Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay Random
I remember the days when there were no online fantasy leagues and bookies didn't advertise on TV. The NFL was pretty damn popular back then, and the broadcasts were a lot less annoying to watch.
You see, there used to be this thing called ‘spectator sport’.
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Even before it was legal, the gambling angle was always a big part of NFL coverage. Jimmy the Greek had a regular spot on the CBS NFL broadcasts starting in the mid-70s and continued until he was fired after making racist comments on the air in the late 80s.
Fantasy sports have been around for decades. The oldest recognized one is 60 years old this year.
They may have been easier to ignore in the past, but the legal and illegal gambling and fantasy leagues have been a driving force behind the NFL's popularity for decades.