Some in college athletics are criticizing the NCAA’s decision to let athletes and staff wager on professional sports.
The University of Pittsburgh’s head football coach and the Southeastern Conference commissioner both recently voiced their displeasure.
According to Sports Illustrated, reporters asked Pittsburgh’s head coach Pat Narduzzi about the change at a press conference. Narduzzi believed that the NCAA should have consulted coaches about the potential change.
“They don’t ask the coaches,” said Narduzzi. “I think it’s absolutely one of the stupidest decisions I’ve ever seen. First of all, it’s a habit. It’s no different than smoking, drinking, doing drugs. It’s a bad habit. I don’t think anybody in here encourages guys to go out drinking and get smashed on a Friday or Saturday night, or at a ballgame.”
Narduzzi Has Company In The SEC
Narduzzi continued to claim the NCAA was tacitly approving of something that might create an addiction among athletes. He referenced the recent gambling-related issues surrounding the NBA as a reason to keep the ban in place.
“It’s a disease,” he said. “Same day that comes out, there’s a disease in the NBA with what’s going on there. It doesn’t matter how much money you make as a coach, you’re still gambling like that. It’s not to make money, it’s because you’re addicted to it, I guess. I’m not speaking for anybody.”
Lastly, Narduzzi added that he doesn’t partake in online sports betting.
“Gambling is gambling. I’m not a gambler, so I don’t understand it. I’m not addicted to anything. I don’t think it’s a great thing to teach our young people how to do.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey echoed some of those sentiments. According to AL.com, Sankey said the NCAA should reverse the decision. He called the move a “Major step in the wrong direction.”
Sankey sent a letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker outlining his concerns. The letter alluded to the NBA betting scandal.
“The integrity of competition is directly threatened when anyone with insider access becomes involved in gambling,” Sankey wrote. “Even when the wagers are placed on professional sports, the simple act of participating in gambling normalizes behavior, blurs boundaries, and erodes judgment.”
The rule change allows athletes to bet on pro sports, but wagering on college sports remains in place. Additionally, sharing information about collegiate competitions are still prohibited.
NCAA officials said the change was meant to alleviate the workload of university compliance officials. They faced a growing burden with the amount of cases regarding betting on pro sports. Most of those cases resulted in minor penalties.
