During Channel Nine’s regular crosses to Bill Baxter’s reading of the live odds in their Test cricket coverage over the summer, I’ve often wondered to myself – does he have the worst job in the world?
Okay, I’m sure he’s happy driving home to his air-conditioned luxury home after a long, hard day of odds reading, just as I am watching him do his thing from my tiny inner-city sweatbox (and this particular betting firm has used Samuel L. Jackson as the face of its launch into Australia, being able to call Jules The Hitman/Mace Windu/Frozone a work colleague is a pretty sweet fringe benefit).
Still, I can’t help but think the live odds job is the broadcasting equivalent of a qualified chef working the deep fryer at a fast food chain, or a fringe NRL first grader playing for the Wallabies.
And besides, for me the betting cross-promotional segment is just a good chance for a toilet break, like a time out in basketball or any Test match involving the Wallabies.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind a bit of a punt – I’ll throw down a fiver on first scorer in an Origin match, the Clive Churchill medallist in the NRL grand final, and even fritter away 20 bucks on dollar each-way bets on the occasional Saturday afternoon down at my local.
And although broadcasters spruiking the odds has been a part of my sports watching experience since the Wide World of Sports team used to cross to Kenny Callander out at the track in the 1980s, I look at the live odds trend as more of an unnecessary intrusion than a necessary evil.
So Fairfax Media’s recent report that the NRL has sewn up an exclusive betting partnership worth somewhere in the vicinity of $50 million over five years with the Tom Waterhouse agency are slightly troubling.
And the separate $15 million deal that is rumoured to make him the smug face of betting during Channel Nine’s rugby league coverage, as well as their AFL Footy Show, is the icing on the cake.
Is Waterhouse the most divisive figure in Australian sport this side of Anthony Mundine? Actually, is he divisive at all?
To be divisive you generally need people falling on both sides of the love/hate divide, and when I’m enjoying a day on the hill at Centrebet Stadium I don’t recall ever hearing Panthers fans discussing how much they love the son of Gai and sister of Kate’s television advertising campaign.
You know the one: “I wasn’t born to be a footballer… I wasn’t born to wear the baggy green… in fact, I don’t have any discernible talent whatsoever, which is why I turned to gambling.” Oh wait, that was The Chaser crew’s memorable take-down piece on The Hamster Wheel in 2012.
Between that piece of champagne comedy, Peter Fitzsimons’ regular anti-Tom rants in the Sydney Morning Herald, and the many pixels of internet vitriol I’ve seen directed at his ubiquitous TVCs, it’s hard to imagine anyone being happy about the NRL’s rumoured deal but the bean counters at Rugby League Central.
But if you take the fans out of the equation, as seems to be quite common when it comes to rugby league, the real loser here is TAB Sportsbet’s Jaimee Rogers – one of the game’s real cult figures, much like George Rose or Garrick Morgan.
What of Jaimee’s rapidly growing fan-base? Her burgeoning career? How is Jaimee to keep that chick-you’d-have-a-beer-with-at-the-pub demeanour bubbling if she’s reduced to talking overs and unders during Wallabies telecasts?
All of this is, of course, immaterial – the live odds cross-promotional segment would seem to be here to stay.
But I, for one, don’t welcome the NRL’s new betting overlord. And if an NRL grand final is ever played at Tom Waterhouse Stadium, all bets are off and I’m out.
solly
Guest
Tall poppy syndrome? I can only assume that you are joking, right, when you say that...
Not Right
Guest
I am not against Tom Waterhouse at all, gambling is legal and he seems to run a good business. What I object to is that NRL promotes itself as a family game, we all have children, or neices and nephews who love the game and are not of legal age to gamble. Then you have the promotion of gambling in front of them at the game, on TV telling them this is how you do it - and guess what on your smart phone as well. I think if you have not seen the outcomes of a gambler then maybe you dont agree, but are we setting our children, and childrens children the best example. Monety shouldnt be able to buy you anything you want. On the NRL site http://www.nrl.com/nrl-mailbox-the-leagues-stance-on-gambling/tabid/11038/newsid/63845/default.aspx it goes to tell you "Firstly it is important to recognise that problem gambling is an issue in society. It takes an enormous toll on people’s lives". Yet it's ok to promote it throughout the game. It's a way of thinking... I was watching the NRL with my husband last weekend and Tom Waterhouse was on. My husband doesnt gamble at all. After a bit of time and the changing of scores my husband comments how the odds must have changed etc.... he isnt even a gambler nor ever talks about it, but with all the promotion it is at the front of your mind without you even realising. I hope we can take a stand to save our future generations from gambling problems.... and before you ahnd me out to dry I am not opposed to all gambling, i think gaming machines are fine, casinos can be fun, but you have to be of a certain age to enter these premises, not like TV sport for FREE.
solly
Guest
"Gambling is part of Australian culture, and we teach our kids, students and overseas travellers, that gambling is a way of life in Australia." I respect that there is nothing 'wrong' being done here - he is, after all, running a legitimate business... (rolls eyes) However, I'm Australian and I don't ever recall gambling being part of 'my Australian culture'. I, and thousands of others, have every right to complain about gambling and its influence on our society. Gambling is a way of life? I'm glad I have my own life then...
