Bernie Kosar was relieved of his duties on the Cleveland Browns Radio Network on Sunday. He placed the first legal sports bet in Ohio. That violated the NFL’s gambling policy, which prohibits team employees from betting on any game. Kosar said he was a private contractor and did not think it would be an issue. None the less, he said that he apologized on his Tipico podcast.
“In no way do you want to put them on the spot. And in no way was this done in the interest of benefiting us. It was 100% was going to help people and ex-players that really need it,” the former Browns quarterback said.
Kosar placed a $19,000 bet on Tipico. He picked Cleveland to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season finale for the two teams. He planned to donate the money he won to charity.
Tipico has not commented on their role in the bet. Legal Sports Report reached out to both the sportsbook and the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Tipico did not respond. The OCCC issued a statement that read “The Commission is aware of the situation involving Mr. Kosar, however, this is a violation of NFL policy.”
“I’m sorry I had to put them in this position,” Bernie Kosar said of the Browns. “I didn’t want to put them in this position. But because I’m not an employee, I didn’t think this was going to be an issue.”
