In 1983, PBS did a "Frontline" story on the NFL entitled, "An Unauthorized History of the NFL."
Publication: WGBH Educational Foundation
Boston, MA
PBS Frontline #101
1983
Hosted by Jessica Savage
Good luck trying to view this; I have been searching for a copy for years.
Anyway, An Unauthorized History of the NFL is a MUST SEE for the sports gambling enthusiast providing much insight into the history of NFL and its association with the gambling and underground worlds. Revealing individuals such as NFL owners, coaches, players, casinos, syndicate members historically linked with NFL game fixing as well as other dubious dealings. An Unauthorized History of the NFL also interviews a criminal affiliate who details how 4 NFL games were fixed in each of the 1968, 1969 and 1970 seasons including details of which team associates were vital to the fixing of games, how their pay structure was devised as well as how payments were delivered…the essential workings of the fix.
I am sure some syndicate probably purchased the rights from PBS years ago.
Additional recommended viewings...
The movie “Casino” as well as the video series “The History of Las Vegas” links many of the specific syndicated members who directly or indirectly have played rolls in this game within the game. Both highly recommended viewings along with "An unauthorized history of the NFL."
For example, in the 1995 Martin Scorsese movie Casino, Star Dust casino manager Allen Glick (portrayed by Kevin Pollak) had Real Estate ties with California Real Estate agent Tamaro Morane as well as Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis (not divulged by the movie). When Morane felt she was being swindled by Real Estate deals involving Glick, she threatened to expose damaging information about Glick to the FBI. As the story goes, the Chicago Crime family which controlled the Star Dust through their front man Glick did not want to see him (Glick) become publicly “dirtied” by this potentially incriminating information which threaten or revoke his casino operating license thus, the family commissioned four .22 caliber silencing pills to be inserted into the mouth and ear of Morane. A scene depicted in the movie Casino. Real Estate investments have long been a (suspected) way for the syndicate to “laundry” their gambling revenues into legitimacy. Allen Glick once offered Al Davis a 25% stake in a 25 million dollar Oakland, California shopping mall for $5000!
Did you know that the 1946 Chicago / New York Title Game revealed (prior to game) that a fix was attempted, and thus thwarted? Attempts were made to pay New York players…to lose? Reminds me of the movie Eight Men Out, which portrayed the 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal; another highly recommended movie viewing.
NFL Players such as Alex Karas, Paul Hornung, Joe Namath, John Hadel, Lance Alworth, Jake Scott, Craig Hartwig, Kenny Stabler, Dan Pastorini have all had syndicated affiliations, known gambling ties as well as suspected game fixing involvement. Coaches such as Frank Kush and Don Shula are also known to have had affiliations with syndicated criminal members.
Owners such as Carol Rosenblum, Art Modell, Eugene V. Klein, John Mecom Jr, Al Davis, Edward J. DeBartelo have all had known syndicated affiliations. Incidentally, Edward J. DeBartelo was denied a MLB ownership four times due to known criminal affiliations by commissioner Bowie Kuhn. However, the NFL gladly accepted DeBartelo’s first attempt to own an NFL franchise, the San Francisco 49ers, which he promptly gave to his son Edward J. DeBartelo Jr.
Boy how the Football and Baseball leagues have historically differed, when you consider that “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and Pete Rose have forever been inducted into Baseball’s hall of shame, while Lance Alworth (1978), Paul Hornung (1986), Joe Namath (1985), Don Shula (1997), Al Davis (1992), Pete Rozelle (1985), have all been inducted into football’s hall of fame!
Syndicated involvement is highly speculated in the April 1979 death of Los Angeles Ram team owner Carol Rosenblum who drowned while swimming in the ocean off his Florida home. A Montreal Canadian tourist (Raymond Tanjuay) witnessed the event, stating that two strange men carried the body of Rosenblem onto the beach front of his home before instructing Tanjuay to immediately leave while they evacuated the area. Tanjuay claims to have seen what appeared to be a scuba driver swimming from the seen. It is theorized that a scuba diver held the avid swimmer Rosenblum under until his lungs filled with the deadly H2O substance. Rosenblum was suspected of betting against his formally own team (Baltimore Colts) using an organized crime affiliate (Wiese) to carrier bets to Las Vegas. Two weeks following Rosenblum’s death Wiese was found poisoned by lead perforations to the cranium by the LAPD. Perhaps Rosenblum defaulted upon a large marker?
Former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle was hand picked by League Team Owners to commission NFL. Team Owners known to have associations with organized crime. When Rozelle was questioned by PBS’s Jessica Savage regarding allegations suspecting a long time history of NFL players, coaches, owners involvement with organized crime affiliates, gambling allegations and the fixing of NFL games, as well as his thoughts in allowing the FBI to assist the NFL in investigating such allegations, Rozelle replied that it was the policy of the NFL to handle such matters internally while discrediting any suggestions of FBI assistance.
For those seeking a humorous take on gambling, I highly recommend “The Deli” a movie which unfortunately has not been released (yet?) in DVD format.