http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...gambling-wagering-odds-tv-broadcast/71897470/
ESPN's shifting line on college football betting information
In the fourth quarter of a blowout college football game last Friday night, the announcers threw the broadcast back to the ESPN studios for an important development, accompanied by a highlight. Western Michigan’s touchdown only pulled the Broncos within three scores of Michigan State, so it wasn’t exactly a game-changing play — unless, that is, someone was playing a different sort of game.
As theme music played and a small graphic appeared — “COVER ALERT” — here was anchor Adnan Virk’s report:
“That’s right, a ‘cover alert’! Eighteen and a half was the point spread in favor of the Spartans, but that’s Zach Terrell to Corey Davis, so now that’s making things interesting with regards to the line, 34-17.”
It was perhaps the first real evidence of what appears to be a fairly significant shift by ESPN. Along with “cover alerts,” the network’s coverage of college football’s first weekend included increased discussion of point spreads and even the “over-under,” or the total points expected to be scored in a game, as well as specific segments on various shows focused directly on betting. One of
College GameDay's most popular moments is its pick segment. This season some picks are made against the spread.
College athletic administrators noticed. Several told USA TODAY Sports the shift is concerning.
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