Media, Law & Policy

Expert Commentary: The Implications of Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Association

Thursday, November 30, 2017, By Ellen Mbuqe

Attorney John Wolohan, a professor of Sports Law in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University, is available to speak to the issues surrounding Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Supreme Court will hold oral arguments on Monday, December 4 which involve a constitutional challenge to the federal ban on sports betting that could have dramatic impact on athletics.

He believes that the case is significant for a number of reasons, both in sports and society. His comments are below and he is available for further comment

  • “If New Jersey wins (which I think they will) there are about 20 states that will start up Vegas style sports betting (New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts being three). The states are looking at gambling revenue to offset local tax revenues. It is estimated that illegal sports betting is worth around $5 billion annually. The Super Bowl alone generates over $100 million in legal wagers in Nevada.”
  • “While the NCAA and the leagues argue that the law prohibiting states from adding sports gambling protects the integrity of the games, the leagues have been getting into betting and gambling for their own profits. Some of these activities include daily fantasy sports, teams moving to Vegas, and advertising.”
  • “The bigger picture of the case is the limit on federal powers over the states. Right now the 10th amendment states that any power not directly given to the federal government by the states is reserved for the states. The states control gambling within their states (not the federal government), therefore this case examines the ability of the federal government to prevent a state from doing something or in this case not regulating something.”

To set up an interview, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, director of news and PR at Syracuse University, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu or 315.443.1897 or Keith Kobland, media manager at Syracuse University, at kkboland@syr.edu or 315.443.9038.