The more we know the better: How the AFL’s NBA-style gamble on injury could come unstuck

The AFL typically looks to the NFL for its lead: using a salary cap, the draft, the “any given Sunday” principle where any team can win, and Snoop Dogg as appropriate half-time entertainment. But it is the NBA they should be looking at right now.

You might have read and glossed over – or glazed over, looking at a story on a sport for seven-foot blokes that doesn’t engage you – but the NBA is dealing with a gambling scandal that touches the biggest name in the biggest basketball competition in the world.

The AFL could be staring down serious sports betting trouble if it doesn’t learn from the drama unfolding in the NBA.Credit: The Age

A coach, a player and a former player turned coach face federal criminal charges over betting. One of them, Chauncey Billups, the ex-player turned coach, is also linked to a Mafia-controlled poker scam ripping off celebrities. But let’s keep things to the basketball for now.

Another key figure involved, Damon Jones, is a former teammate of LeBron James – the biggest name in the sport and one of the best players ever. Jones was also James’ friend and his shooting coach.

James told Jones he was carrying an injury and would not play a coming game. Before the news got out, Jones allegedly passed on the information to a friend to load up bets on James’ team losing the game without him. They did lose.

James, it must be said, was unaware his friend had used the information, and faces no charge.

In another case, a player – Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat – allegedly told a friend he had an injury and was going to pull out of a match early. The friend laid bets using this information and Rozier did exit the game early.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar, and one of the greatest players of all-time, LeBron James.Credit: AP

Interestingly, in this case the NBA had investigated and decided Rozier had a legitimate injury – he missed subsequent games with the injury – and has not faked it for benefit. They couldn’t find enough evidence to fine or suspend the player.

The FBI thought otherwise and Rozier now faces a federal indictment.

What has this got to do with AFL football? Everything and nothing.

Australian rules football has largely learnt a lot of its lessons about spot betting and access to privileged information from cricket scandals. Given the volume of money punted on football now, and the dangers it presents, the reaction from the NBA points to why the AFL needs to look a little deeper.

From left: Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavalier Damon Jones all face charges. Credit: AP

The NBA sent a memo to all of its clubs this week warning of the need for greater transparency and frequency over injury reports.

The NBA is now again reviewing player injury reports. Several years ago, to improve transparency, the NBA added to its injury reporting with teams now required to disclose the status of players within specific time frames ahead of the next game.

Terry Rozier in action for the Heat in the pre-season.Credit: AP

“With sports betting now occupying such a significant part of the current sports landscape, every effort must be made to ensure that players, coaches, and other NBA personnel are fully aware of the dire risks that gambling can impose upon their careers and livelihoods; that our injury disclosure rules are appropriate; and that players are protected from harassment from bettors,” the NBA memo to all 30 clubs read.

Which brings us back to the AFL, which will be interested to learn that the NFL is also tightening up on injury reports. The American league is looking at sanctions for the Baltimore Ravens over the availability of Lamar Jackson, who was listed as available to play but missed a third straight game with a hamstring injury.

The day after the FBI charged Jones, Rozier and Billups, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 of his clubs reminding players about that league’s gambling policy. In 2023, the NFL suspended nine players for breaching its policy.

There is no evidence of an NBA-style mis-use of information in the AFL, but the NBA experience is instructive.

AFL clubs take a desultory approach to injuries. Typically, the primary concern is not about gamblers so much as opposition coaches and keeping the other team in the dark as long as possible about injuries. This is also slightly amusing because the opposition club, with its forward scouts, is normally the best source of information about injuries at a rival club.

Culturally in the AFL, clubs have felt little responsibility to their fans and members to inform them of the health of their players, but this integrity threat of gambling should produce a new level of welcome openness.

There was the situation of a player who had “hamstring awareness” when he came off in a game (and then missed four weeks), while the club listed him as a fitness test for the next game. The extent of injuries is often not known – this isn’t about holding a blowtorch to feet, it is about giving the best available, accurate information.

On an allied matter, and not to single out any club in particular, but, one, shall we say feline club is notorious for making late team changes before matches. It has become almost a default position.

They argue, quite reasonably, that they are doing nothing outside the rules so they will keep doing as they please with their team. What is the problem? Even though it might be frustrating to the fan or outsider, they are right – they are doing nothing wrong.

But those sorts of late changes are the type of things the NBA is looking at tightening because of the danger they present.

The AFL will insist they have tight regulations around gambling and the laying of bets, but information is key to a gambler. Greater transparency on injuries mitigates that risk.

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