97.1 The Ticket host Mike Valenti made it very clear on his show Tuesday that he takes money from sportsbooks operating in Michigan to promote their businesses and talk sports betting.
Valenti was leading into a discussion about a story that broke over the weekend involving student-athletes at Iowa and Iowa State who were discovered to have been betting – an NCAA violation.
He said he has no problems with being upfront about doing endorsements for the sportsbooks.
“I don’t make any allusions about it. I’ve said it when speaking to the client, I’ve said it when I’m speaking to you guys, I’ve said it when we do the podcast. We make money off of sports betting. There’s nothing to hide from that,” he said. “I’ve always said it’s gonna be bad for some people. Like you can’t run from that. I don’t think you can talk about it honestly.”
“For most of us, it’s fun – something to do – whatever,” Valenti added. “You bet what you can handle. For others, they’re gonna ruin their lives. It’s no different than any other vice in this world. So I don’t apologize for it.”
Mike went on to say that questioning whether or not colleges should re-evaluate partnerships with sportsbooks is ridiculous when you consider the networks that broadcast major college sports are also partnered with sportsbooks.
“We are in bed with the sportsbooks. This is a business. I don’t run from that,” he said. “But I find it hilarious that now I’m supposed to be outraged that these players are betting.”
