Erin Andrews Death Threats: What Does It Mean for DWTS?

ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was among the favorites to win this year's Dancing With The Stars, having odds of +500 (with a payout potential of $50 for every $10 bet at BetUS.com).  A series of death threats against Andrews that have grown more disturbing over the past 6 months could potential harm her chances at DWTS.  Security has been beefed up.

Whether the so-called Dancing With The Stars CURSE comes into play remains to be seen.  One example:  Donnie Osmond won last season and his nephew committed suicide a few weeks ago.

The FBI has been investigating the threats since last September.

"As soon as we learned of them the FBI was notified. They are on the case," Andrews attorney Marshall Grossman said in a statement. "Erin and her family are protected," Grossman continued, "It is unfortunate that there are sick people who prey on the fears and threaten the well being of others."

According to celebrity news outlet TMZ.com, a person from Newport News, VA sent emails to sports-talk program,"The Dan Patrick Show."

The emails, which TMZ says began in September 2009, were initially sexual in nature, but became increasingly violent starting in March 2010.

Frightening messages such as "Someone should shoot her in the face" and "I am one in a million, nobody will ever see me coming" reportedly appeared in the emails.

Gambling911.com's Payton O'Brien suggests:  "Any type of outside distractions whether it be in sports or competitions such as Dancing With The Stars are sure to have some degree of negative impact on performance.  I personally would not have my money on Andrews right now."

Last month, Michael David Barrett, 48, of Illinois was sentenced to 30 months in prison for stalking Andrews and secretly filming nude footage of her from a peephole in her hotel room.