Nick Laham | Getty Images
Five NFL players have been suspended for violating the National Football League’s gambling policy, the league announced today.
The policy bars anyone within the NFL from engaging in any sort of gambling in league facilities or venues, including practice facilities. The league said its review uncovered no evidence that inside information was used.
No games were compromised in consequence of the gambling, the NFL added.
Three players — Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore of the Detroit Lions, and Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders — will likely be suspended indefinitely, no less than until the tip of the 2023 season, for betting on NFL games last season.
Those players will give you the chance to petition for reinstatement at the tip of the season.
Two other Lions athletes — Stanley Berryhill and Jameson Williams — are suspended from playing in the primary six regular season games. They may give you the chance to take part in offseason and preseason activities.
Quintez Cephus #87 of the Detroit Lions catches the ball for a primary down through the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elsa | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images
The NFL’s crackdown comes as 33 states, including Michigan, and Washington, D.C., have launched legal betting markets since a landmark 2018 U.S. Supreme Court case paved the way in which for states to supply legal sports wagering.
Earlier this week, major pro leagues — the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, NASCAR and MLS — announced they were joining media corporations NBCUniversal and Fox to form a coalition that goals to manage sports-betting promoting because it floods television, web and print media.
Soon after the suspensions were announced, the Detroit Lions said they were releasing Cephus and Moore. In line with ESPN, the Lions became aware of the NFL’s investigation “a few month ago.”
“We’re dissatisfied by the choice making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson and can work with each players to make sure they understand the severity of those violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward,” Detroit Lions executive vice chairman and general manager Brad Holmes said in an announcement.
The Commanders said the team is aware of Toney’s suspension. “We’ve got cooperated fully with the NFL’s investigation since receiving notice and support the league’s findings and actions,” the team said in an announcement.
Shaka Toney #58 of the Washington Commanders stands through the national anthem against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
Cooper Neill | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images
Toney’s suspension is the most recent hit for the Commanders. Last week, the district’s attorney general said the Commanders can pay $625,000 to settle allegations that the organization did not return fans’ tickets deposits.Â
Former D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, who sued the Commanders last 12 months, alleged that since 1996 the football team has promised to return fans’ security deposits for premium seating but as an alternative pocketed the cash and spent it.
A Commanders spokesperson said in an announcement the team hasn’t collected security deposits in greater than a decade and has been “actively working to return any remaining deposits since 2014.”
Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of CNBC.
