Cavaliers HC J.B. Bickerstaff has been harassed by gamblers
The world of sports betting continues to grow and become a prominent part of the major sports leagues. Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been impacted by it as he received threats from gamblers last season via ESPN.
“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said before the Cavaliers hosted the Miami Heat. “So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”
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Bickerstaff reported the incident, and the gambler was located, but no charges were placed. The element of sports betting has only gained more prominence, which he believes has made his job more difficult.
“It brings added pressure,” he said. “It brings a distraction to the game that can be difficult for players, coaches, referees, everybody that’s involved in it. And I think that we really have to be careful with how close we let it get to the game and the security of the people who are involved in it.
“Because again, it does carry a weight. A lot of times the people who are gambling like this money pays their light bill or pay their rent, and then the emotions that come from that. So I do think we’re walking a very fine line and we have to be extremely careful in protecting everybody who’s involved.”
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There is a fine line that can’t be crossed, especially given how easily it can impact professional sports leagues such as the NBA.
As sports betting gains more steam, coaches and players will continue to run into situations like this.
