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.

Wayne Rooney's Father Arrested in Betting Scam

Famous Manchester United player Wayne Rooney's father, uncle and seven other people were recently arrested over allegations of a soccer betting scam.  Allegations stem from an irregular betting pattern being bet on a red card being given during a game between Motherwell and Hearts of the Scottish Premier League last December which paid 10/1.  The arrested player for Motherwell, Steve Jennings allegedly got himself sent off deliberately during the match.  Bookmakers noticed the irregular pattern after multiple people bet on this prop which triggered a nine-month investigation.

South Carolina Point Shaving Rumors

Last week rumors that South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was involved with point shaving surfaced.  The same sports books that correctly suspected Toledo a few years ago have dismissed these rumors and state they have not seen any unusual betting patters.  Still seems like a very strange coincidence that this very same quarterback was recently dismissed from the program the day before the rumors surfaced but for failing an alcohol test.  If the cat was not out of the bag I'd say keep your eye on this program if anyone else may be involved which is usually the case but now it's probably too late.

Olympic Boxing Fixed

The BBC reported two weeks ago that the International Amateur Boxing Association is investigating corruption in Olympic boxing.  Allegations have surfaced that Azerbaijan was to be guaranteed two gold medals in boxing at next year's Olympics after millions of dollars were paid for the fix.  Click here to read more.

More Evidence Against Lance Armstrong

Cyclist Lance Armstrong reportedly made payments through a front company in Switzerland to a physician who was banned for doping.  Armstrong's former training advisor Michele Ferrari was also behind the anonymous company mentioned.  Swiss and Italian investigators reported this information recently to worldwide news outlets.

Phantom Call

Alright this one angered me because I got the short end of the stick this time.  Did anyone else see the Chicago Bears 89-yard TD trick return nullified by a phantom call last weekend?  The Bears were a 4 point home dog to the Packers and the total was set at 45.5. With about a minute left and the Bears trailing 27-17 the Bears pulled off a sweet fake from Devin Hester but was actually fielded on the other side of the field and ran back for a TD by Johnny Knox. Regardless of the extra point it would have pushed the total over and with the extra point the spread in favor of the Bears.  The trick play the Bears had been practicing worked like a charm but of course it was too good to be true for Vegas and the National Fix League (NFL).  Don't get me wrong I love the NFL, it's my gambling specialty so I don't go calling fix every time I lose but this one was obvious.  The referee initially called holding on number 29.  Well that's weird, the Bears don't even have a player with number 29.  To cover his tracks he then calls it on number 21 Corey Graham who was about 35 yards away from the play and had no direct impact on the run back, nor was it a hold.  Not only did Bears and over bettors suffer, the fans did too in what was once of the best trick plays in a long time even mentioned by opposing quarterback Aaron Rodgers.