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Connecticut senator heartbroken over ESPN's decision to highlight Victor Wembanyama not going over in his prop bet total of 28.5 points after team chose to bench him
Wembanyama was benched during the final minutes of Game 6 as a result of his dominant play
Democratic senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut has been outspoken about a number of issues regarding the integrity of sports from betting to private equity in youth sports. His own state regulates sports betting and for a while prohibited bets on in-state schools, the exception being UConn in tournament play.
Murphy could not hold back when ESPN and SportsCenter shared a post discussing Game 6 of the Spurs-Thunder series, choosing to highlight Victor Wembanyama failing to hit the over for his 28.5 points prop because he sat on the bench for the final nine minutes with the game out of reach for the Thunder. Forget the fact that Wembanyama was dominant throughout this game.
"The transition of sports fandom from loyalty and joy and community to monetization and commodification is a little heartbreaking to me. A signal of the broader commercialization of everything not nailed down in America."
The transition of sports fandom from loyalty and joy and community to monetization and commodification is a little heartbreaking to me. A signal of the broader commercialization of everything not nailed down in America. pic.twitter.com/6bMDU3JKj4
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 29, 2026
Tommy Scharf responded to the tweet from Murphy:
"In Wemby’s defense, I’d rest him with that kind of lead ahead of a pivotal Game 7. Screw the bettors and their over/under, this man is making basketball worth watching again. You’re right, there needs to be a serious conversation about sports betting and it’s impact on sports."
PogStandard offered this:
"Look I'm a gambler and I learned a long time ago that if you just bet the moneyline you can have fun with all the other sports fans instead of screeching in the corner about plus minus."
C. Aris had this to say in response to Murphy's tweet:
"it's a 26 point 4th quarter lead. was he really necessary to be in the game or play any more minutes after that point? everything isn't always a conspiracy."
The focus on Wembanyama's total prop bet by ESPN came hours after additional charges were filed against former Miami Heat player Terry Rozier for allegedly accepting a $100K bribe as part of sports betting scheme.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
