Football season is here, and with it comes an increase in betting action. But as the spotlight grows, so too do the unfortunate stories of athletes who step over the line.
Michigan State’s quarterback Aidan Chiles, in a media scrum on Thursday, was asked how important it is for his team to make a statement for the season opener next Saturday against Florida Atlantic. His response made headlines.
“If you bet, take the over,” he said twice.
Aidan Chiles on Spartans’ season opener: “If you bet, take the over.” pic.twitter.com/a9XK6yty7p
— Aidan Champion (@champion_aidan) August 22, 2024
His answer seemingly blurred the line between the betting market and the players competing, a red flag for the NCAA who has been trying to separate the issue to keep the integrity of the sport.
The delayed response
At the time of Chiles’ comment, the Michigan State-Florida Atlantic game total actually dropped from 48.5 to 47.5 with 71% of the money on the Under with BetMGM. However, a few hours later, the liability flipped with more money on the Over.
Now 64% of money is on the OVER. https://t.co/NurdgnSkgx
— John Ewing (@johnewing) August 23, 2024
The NCAA has not weighed into the comment. But certainly, comments like these will be a headache for a governing body that has shown an eagerness to act. The NCAA has been lobbying states to ban prop betting (succeeding in some). The athletic association does provide e-learning programs for students about sports betting. While most is on the harms of betting, they do include some on the “risks sports betting poses to the integrity of the game.”
