Michael C Murphy

@dannyfunt @dannyfunt plan on reading this (as I listen to the Book of Joe Podcast). There is another area of concern. The risk to the athletes. College and professional. An athlete is going to get hurt someday. The level of threats is concerning, player and family alike. It's out of hand.

I wrote EVERYBODY LOSES (out today!) because I believe sports fans—and really all Americans—deserve answers to basic questions that the people behind the betting boom have largely avoided. I was optimistic that I’d get to speak with sportsbook execs and league commissioners. But I was determined to shed light on how this industry really works, and how it thinks about customers, regardless. A reporting trip to New York is illustrative of what ended up happening. One of the first people I met that week was Chris Jones, then VP of communications at FanDuel. I assumed we were meeting to plan various interviews that he’d help arrange. But over the next 45 minutes, Jones explained why FanDuel would not be participating in my book. (He asked that I not share his reasons.) Afterward, I hustled across town to meet Nik Bonaddio, the former head of product at FanDuel. He was surprisingly reflective about his time there, conceding how “shitty” it was to offer misleading “risk-free” promotions and how he suspects that the vast majority of customers fail to understand that the house edge is considerably bigger on parlays, sportsbooks’ biggest moneymaker. Two days later, I took the train to the commuter town of Mamaroneck, home of Nigel Eccles, FanDuel's founding CEO. He, too, spoke expansively, expressing dismay about the trajectory of the sports betting industry. “I think their advertising is untruthful,” he said of sportsbooks in the U.S., including his former company. “They’re selling that you can win, but you can’t.” Toward the end of my trip, I met with Jessica Leeser, who had served as FanDuel’s director of brand and marketing insights. She shared revealing takeaways from internal customer surveys. For example, many of FanDuel’s customers said they were disinclined to recommend the app—not because they didn’t like the user experience, but because they were reluctant to admit they gamble. “Maybe there is some shame attached to it,” Leeser said, “or some embarrassment.” Over the ensuing months, I spoke with many other former and active employees at FanDuel, as well as at all the other top sportsbooks. (DraftKings was similarly uncooperative. I wasn’t even granted an interview with the person appointed, to much fanfare, as the industry’s first chief responsible gaming officer.) There are, to be sure, many people in the betting industry who insist sports gambling is perfectly safe and that customers are treated fairly. But the overall impression I gathered from interviewing more than 300 people is that sportsbooks are brazenly taking advantage of customers, and, in some cases, outright endangering them. A cautionary note from a former sportsbook executive sums that up. “You can make good money,” he told me, “but you don’t feel good about it, that’s for sure.” Americans have been cheated out of the sort of robust national debate that legalizing sports betting across the country would seem to warrant. I hope "EVERYBODY LOSES: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling" forces people to engage in that conversation, including those who would prefer this book come and go quietly. I could use your help. Anything you can do to spread the word is hugely appreciated. The link to the book is below 👇

@DaleMurphy3 Looking forward to hearing your name called. Wishing you all the best.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to my family and fans for their overwhelming support. Words truly cannot describe how incredible the past few months have been! I am so grateful for all of your videos, stories, comments, thoughts and every other way you have supported me—not just now but through the years. Thank you. Thank you.

@JustinCToscano add me to your list!

I’ve had some time on my hands and thought about starting an e-mail newsletter. I really love psychology — especially performance psychology — and this will just be a way to help add some positivity to your days. It’ll be free. If you’d like me to add you, reply to this.

@CHSElkBaseball Congrats!!

Happy 15th Anniversary to my wife Amy. Has given us three amazing kids and a crazy/awesome/incredible life. Together for 20+ years and thankful she can always be the one to keep me in line. Kenz, Js, T, and I are lucky to have her.

@JustinCToscano Your great commentary will be missed, especially how you highlighted the people-side of a player and they are much more than just an athlete.

An update: I’m no longer the Braves beat writer for the AJC. I won’t discuss the details of what occurred, but I did feel like I owed it to you all to thank you for your support in my time on the beat. Braves Country is really special. I’m already excited about whatever is next.

Way to go boys!!

#RaiderUp #RaiderGang Way to go boys!!!

@DaleMurphy3 @EatAtMurphs When we are in town to catch the Braves, @EatAtMurphys is always on our agenda.

Best fried cheese curds, cheesesteaks, wings, burgers, 80s vibe…south of the Mason-Dixon Line? #probably @EatAtMurphs

April 15, 1947, baseball changed for the best!! #jackierobinsonday

A fantastic baseball moment this day in history. Also one of my favorite Vin Scully calls… youtu.be/QjqYThEVoSQ?si…

Go Elks!

.@JakePaulick is the wrong guy to run on.

The Murphs… @Braves

**CATCHING COACHES AND CATCHERS** If you are a student of the game, I have a great resource for you. Over the last year, I have put together a catching Google Drive. Over 300 videos covering all facets of catching. Hit the RT and I will reach out on how to access it. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

100%

@RotoWear 100%

@JustinCToscano Congrats Justin!

Grateful to be nominated with this group of talented peers. The last few years in Atlanta have been the best and most rewarding of my professional career. I feel blessed to do this job — one that is, at its core, fun.

@JustinCToscano Welcome to our part of the world!

Cincinnati: Very underrated. One of my favorites.