Super Fix Bowl

Well tomorrow is the big day and something I will rant on every year. The Super Bowl, the biggest single betting game of the year! The one game so big that sharps can't even move the line because of the amount of action on it. I have read that some believe this could be the highest bet game beating the $94 million on Super Bowl XL which of course doesn't include offshore books and your local bookies. My yearly statistic, the Las Vegas sports books have only lost minimal amounts in two of the last twenty one Super Bowl's. One interesting thing to note though is the last loss came in 2008 when the Giants upset the Patriots, the same two teams playing this year. If it's not fixed with that amount of action, how is that possible?

Sun Belt Officials Can't Count

Missed this one a few weeks ago in college basketball but thought it was definitely of interest. Host Western Kentucky lost to Louisiana-Lafayette 72-70 on January 5th. One website showed about 60% of the public was backing Western Kentucky and here is where it gets interesting. With second left in the game Louisiana-Lafayette made the winning layup but they did it with six players on the floor. Yes, they had one too many players on the floor and not one referee caught this. I understand mistakes happen but this is at the college level and you have multiple referee's so how would this possibly be missed? My guess, the fix was in. The majority of action was on Western Kentucky as a 1 1/2 point home dog and what do you know Louisiana-Lafayette wins by two to cover the spread while using six players. Something stinks here and have heard the referee's from the Sun Belt conference are expected to be suspended.

Another Blown Call at UFC 142

Usually we see the uneducated boxing scorers fix the outcomes of MMA decisions but this time we blame the referee for the blown call at UFC 142 last weekend in Brazil. Fighter Erick Silva made the most of his UFC debut by throwing a nice knee followed by some ground and pound on opponent Carlo Prater for an early referee stoppage in round one. When the official decision was announced that Silva was disqualified by referee Mario Yamasaki the crowd erupted in anger. Yamasaki DQ'd Silva for illegal blows to the back of the head. Shortly after announcer Joe Rogan went through the replay and strike after strike noted the each hit was legal. UFC president Dana White also criticized the call and continues to urge the commissions to start using instant replay before making these ridiculous errors in judgement and scoring or as we like to say, fixes! Silva was fighting in his home country with a raucous crowd behind him and also a heavy favorite at the sports books, go figure.

MMA Fighter Cris Cyborg Santos Tests Positive for Steroids

Last week news broke that Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg Santos tested positive for stanozolol metabolites. This had to be a question for quite some time as Cyborg is freakishly strong, ripped physique and dominates anyone who gets in the cage with her. As of now she has been suspended for one year, fined $2,500 and stripped of her championship belt which may also see the dissolution of the weight class at Strikeforce.

More Corruption in Tennis

Although no specified reason has been give at this point, tennis player Lucas Renard has been suspended for six months for violating the sport's anti-corruption rules and fined $5,000 according to the Tennis Integrity Unit. 19-year-old Renard is the 882nd-ranked player and usually plays on the lower level circuits where the lure of a quick buck might be stronger.

Sports Betting - Is It Fixed?

Thanks to the guys at The Fix Is In we stumbled upon this video of the guys from Pregame.com discussing if sports are fixed.  Not too in depth with evidence but a good listen. In agreement with what they are saying that not every game is fixed and most of the time you will not know when they are but they make a point that is does happen whether you believe it or not.

Saints Whistle Blowing to Victory

The Tennessee Titans accused the New Orleans Saints of blowing a whistle on the sideline during a critical drive in the game between the two teams on December 11th according to Yardbarker.  The Titans claim to have video evidence along with multiple offensive lineman who can attest to the whistle blowing.  Titans players were confused by the distraction upon hearing the whistle as Saints players did not stop.  This was believed to have occurred during the second to last drive in which the Titans were trying to rally from behind but ultimately lost 22-17.  A field goal would have change the outcome for bettors on the spread which had the Saints favored by 3.5 and a touchdown would have change the spread and moneyline outcomes.

2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun Fails Drug Test

Yes, you read the title correctly. 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faces a 50-game suspension if upheld. The result is currently being disputed by Braun through arbitration. Braun helped lead the Milwaukee Brewers to its first division title in almost three decades. At this level it seems everyone is suspect these days.

UFC Star Chris Leben Suspended for One Year

Performance enhancing drugs and pain killers are a major problem in mixed martial arts according to many fighters and others behind the scenes.  Two weeks ago the Ultimate Fighting Championships announced that long time fighter Chris Leben had been suspended for one year following a failed drug test after UFC 138 in which he was defeated by Mark Munoz.  Leben has had issues in the past with a suspension in 2008 after his failed drug test for stanozolol and this time for oxycodone and oxymorphone.  He could have been using these to mask the eftects of injury or to take the grind of training and fighting.  Will the UFC bring him back, only time will tell.

Hawaii Point-Shaving Scheme?

A little over a week ago Sports Illustrated reported allegations that a point-shaving scheme involving University of Hawaii football players was being questioned.  On November 3rd the admissions office received an anonymous letter stating that players were intentionally playing bad to affect the outcome of games and scores.  Police investigators do not currently have enough information to open an investigation and campus officials couldn't comment if they would continue with their own.  Hawaii is a pretty bad 3-7-1 against the spread this year.

Was the MLS Soccer Finale Fixed for Ratings?

Not stating that the MLS soccer finale was fixed but certainly seemed like a calculated game for television ratings. Last Sunday the Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo squared off for the MLS Championship which resulted in a riveting 1-0 Galaxy win. This is international star David Beckham's last year on his contract with the Galaxy and may very well have been Landon Donovan's last game as well so how fitting that both superstars were involved in the winning and only goal in the championship game for a sport generally low on ratings in the United States. It was a great season for the Galaxy capped off by a championship but just seemed too good to be true in the finale.

Pacquiao vs. Marquez Decision Fueled by Money?

So what did everyone think, who won the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Marquez last Saturday?  Judges Glenn Trowbridge (116-112) and Dave Moretti (115-113) favored Pacquiao.  Robert Hoyle called it a 114-114 draw.  The crowd booed when Pacquiao was announced the winner and Marquez was cheered as he left the ring.  Talk of a forth fight has already begun and the long awaited Pacquiao versus Mayweather bout has been in the news again as well.  If Pacquiao lost would the Pacquiao versus Mayweather bout draw as much interest?  Sounds like the decision was fueled by money so the Pacquiao versus Mayweather fight can draw the largest possible gate and PPV buys.

Tennis Player David Savic Banned for Life

The 659th ranked player on the ATP tour has been banned for life for fixing tennis matches and also fined $100,000.  The Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program found David Savic guilty of three violations including contriving or attempting to contrive the outcome of matches.

Horse Trainer Rick Dutrow's License Revoked

Well known horse trainer Rick Dutrow's New York trainer's license was recently revoked by the New York Racing and Wagering Board for ten years and fined $50,000 for a pattern of rules violations that have not been disclosed yet.  Dutrow is famously known for training 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown.