Week 1 of the regular season. Don't place any bets legit or illegit. Cold cock a multi-billion dollar industry and I absolutely guarantee Goodell will sleep with the fishes.

Problem is that fans are fans and no matter what the NFL does, the fans do nothing but bitch. If some one could organize the fans and say get 50% not to attend a game, the league would immediately perk up. Just imagine what the owners would do if every stadium was half empty. Roughly 35,000 people per team sitting home and not buying $8 beers, $7 hot dogs and not paying the $40 parking fee.

Problem is that fans are fans and no matter how badly a team or the league treats them, they'll fill the stands.

Major League Baseball is starting to feel the fan disinterest. Attendance is down about 15% and it's getting worse. The game is slow and young people don't like it. Football is starting to fall in disfavor with young parents. They're steering their kids more toward soccer and lacrosse. Within 10 years, football will start to feel the same pinch. Eliminating the defense isn't the problem, the players being 6'5" and taller, weighing 350 lbs and running a sub 5 second 40 yard dash is the problem. Hits are becoming body and brain damaging and even some of the players are deciding it's not worth the long term damage.

 

[ducky]

so you're making an assumption that Romo was going to be paid by a casino. I doubt it. I think he and all players know better than that.

Like the NFL, I don't see a big difference between a player taking a check and the charity he works for taking it. Especially when you know that a lot of these player's are doing these things because it is the "charity" that will be footing all their travel/lodging/expenses. It's a free vacation to Vegas and the only thing the player's have to do is show up and do something as enjoyable as teach a football camp to kids for a couple hours a day.