Bankroll –
Sports betting is growing in the NBA. Over the weekend, Capital One Arena, home of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals, became the first sports venue in the United States to have betting windows and kiosks. Patrons can place wagers on college and professional sports at a temporary space at the arena’s box office that has seven betting windows and nine kiosks during the operating hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. A permanent space is being built inside the arena.
Earlier today, the NBA launched NBABet Stream, a telecast for sports betting. Fans will be able to view point spreads and odds as well as betting analysis for select games. The service is available on NBA League Pass, NBA TV via the NBA App and NBA.com through the league’s direct-to-consumer subscription product.
NFL Players Opt-Out –
Training Camp started last week and some players have decided to opt-out of playing in the 2020 Season. Players were given this option in an amendment to the current collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association (union for the players). To opt-out of playing this season, a player must provide written notification to his club within seven days of the amendment being finalized. While both parties agreed to the terms of the amendment on July 24, it has not been finalized. So, players do not have a deadline to make a decision.
Pending if the opt-out is voluntary or higher-risk, players are eligible for a stipend of $150,000 or $350,000 respectively. To be a higher-risk opt-out, a player must have a diagnosis in his medical records of one the factors on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) risk factors list.
With the struggles that MLB is having playing outside of a bubble, the NFL is still exploring how it can conduct its season in a bubble.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, has not opted out, but he was vocal in an interview with The Wall Street Journal about his concerns. The 2014 Offensive Player of the Year and 3x Pro Bowler said that he thinks the league should cancel the season. Track all player opt-outs.
In the Dugout –
MLB is continuing to struggle with their season. In the first week, games were postponed, teams had players, coaches and staff contract the virus and the Philadelphia Phillies closed down their entire ballpark, cancelling all activity at Citizens Bank Park indefinitely.
Today the New York Mets confirmed that their star outfielder Yoenis Céspedes did not show up for yesterday’s game against the Atlanta Braves because of the COVID-19 related issues. He has opted out of the rest of the season.
Game On,
Shavannia
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