With all the attention on the UB/Absolute scandal today, I thought I\’d offer some perspective on non-poker scandals. And since poker is a \”sport\” …
Sports Illustrated/CNN have compiled a photo gallery representing the 13 biggest \”Gambling Scandals in Sports.\” (No, UB and Absolute didn\’t make the list.)
The scandals date from the Black Sox of 1919 (when the Chicago White Sox famously threw the World Series) to the NBA referee (Tim Donaghy) who pleaded guilty to accepting money from a gambler. Basketball was the most offending sport, with six of the 13 spots on the list (46%). Boston College has the dubious honor of being listed twice (for basketball in the late \’70s and football in the mid \’90s).
The last item on the list (which appears to be in no particular order) is about former NHL player Rick Tocchet, who has played in a major poker tournament or two.
I find it interesting that while individual players must live with the consequences for decades (Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, etc.), the organizations that allowed such cheating to take place usually pay only a short-term penalty before returning to full respectability.
It\’s not a perfect parallel to the UB/Absolute scandal, but I think it\’s relevant. It\’s possible that after a few years, this scandal may be nothing more than a footnote to those two companies. What do you think?
If you find sports scandals boring, you can always check out SI\’s second-most popular gallery (at the moment): \”The Best 1980s Swimsuits,\” with a vintage Christie Brinkley SI cover in the leadoff spot. In middle school, I claimed that my initials stood for \”Billy Joel,\” and he was my uncle. He married Christie later that year, and my popularity soared. Wait … swimsuit photos? Am I blogging for Pokerati or Wicked Chops?
