Source: NFL to fine players involved in Vegas arm wrestling tournament
David Purdum
ESPN Staff Writer
4/10/17
NFL players who participated in a made-for-TV arm wrestling tournament last week at a nightclub inside a Las Vegas casino will be fined, pending further investigation, a league source told ESPN.
More than 30 NFL players, active and retired, reportedly participated in The Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship, which took place April 5-9, at Hakkasan, a nightclub inside the MGM Grand Casino.
League personnel are prohibited from making promotional appearances at casinos or other gambling-related establishments. The policy is stated in the player manuals that are distributed to all players. The policy pertains to all NFL personnel.
The NFL has said it has not changed its gambling policy, even with the approved relocation of the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas.
In 2015, a fantasy football event slated to be held at a convention center connected to The Venetian in Las Vegas and featuring then-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was canceled, after players involved were informed by the league of potential fines.
Much like Romo's event, the arm wrestling was not heavily promoted. The NFL said it did not become aware of it until the contest had already begun.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and retired running back Marshawn Lynch were billed as team coaches. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, Raiders punter Marquette King, defensive end Mario Edwards and New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung also participated, according to USA Today.
The NFL Players Association did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The contest is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS on May 27-28, with the championship round shown on June 3.
A portion of the prize purses for both individual and team competition will be donated to charities of the player's choice, according to the event's website.
"The event organizers are aware and understanding of the league's position of needing to 'look into it further' as it relates to the event itself," a spokesperson for Encinal Entertainment Group, which organized the contest, told ESPN on Monday in an emailed statement. "They are respectful of the league's process and will have no further comment at this time."
David Purdum
ESPN Staff Writer
4/10/17
NFL players who participated in a made-for-TV arm wrestling tournament last week at a nightclub inside a Las Vegas casino will be fined, pending further investigation, a league source told ESPN.
More than 30 NFL players, active and retired, reportedly participated in The Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship, which took place April 5-9, at Hakkasan, a nightclub inside the MGM Grand Casino.
League personnel are prohibited from making promotional appearances at casinos or other gambling-related establishments. The policy is stated in the player manuals that are distributed to all players. The policy pertains to all NFL personnel.
The NFL has said it has not changed its gambling policy, even with the approved relocation of the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas.
In 2015, a fantasy football event slated to be held at a convention center connected to The Venetian in Las Vegas and featuring then-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was canceled, after players involved were informed by the league of potential fines.
Much like Romo's event, the arm wrestling was not heavily promoted. The NFL said it did not become aware of it until the contest had already begun.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and retired running back Marshawn Lynch were billed as team coaches. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, Raiders punter Marquette King, defensive end Mario Edwards and New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung also participated, according to USA Today.
The NFL Players Association did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The contest is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS on May 27-28, with the championship round shown on June 3.
A portion of the prize purses for both individual and team competition will be donated to charities of the player's choice, according to the event's website.
"The event organizers are aware and understanding of the league's position of needing to 'look into it further' as it relates to the event itself," a spokesperson for Encinal Entertainment Group, which organized the contest, told ESPN on Monday in an emailed statement. "They are respectful of the league's process and will have no further comment at this time."
