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Now that Vick has plead guilty, our nation can turn its attention to settling a more pressing question: Which is worse, killing dogs or betting on dogs?
The reasonable answer: Dog killing is despicable, heinous and disturbing. Illegal sports gambling by NFL players is prohibited -- so the NFL will factor in the gambling element when it comes to determining Michael Vick's fate as a football player. But Vick will always be remembered as -- and pay the steepest price for -- killing dogs.
But what do I know? I don't get paid to write opinions like this.
Here's what extremely well-compensated studio announcers Bob Costas, Peter King, Tiki Barber, and Chris Collingsworth had to say on NBC's Football Night in America. (Thanks to Jon Stewart we can laugh at some very strange commentary.)
Costas: "We're looking at Michael Vick not showing up in the NFL until again 2010."
Stewart: "My god, that's almost 28 dog years from now."
Collingsworth: "Peter, what about the gambling? The dog fighting might be the least of his concerns."
King: "You said it absolutely right. I am told the League is as concerned, maybe more so, about the gambling aspect than about the dog fighting."
Really? Roger Goodell has been masterful in his statements since becoming NFL commish. It's very questionable that the NFL, the most well-oiled machine in professional sports, would put out something so greasy. No question the gambling aspect compounds Vick's problems, but this is not a rock/paper/scissors game -- where gambling smashes dog killing.
The whole exchange is classic -- and worth viewing...but you must do so on Comedy Central's website, not mine. Viacom (which owns Comedy Central) is suing Youtube.com for a $1 billion. Of greater concern: My wife, Debbie Spander, is a lawyer...get ready for the punchline...at Comedy Central. If I can avoid receiving a cease and desist letter from my wife...on corporate letterhead...that's a good day.
But she will happily have a smackdown with debate Youtube's chief counsel on this very issue at the ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries in NYC on October 13. (See page 9 of the brochure.)
I agree that Michael Vick should be remembered as a dog killer more so than a gambler however, if gambling is what the NFL in most concerned with so be it. He will still be sentanced by the law as well. I think the only reason that the gambling aspect is talked about so much is because gambling is what may effect his NFL supension the most. The NFL must follow textbook. Also, even though sports fans may think that the gambling is an equal offense surely the public (especially animal lovers) do not. All and all Vick will be remembered for dog killing.
It is amazing that Viacom is pushing for 1 BILLION! I had no idea that this kind of dispute could even consitute that kind of asking price. It suprises me that Youtube.com made such a large mistake for their line of business. You would think Youtube.com would know all the rules by now. Good thing Isenburg's wife works for Comedy Central or he might have been next.
Posted by: Amy Willams | September 13, 2007 at 11:57 AM
We can talk about Vick until we are blue in the face, but in the end it comes down to one thing and that is that he was fighting dogs. Today they kind of frown on that because one it's illegal and two it's not right if your a dog lover like me. Hey I'm not going to judge him everybody makes mistakes, I just wish I was perfect.
matty
Posted by: matthew faulkner / http://youronlinegamingresources.blogspot.com | January 09, 2008 at 11:59 AM