Columnist Jeff Haney: Betting lines or not, Las Vegas doesn’t need XFL

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 10:28 a.m.

Jeff Haney's sports betting column appears Wednesday. Reach him at 259-4041 or haney@vegas.com

A short compliment and a long complaint directed toward pro wrestling impresario Vince McMahon, who last week announced he's bringing his new football league, the XFL, to Las Vegas:

McMahon was on target when he called the NFL hypocritical for trying to pretend point spreads on its games do not exist, when in fact gambling has always pumped up interest (and television ratings) in pro football.

He promised XFL personalities will talk openly about the spread, the over/under -- and presumably the halftime and money lines as well. That's a refreshing view.

However, as McMahon's World Wrestling Federation has grown incredibly popular over the last decade, it has also grown incredibly obscene.

And in one aisle of a major toy store in Las Vegas, there are more than 30 dolls portraying WWF characters -- an indication McMahon's programs are aimed at youngsters.

Kids and the WWF. The late Howard Cosell would have called it "an unholy alliance."

A study by the Indiana University department of communications that tracked 50 televised WWF events found more than 1,600 incidents of wrestlers grabbing or pointing to their crotch; 157 incidents of wrestlers or fans giving the finger; and 128 examples of simulated sexual activity.

A segment of ESPN's "Outside the Lines" program revealed more WWF offenses. Giant Styrofoam middle fingers, for instance, are sold as souvenirs at WWF shows, along with several versions of T-shirts sporting vulgar slogans that cannot be printed in this newspaper.

If the XFL is going to adopt tactics such as these, Las Vegas doesn't need it. Families with kids certainly don't need it. And gamblers have enough things to bet on already (heck, even arena league games are lined).

For some reason, critics have likened McMahon to entertainers such as Howard Stern and George Carlin -- probably because all have achieved enormous success while embracing off-color humor.

Stern's radio program is not geared toward kids, though, and Carlin works clean for general audiences, confining his blue material to his nightclub act.

Besides, there is no Howard Stern memorabilia at Toys 'R' Us.

There are 30 dolls portraying WWF characters.

McMahon markets his product to children.

In doing so, he crosses a line from "edgy" to just plain creepy.

One notorious WWF pay-per-view show at New York City's Madison Square Garden last January was so raunchy, the Garden had to issue an apology afterward.

"Madison Square Garden is disturbed by what transpired at the WWF event on Jan. 23," the statement read, according to a report in the New York Post. "There was an intentional and significant departure within the event about which both the Garden and the public were unaware. ..."

Reportedly, the show featured simulated female nudity in addition to the usual profane WWF antics. As always, kids made up a significant portion of the audience.

Officials at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium should take note.

Will they be forced to offer a similar apology one day next winter, after an XFL game at the stadium?

Do they want to even take that chance?

Despite McMahon's track record with the WWF, the reaction of Las Vegans to the XFL's arrival seems to be one of giddy anticipation. "Bring it on," we're saying. "This'll be fun!"

Of course, this reflects America's love affair with the WWF.

Television ratings for pro wrestling are so high they're practically off the chart, with some 5 million viewers tuning in each week. Vince McMahon & Co. make a fortune on their pay-per-view shows as well.

All of which brings to mind Carlin's response to a talk-show host who asked him if we have a dope problem.

"Yes," he replied. "I believe there are too many dopes."