by David Purdum, ESPN
What does Adam Silver want?
He wants Congress to alter the current federal sports betting prohibition and create a federal framework that allows states to legalize, regulate and monitor sports betting.
The current federal ban, under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, prohibits all but four states — Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon — from regulating sports betting.
Why is Silver doing this?
Silver told WFAN’s Mike Francesa in a Friday radio interview that he wants to start the discussion of federal regulation of sports betting. Silver had mentioned his feelings on sports betting twice earlier this year, but his op-ed in the New York Times was his boldest move yet.
Silver told Francesa that NBA ownership, which is trending younger and more tech-savvy, was on board for starting the discussion of legalized sports betting.
“There were a bunch of owners that have been tired of the hypocrisy for years,” Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told ESPN in an email. “I’m proud that Adam took the initiative.”
The discussions ultimately will include potential ways to generate revenue through sports betting. Licensing fees and sports book advertising deals, such as the ones European soccer teams embrace, are among the possibilities.
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