Gambling in sport is by no means a new phenomenon. It’s been written about at length, each season heralding a new swathe of jarring sponsorships (RIP Brookvale) and controversy.
Category: sport
At least there's no immediate threat of the machines taking over... The lights are not long out on the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide and reviews are of the rave variety. The crowds turned up. Pundits pontificated excitedly - at excessive length - about a pink ball which ultimately behaved itself. And the cricket, despite … Continue reading Trust Issue: Cricket’s DRS Farce Continues
Sports journalism is a topical business by nature. Desperate to fill column inches, writers will always jump on a timely issue. A few months ago, the Women's Football World Cup was the bandwagon du jour. The plucky underdog narrative was available. And the Matildas duly obliged with a strong showing. "Turns out our girls are … Continue reading The Obscene Neglect of Women’s Football in Australia (and Everywhere Else)
It's a path frequently taken. Reach the pinnacle of a sport. Conduct teary retirement press conference. Receive cushy commentary gig for life. This is how it works, and that's fine. Inviting viewers to tap into the thoughts of the best in the business - especially those fresh out of the game - makes perfect sense. The problem arises in … Continue reading Shane Warne: Chief Symptom of the Ex-Pro Punditry Club
We’re grown-ups. Surely we have stuff to do… A ball moves. Hit or kicked or thrown by strangers. Who run. And jump. In formation. Some spit. Expectation swells and abates then swells again as the ball goes over the net. Or into it. Or over the line. Or through the thing. The numbers change. Another … Continue reading Why do we emotionally invest in sport?