Tuesday, April 18, 2017
With the NFL and NHL about to move into Las Vegas for the first time, nearly half of the US population foresees the increased likelihood of players, referees or team officials gambling on the outcome of games.
A Seton Hall Sports Poll found that 46% responded yes to the question of increased likelihood for gambling on games, while 42% thought the likelihood would not increase.
The poll asked 687 adults (on both landline and cellphone) whether professional teams should be making their home in Las Vegas, and 47% responded yes, with only 27% no. 26% said they had no opinion. The poll, sponsored by The Sharkey Institute, has a margin of error of 3.8%.
When asked if the move to Las Vegas will tarnish the league's reputation, 21% said it would harm the NFL and 19% said it would harm the NHL.
"Those are high negatives," noted Rick Gentile, director of the Poll. "It is hard to imagine any other major American city that would provoke such concern."
On the matter of Las Vegas taxpayers funding the playing facilities, 45% approved of the practice, with 40% expressing disapproval and 15% registering "don't know." The numbers showed a dramatic demographic shift - 52% of those 18-29 approved public financing, while only 37% of those 60+ registered approval.
The NCAA has taken a couple of controversial positions on locating championship games. It refuses to host a championship in Las Vegas, and 50% approve of that decision with only 32% disapproving. It has also taken a stance that they will not put championship games in states that have so-called anti-LGBT laws. 45% agree with the NCAA's position; 37% disapprove, and 18% had no opinion.
One in Four Sees Need for More Women Coaching Women's Teams
The Poll asked several questions regarding women's sports and women coaches. The public seems perfectly fine with men coaching women's teams (82% approve), and with women coaching men's teams (80% approval). But one in four people (25%) thought it was a problem that the great majority of women's sports teams (collegiate and professional) are coached by men.
59% said they felt there was "not enough " coverage of women's sports by the media, with 30% saying it was the right amount and only 3% saying it was "too much."
"While people state there isn't enough coverage of women's sports," said Gentile, "media isn't incentivized to provide additional coverage because viewership and interest has been minimal. It's a bit chicken and egg; more interest yields more coverage, or does more coverage garner more interest."
Articles featuring the Poll's most recent results include:
Yahoo! Finance "Nearly Half of People Think NFL Players and Refs Will Bet on Games After Las Vegas Move"
The New York Times "As It Embraces Las Vegas, N.F.L. Is Awash in Gambling Contradictions"
The Record "Poll Shows Most Don't Think Pro Sports in Las Vegas Is an Issue"
Casino.org "Seton Hall Poll Shows Nearly One in Two Believe NFL Players and Refs Will Bet on Games in Las Vegas"
CalvinAyre.com"46% of Americans Fear Vegas Influence on Pro Sports Teams"