Gambling

Earlier this week, Peter Shilton [who many consider the greatest England keeper of all time -- but not me] and his missus appeared on Sky Sports News condemning the promotion of gambling organizations in English football. He said that having kids wearing team shirts sponsored by gambling organizations inures them to gambling and makes them easy marks the rest of their lives. I couldn't agree more.

Several years ago, I stopped buying Fulham shirts with gambling sponsors for just that reason. And, the sad thing is that gambling organizaions have gotten into the US in a big way. Here in the Peoples Republic of South Texas, the Texas Rangers broadcast on the Bally television network, and feature commercials for casinos.

All the while, Premier League broadcasts in the US feature inserts giving the odds on each of the two sides' opportunities to win -- basically advising viewers of the odds in Las Vegas.

Folks, we're just a few steps away from having our sport relegated to wrestling. Rant over.