Editorial: Flag thrown on NFL rejection of LV ads

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 | 9:23 a.m.

Here's a quote from Dennis Lewin, a senior vice president of the National Football League, as reported by The Wall Street Journal: "An association between the NFL and gambling -- even in an advertising context -- could have a uniquely negative effect on the public's perception of our sport, its integrity and our athletes." The quote was contained in the story about how the NFL has rejected ads during the Super Bowl promoting Las Vegas as a tourist destination.

Let's try this quote: "An association between the NFL and beer -- even in an advertising context -- could have a uniquely negative effect ..." Lewin wouldn't dream of saying that, even though beer, featured prominently in Super Bowl ads, could be associated with drunken driving and domestic violence, not to mention illegal sports betting down at the corner bar. The NFL is correct to strictly police its players, owners and officials -- the game could indeed suffer if they were linked to sports gambling. But we cannot comprehend how ads promoting Las Vegas tourism could have a negative effect on public perception, particularly when estimates of worldwide illegal gambling on the Super Bowl reach as high as $4 billion -- a pittance compared to the $80 million expected to be legally wagered in Nevada.