The Maryland Sports Blog

The United States has always been known as one of most sports-loving countries in the world, but the events of 2011 have shown that the nation’s infrastructure is set up to favor some forms of recreational entertainment more than others. American gamblers are all too familiar with this unfortunate truth, but it’s impossible to deny that poker players in Maryland have seen more than their fair share of hard times this year.

Unlike gamblers elsewhere in the US, poker players in Maryland are suffering under a number unique provisions in the state’s gaming laws that specifically disallow monetized poker competitions on the ridiculous basis that that it doesn’t qualify as a sporting activity.

This distinction of offline and online poker as an illegal gambling practice seems particularly strange in light of the state’s endorsement of lotteries, slots, and other casino favorites as sports, and thus legally permissible gambling activities. State gaming regulations are notably inconsistent in this regard; poker fits every possible logical definition of a sporting activity, but it is nevertheless expressly forbidden.

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley spent much of 2011 in vocal opposition of federal moves toward nationwide gambling legislation, claiming that national attempts at state-endorsed online casino regulation would necessarily infringes on states’ rights to dictate local gaming laws. Additionally, in a letter addressed to those present at a special Congressional hearing focused on the issue of online gaming, Governor O’Malley attempted to shed light on Maryland’s anti-poker provisions by explaining that the game’s wild popularity could pose a threat to the state’s pre-existing gambling programs, namely the Maryland Lottery and statewide slots competitions.

The anti-poker legislation that Governor O’Malley supports so strongly has also effectively left players seeking reimbursement from providers during the aftermath of Black Friday to their own devices. While it may be easy – and, in many cases, profitable – for lawmakers to dismiss the intricacies of online poker legality as a strictly political concern, millions of innocent poker players haven’t had that luxury.

To add insult to injury, it almost seems as if Maryland policy makers have gone out of their way to punish poker players for participating in their favorite sport. This is certainly the case for a number of jilted online casino players from Maryland who have been repeatedly denied reimbursement of their frozen accounts with poker providers such as Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars. Then in June 2011, they were faced with the announcement that the Anne Arundel County Police Department had received some $470,000 in connection with federal Internet gambling and poker investigations.

Although the future of poker in the state of Maryland has yet to be determined, it’s become clear to millions of gamblers that both state and federal gaming legislators have grown resistant to the principles of fair play.

The content was contributed by WWW.POKER.CA.

Hey guys, sorry that I haven’t been writing much lately I have been very busy. An important topic that I have wanted to write about is making connections and networking. We have all been told how important it is to stay connected with peers and respected members of the sports industry but sometimes getting connected is the hardest part.

I found that everyone says to stay aggressive and hungry, but when does that become boarder-line stalker and desperate? I agree 100% that connections make everything easier and networking is an amazing tool, how exactly does one really do it? I have been to several job fairs and networking events in sports and based off my experiences nothing came from it. I believe the age of established professionals wanting to connect and mentor the younger generation is almost gone.

While I think that the sports industry paid networking events are a waste of time, I believe that networking can still be done organically. I believe that you pick up people along the way that you connect with through your experiences.

For example, some my Riptern buddies (Aberdeen IronBird interns summer 2010) have became great friends of mine. I have made great relationships and friendships with people at the New York Islanders. As of more recently, the friends and connections that I have made at the New York Yankees will help me greatly in the future.


I believe the trick to networking is just to go for it. As my dad always says, the worse thing they could say is no and you are right back in the same spot you were in. Chances are that the person that blows you off won’t remember you and with that there is virtually no risk. I believe that you just have to get over the fear of rejection.

I also believe that you have to be willing to help others in similar situations to yours. A quick story, a friend of mine found out my experiences and that I interned and have a good relationship with the New York Islanders. She told me that her friend is trying to break into the sports industry and was looking at interning there. I made a few calls and he was set to interview, until he got a better internship. She asked me why I was so willing to help and my answer, “if it was me I would hope someone would help me out”. That’s really my philosophy on the topic.

Overall networking is a really great tool and you meet some pretty great people along the way. Staying connected is great. Now shameless plugs… follow me on twitter at @a_martinian or add me on LinkedIn at Abe Martinian… Isn’t it time we got connected?

The answer is actually quite simple: it’s marketing.

Everyone always asks me “Oh you want to be in marketing? …What is that again?” On the most basic level, marketing provides the sales department with the necessary information that is needed which then in turn is shared with the public. Because of the relationship between sales and marketing,  sales, advertising, public relations and other departments can actually be placed under the marketing umbrella.

Marketing is one of the most important factors in running a successful sport franchise. Besides the obvious of having a winning team and season, strategic marketing is the best and smartest thing that a sports franchise can engage in.

For example,  Ripken Baseball’s Aberdeen IronBirds have sold out every season since they were established, regardless of whether or not they have had a winning season. Why? Because they have the right people in place. On the other hand, however, look at the Tampa Bay Rays. While they are in fact a winning organization, they struggle with ticket sales, even including playoff games.

Great marketing really allows the sales department to “work their magic”, which in turn makes for a successful overall organization. With sales being the front man of the marketing team, they do in fact have a different responsibility than the rest; their goals are the same however the way they carry those goals out is a completely different procedure… but thats for another article.

Marketing really drives the sports world. From advertisements to promotions,  it is all for a common goal: to get you into the stadium to see and experience your favorite sports teams.

Until next time, keep buying those tickets.

WWWYKI

Hey everybody! My name is Abe Martinian and I am the writer for the Sports Marketing page on MSB. Just wanted to take a moment and let you know a little about me. I am a New Yorker through and through (insert boo’s here) and I graduated from Towson University in Dec. 10′ with a focus in Marketing.

I am a huge N.Y. Ranger, N.Y. Jets and N.Y. Yankee fan which I know is not the preferred teams in the Maryland area but I am very knowledgeable about sports and have a deep passion for branding, sponsorship and help develop sports teams.

Moving forward with this I would like to give readers the insight to how sports marketing works at a whole and some ideas that I feel would be helpful in the sports world today. Also, since I am currently on the sports job search I will give my insight in trying to break into one a very hard career. So until next time, keep buying those tickets and support your favorite teams!