The major sports leagues in the US, who fought long and hard to retain PASPA, have emerged with their initial responses to this week’s repeal verdict. The overall consensus was one of grudging acceptance at the ruling, albeit with a view to reinforcing safeguards around integrity of their respective sports.
National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner Adam Silver emphasised that there is still plenty of dialogue to be had, saying: “Today’s decision by the Supreme Court opens the door for states to pass laws legalising sports betting. We remain in favour of a federal framework that would provide a uniform approach to sports gambling in states that choose to permit it, but we will remain active in ongoing discussions with state legislatures. Regardless of the particulars of any future sports betting law, the integrity of our game remains our highest priority.”
The view from the National Football League (NFL) was also cautious. In an official statement it said: “The NFL’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of our game remains absolute. Congress has long recognised the potential harms posed by sports betting to the integrity of sporting contests and the public confidence in these events. Given that history, we intend to call on Congress again, this time to enact a core regulatory framework for legalised sports betting. We also will work closely with our clubs to ensure that any state efforts that move forward in the meantime protect our fans and the integrity of our game.”
The response from the National Hockey League (NHL) was that while big changes lie ahead, in the short term it will be business as usual for its clubs. “The Supreme Court’s decision today paves the way to an entirely different landscape, one in which we have not previously operated,” it cautioned. “We will review our current practices and policies and decide whether adjustments are needed, and if so, what those adjustments will look like. It’s important to emphasise that the Supreme Court’s decision has no immediate impact on existing League rules relating to sports wagering, and particularly, wagering involving NHL games. So, while changes may be considered in the future, today’s decision does not directly impact the operation of the League or any of our clubs in the short term.”
Major League Baseball’s (MLB) reaction to the news focused on the need for ongoing integrity. It stated: “Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court will have profound effects on Major League Baseball. As each state considers whether to allow sports betting, we will continue to seek the proper protections for our sport, in partnership with other professional sports. Our most important priority is protecting the integrity of our games. We will continue to support legislation that creates air-tight coordination and partnerships between the state, the casino operators and the governing bodies in sports toward that goal.”
The most conciliatory response to the SCOTUS ruling was issued by Major League Soccer (MLS). The organisation noted: “Although Major League Soccer is supportive of today’s Supreme Court decision, we also believe that it is critical that state legislatures and other regulatory bodies work closely with the professional sports leagues in the United States to develop a regulatory framework to protect the integrity of each of our respective sports. We look forward to being a part of that process.”
Taken in the round, the leagues’ initial reactions to Monday’s landmark developments are not unexpected. It’s clear that among them there is a desire for a federal rather than ‘state-by-state’ approach, but with many states already having progressed bills in anticipation of the repeal, that boat may have already sailed. The focus will inevitably now switch to the controversial topic of integrity fees or, more pertinently, what share of the betting revenue cake that the leagues can expect once legal sports betting is fully up and running.