Frank
Guest
This is the end of sport and fair play
Kris Swales
Expert
Hey GAGOR, sorry about the delayed response here, but I can't see where I called Bill 'smug'? And the words about Tom Waterhouse having no talent at all weren't actually mine. Either way, I'm just taking the p*** mate, and you should see what I write about the sporting teams I love on here - next level sarcasm and smarm.
Get A Grip On Reality
Guest
Hey Kris, so far in this article you have belittled Bill Baxter for being smug and Tom Waterhouse for having no talent. How about you try writing a decent article that doesn't have to belittle people needlessly. Bill is a good person and a hard worker who paid his dues in a very difficult basketball PR environment before heading to 9. He is hardly 'smug'. As for Tom Waterhouse, he seems to have taken a risk by starting his venture, and if he can afford to outlay $50 million for a sponsorship, then he seems to be doing well. A little less sarcasm and smarm from you yes?
Dave
Guest
Thanks for the memories Jaime rogers... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy5_9dIogiE
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I don't know Tom but based on his figures he puts up on sport I assumed he was only interested in horse racing. Given his recent investment in the NRL, I will look forward to his enhanced prices in 2013.
eagleJack
Guest
Can you please explain to me how this scenario lead to Tom losing "big"?
jamesb
Guest
You see if Samual L. Jackson told you to have a bet, you do it! With Tom Waterhouse.......probably not. In fact when I was watching the NRL grand final, his ads were always on. It was so annoying.. In my mind I secretly wished for something. This came to reality http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9arTILzI1U0 Tom Waterhouse certainly knows what "punters want".
yewonk
Guest
if it makes you feel any better tommy boy lost big on green moon. he was with simon o donell when tommy told everyone to back green moon at his price simon realising tommy was trying to get everyones money on the very outside aussie chance completely rubbished on air green moons chances after his form into it.
B.A Sports
Look at the bright side - No more Glen Munsie either!
oikee
Guest
Fitzy, you have to laugh. How this guy can keep a job writing is puzzling in itself. As for gambling, anyone who puts lotto on or even walks out their front doot is taking a gamble. :) I dont care if the whole country is toothless because of gambling, it is up to the individual to say no. People find fun in gambling, it is why they gamble. Same as why they smoke, why they drink, they like it, this does not mean it is not bad for you or your health or relationships or well-being, i am just saying. I did all 3 myself, i am down to only one now, drinking , and i am not giving that up for no one. ;)
David Heidelberg
Guest
Given the problems with match-fixing why is the NRL getting in bed with a family with a history of race fixing? I guess Johnny Elias doesn't have his own website.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Not a gambler,just not interested .That being stated,it is legal in this country and all major codes from the NRl/AFL/ARU and cricket get a slice of the betting action. If a betting organisation wants to spend ,its ill gotten yet legal gains on promotion and a sport be the recipient of the said funding,I have no issue. Except to suggest,watching Jaimee Rogers and her smile that launched a thousand bets,is more pleasing to the eye,than Thomas Waterhouse.She would have been great for the Maclean's toothpaste ad "Äre your Macleans showing.?" Would I prefer no gambling sponsorship and advertising on TV ?Of course. For Peter" the mouth" FitzSimons to whine about gambling sponsorship of the NRL,makes him quite the hypocrite,as his preferred code has no qualms, in receiving betting largesse.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
What's Tom's surname again? That's right....Waterhouse....I'll never trust a Waterhouse!
RickG
Guest
I completely forgot about Jaimmee Rogers being lost to our screens on nine! Bugger
zug
Guest
Why oh why isn't there a Jaimeerogers.com holding the rights
Allanthus
Guest
Agree with Oikee, Tom Waterhouse is an agreeable, polite young man who is conducting a legal business and doing it very efficiently and successfully. There's a massive dose of tall poppy envy around him which reflects badly on the whingers, not Tom. Good luck to him I say. And don't worry too much about Jaimee Rogers, I'm sure she'll have no trouble getting a gig wherever she wants. Although I'd be happier if they adjusted the contrast when she's on screen - I get welders flash from her teeth.
oikee
Guest
All good, all above board, and nobody should dare complain. Gambling is part of Australian culture, and we teach our kids, students and overseas travellers, that gambling is a way of life in Australia. Until we ban the Melbourne cup from prime time TV and stop the nation so we can all gamble like mugs on any given Sunday, dont complain about Gambling, dont complain about Waterhouse or league betting. The government is not going to change that, until they do (stop promoting gambling) stop even trying to make out league is the problem, while we have 7 days of racing and betting on horses, dogs and even cockroaches races at the local. Your flogging a dead horse (excuse the pun).