The Billion Dollar Heist?

 Are NFL Games Fixed? The Billion-Dollar Connection Between Football and Gambling

By Candace Goodman | The Good Hour Investigates

For decades, whispers of NFL game-fixing have circulated in sports circles and gambling communities alike. But what if the rumors aren’t just the rants of disgruntled fans? What if the NFL's connection to the gambling industry is far more intricate than the general public has been led to believe? In this in-depth investigation, *The Good Hour* uncovers the tangled history between America’s most powerful sports league and the world of high-stakes betting—shedding light on the possibility that the games we watch every Sunday may not be as pure as they seem.

A Deeply Rooted Relationship: The NFL and Gambling’s Shared History

To understand how gambling and the NFL became so intertwined, we must rewind to the 1960s when legendary Las Vegas oddsmaker Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder played a pivotal role in bringing sports betting into mainstream sports culture. Snyder, a television personality on The NFL Today, subtly weaved point spreads and betting lines into casual conversations, introducing millions of viewers to the world of sports wagering.

However, the real breakthrough in legitimizing the NFL’s relationship with gambling came in 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing states to legalize sports betting. Almost overnight, the floodgates opened, and the NFL—an organization that had long distanced itself from gambling—embraced the very industry it once condemned.

Behind the scenes, it was Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft who played instrumental roles in brokering partnerships between the NFL and gambling giants. Jones had been investing in gaming-related ventures for years, while Kraft held equity in DraftKings. Their influence helped pave the way for the NFL to openly welcome sportsbooks as official league sponsors.

The NFL’s Multi-Billion Dollar Betting Partnerships

Fast forward to 2024, and the NFL is now deeply embedded in the gambling industry, with official sports betting partners including DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN Bet, and BetMGM.

- FanDuel: Signed a five-year deal worth $1 billion to become an official sports betting partner of the NFL.
- DraftKings: Agreed to a partnership valued at $1.5 billion, integrating betting lines directly into NFL broadcasts.
- ESPN Bet: The Disney-backed platform joined the fray in a $2 billion agreement to incorporate betting content into NFL media.
- BetMGM: Invested $750 million in NFL promotions and in-game betting features.

With such staggering figures at play, it’s no surprise that skeptics—including renowned investigative journalist Dan Moldea—have long suggested that the league might have more control over game outcomes than it admits.

Dan Moldea: The Man Who Blew the Whistle

Dan Moldea, a veteran investigative journalist and author of Interference: How Organized Crime Influences Professional Football, has spent years exposing the NFL’s connections to gambling. According to Moldea, the NFL has long maintained relationships with individuals tied to organized crime, particularly in the realm of sports betting.

In his book, Moldea uncovers evidence of fixed games, detailing suspicious officiating decisions, questionable play-calling, and behind-the-scenes influence that may have shaped the outcomes of certain high-profile matches.

One of his most infamous claims? That Super Bowl III (1969) was fixed, ensuring Joe Namath and the New York Jets covered the spread against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. According to sources cited in Moldea’s research, Mafia-connected gamblers placed massive bets on the Jets, reaping millions when Namath’s “guaranteed win” came true.

Investigations, Conspiracies, and Unanswered Questions

Over the years, various scandals have fueled the belief that the NFL might manipulate outcomes to maximize betting revenues and TV ratings. Some of the most infamous cases include:

1. The 2002 Super Bowl XXXVI Controversy
The New England Patriots’ upset over the St. Louis Rams led to speculation that the game was rigged to kickstart the Patriots’ dynasty, bolstering NFL viewership and revenue. The Rams, favored by two touchdowns, lost in a game filled with controversial officiating.

2. The 2018 NFC Championship Game: Saints vs. Rams
A blatant pass interference call was ignored by officials, helping the Rams reach the Super Bowl instead of the Saints. The fallout was massive, with lawsuits filed and accusations that the NFL intentionally manipulated the outcome to boost Super Bowl viewership in Los Angeles—a critical market for the league.

3. The Tim Donaghy Revelation
While Donaghy was an NBA referee, his admission that he manipulated games for betting purposes raised concerns that NFL referees could be involved in similar activities. The NFL employs part-time referees, making them susceptible to external influence.

4. The Recent Rise of In-Game Betting
With in-game betting now a multi-billion-dollar market, conspiracy theorists argue that game outcomes are more vulnerable to manipulation. Adjustments in play-calling, questionable penalty flags, and sudden momentum shifts all fuel speculation that games are being subtly influenced to impact betting lines.

Expert Opinions: The Debate Continues

For the Defense: The NFL’s Stance
The NFL has vehemently denied all allegations of game-fixing, stating that its officiating remains independent and that the league has implemented **strict integrity measures, including:

• Hiring ex-FBI agents to monitor suspicious betting activity.
• A dedicated “Integrity Unit” to investigate claims of match-fixing.
• Banning players and coaches from gambling on NFL games.

The Prosecution: Investigators Speak Out

Former FBI agent Vincent P. Caruso, who specialized in organized crime and sports corruption, argues that gambling’s grip on the NFL is too deep to ignore.

“When you have billions of dollars on the line, the potential for manipulation is always there. The NFL may claim it polices itself, but history has shown that leagues often turn a blind eye to what benefits them financially.”

Similarly, sports economist Dr. Thomas Wiggins states:

“The NFL’s partnerships with betting companies are a conflict of interest. The league profits from gambling, and the idea that it wouldn’t influence games—whether directly or indirectly—is naïve.”

Final Verdict: Are NFL Games Fixed?

While there is no definitive proof that the NFL actively fixes games, the historical connections to gambling, lucrative sportsbook partnerships, and suspicious game outcomes leave room for doubt. What’s certain is that the NFL, once an opponent of gambling, now fully embraces it—creating a system where integrity and profit constantly collide.

As sports betting continues to grow, so will the scrutiny. Whether the NFL is complicit or merely a beneficiary, one thing is clear: where there’s money, there’s motive.

What do you think? Are NFL games manipulated for financial gain?