NCAA Does 180 On Athletes Betting

After giving the matter some consideration, NCAA Division I schools are changing course and will not permit student-athletes to place bets on professional sports.  

In September, the NCAA Administrative Division I Committee adopted a proposal that would’ve permitted student-athletes and athletics department staff members to bet on professional sports. That decision has now been reversed.

“After a procedural 30-day period, two-thirds of Division I member schools have voted to rescind a previously approved rule change that would have allowed student-athletes and athletics department staff members to legally participate in sports betting on professional sports only,” the NCAA said in a statement. “Because sports betting rules are common legislation, the ban on all forms of betting — for sports in which the NCAA sponsors a championship — will remain in place for all three NCAA divisions.”

The rule change would’ve been instituted as of November 1. However, a vote was taken to delay the proposed change until November 22. Each Division I school was given 30 days to choose to rescind the proposal. Approval was needed from 75% of DI schools in order to put the new rule into use. More than two-thirds of the DI schools voted against the implementation of this new proposal.

The prohibition against betting on pro sports will also continue to be in place for student-athletes and athletics department staff members at NCAA Division II and III schools.

Concerns raised over rule change among NCAA leadership

Some NCAA conference leaders expressed concerns over the planned rule change. Among the more outspoken opponents of this decision was SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. He sent a letter outlining his concerns to NCAA President Charlie Baker on October 25.

“On behalf of our universities, I write to urge action by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to rescind this change and reaffirm the Association’s commitment to maintaining strong national standards that keep collegiate participants separated from sports wagering activity at every level,” Sankey wrote in his letter.

“If there are legal or practical concerns about the prior policy, those should be addressed through careful refinement – not through wholesale removal of the guardrails that have long supported the integrity of games and the well-being of those who participate.”

Recent NCAA gambling issues raised concerns

The same day that the news arrived about the rule change being rescinded, the NCAA was also announcing news of a gambling scandal at Temple University.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions released three infractions decisions related to sports betting violations in the Temple men’s basketball program.

The infractions involved Hysier Miller, a former men’s basketball student-athlete; Camren Wynter, a former special assistant to the men’s basketball coach; and Jaylen Bond, a former men’s basketball graduate assistant.

All three individuals bet on professional and collegiate sports, and Miller’s bets included multiple parlays on Temple men’s basketball games.

That infraction came on the heels of an NCAA investigation that uncovered evidence of game fixing involving basketball players from Fresno State and San Jose State.

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