NFL investigating ‘second wave’ of alleged gambling policy violations

The NFL is walking a thin line between greedily siphoning as much revenue from gambling sponsorships as possible and endangering its product. ESPN’s David Purdum reports that the NFL is looking into ‘a second wave’ of alleged gambling policy violations after it suspended five players in April, including Detroit Lions star receiver Jameson Williams.

Williams was suspended for placing wagers on college games, not NFL contests, but that he did so while at the team facility qualified for a six-game suspension. Fair or not, that’s the league policy, and it’s possible other teams like the New Orleans Saints could be next to take a hit for it.

We know some Saints players have had fun with college rivalries before; last year, LSU icon Tyrann Mathieu had to wear Tennessee colors around the locker room after losing a bet with Alvin Kamara on a game between their two schools. Obviously that’s a far cry from logging onto one of the NFL’s multiple sportsbook partners and placing a bet slip, but it goes to show that these conversations do happen, and players need to be careful in minding the NFL’s gambling policy.

At the same time, the league isn’t helping itself by punishing players and team personnel for taking an interest in the same sports betting outlets that it’s promoting at every opportunity, up to and including with kiosks in stadiums on game days. There has to be a better compromise here. Hopefully the Saints don’t suffer any gambling suspensions until the NFL finds it.