The NCAA membership opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering. Sports wagering, as evidenced in the allegations in this case, has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests and jeopardize the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community. Everyone involved in athletics believes that sports competition should be appreciated for the inherent benefits related to participation of student-athletes, coaches and institutions in fair contests, not the amount of money wagered on the outcome of the competition. These events can serve as a wake-up call not only for the athletics community, but also the entire educational community from junior high school through college. Often, sports wagering is referred to as a victimless crime.
Illegal activities related to sports wagering have many victims, as evidenced today.
There may be questions on how this will affect the Arizona State men's basketball program from the NCAA's perspective. In cases such as this, the concern would be whether the institution knew or should have known that this activity was occurring. To date, there is no information indicating that the institution knew or should have known. What has occurred here today is a result of a societal problem, not just an Arizona State problem. We all must recognize the risks of involvement in sports wagering, and we all must curb any behavior that encourages involvement in sports wagering.