Sports betting discussions have long been a topic of sports radio shows, but the conversation was amplified this week after the Cleveland Browns removed Bernie Kosar from their pregame radio shows after he placed a ceremonial $19,000 bet on the team’s season finale once sports wagering became legal in Ohio. WFAN afternoon host Craig Carton believes he can tell who in the industry is and isn’t betting.
“I understand the Bernie Kosar situation, because if you’re calling the game, you don’t want a broadcaster having bet on that game,” co-host Evan Roberts said. “They’re call’s gonna be different. I love Mike, but we could always tell what Francesa had bet on based on his strong opinions on Monday. And by the way, that’s natural! That would happen me, too, if I was a big bettor.”
“I can listen to any sports talk radio show in the country and tell you if the guy’s got money on the game,” Carton said.
“I get why they wouldn’t want a broadcaster like Kevin Burkhardt, or Ian Eagle, or Tony Romo to bet on a game,” continued Roberts But the NBA?”
“If I can just say one thing on that, as an example, take Kevin Burkhardt,” said Carton. “Kevin Burkhardt doesn’t work for the NFL, but he’s not allowed to wager on sports cause it jades your coverage.”
Roberts struggled to understand the reasoning behind limiting sports betting for everyone involved in the NFL when it came to other sports.
“But isn’t that sort of ridiculous?,” Roberts countered. “Another sport that you have nothing to do with? Kevin’s not a great example ’cause he does baseball. I’m talking about a low-level employee. Someone who works on the Giants or Jets radio network. They can’t bet on the NBA? Come on.”
