Odds of Belichick Being Suspended for Patriots Filming Bengals Sideline Set at +400, Fine & Loss of Draft Pick Likely
- Will New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick be suspended by the NFL for the team filming the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline?
- Odds on it happening were set at +400
- Many props are up on the outcome of the NFL investigation into the Pats’ latest miscreant deed
Will head coach Bill Belichick pay the price after the NFL caught the New England Patriots breaking NFL rules by filming the Cincinnati Bengals coaches on the sidelines during a game against the Cleveland Browns?
One sportsbook has issued a series of prop wagers on possible disciplinary sanctions imposed by the league on the Pats following the NFL investigation into New England’s latest rules violation.
Belichick being suspended is listed at odds of +400.
What NFL Sanctions Will Patriots Face for Allegedly Filming Bengals’ Sideline?
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Fine | -6600 |
| Loss of Draft Pick | -250 |
| Reduction in value of Draft Pick | +175 |
| Head Coach Suspended | +400 |
| Team President Suspended | +500 |
| Team Owner Suspended | +600 |
| No Sanctions | +1200 |
All odds taken on Dec. 17th
The Patriots incurring a fine from the league is the overwhelming -6600 odds-on favorite. No sanctions is the +1200 longshot.
What’s the Penalty?
As the NFL looks into this situation, there are clearly two distinct paths that can be traveled. Belichick and the Patriots were immediately forthcoming in admitting that a rule had been violated. Their defense was that in this case, it was an inadvertent error.
"This is a bad look. If it's proven that Coach Belichick had knowledge of this, then he has to go."
— @ShannonSharpe on the Patriots video crew filming the Bengals sideline pic.twitter.com/cJLN7sp73y
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) December 10, 2019
New England’s story is that the crew was from the team’s website, supposedly filming a feature piece on one of the club’s advance scouts. They were unaware that they were committing an NFL rules violation.
However, as anyone who’s ever received a traffic ticket can tell you, not knowing it was a violation doesn’t get you off scot free.
Suspensions Are Highly Unlikely
The NFL would be needing an iron-clad case that the Patriots deliberately set out to utilize subterfuge to film the Bengals’ sideline. Even if that was the case here, it’s going to be a tough nut to crack.
If Bengals allegations are true, Belichick needs to be suspended. One year minimum. Lock him up and throw away the key.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 9, 2019
Unless someone in the Patriots organization rolls over and outs the team, admitting to some sort of devious plan to spy on other teams and how they operate, there’s always going to be a grey area with this scenario.
What’s Under Belichick’s Hoodie?
Could this all be a ruse? A masterful piece of 3D chess from the genius mind of Belichick?
After all, why would the two-time defending Super Bowl champs need to secretly film the 1-13 Bengals?
A week before the Pats play the Bengals…
a Patriots videographer was in Cleveland, in the press box, filming the Bengals sideline, allegedly.
?
Remember earlier this year when McDermott chased off Belichick's son & other coaches from lurking on the Bills sideline pregame https://t.co/OMpQC9TPW8
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 9, 2019
Maybe “The Hoodie” wanted to just plant the seed of doubt that the Pats, like Big Brother, are always watching. Igniting paranoia among NFL coaches is easier than firing up the Twitter outrage machine.
The Cost of Filming Is Fine
Looking historically at this case, in all likelihood the Pats will be fined by the NFL. Worst-case scenario, they also lose a draft pick.
The Giants paid a $150,000 fine and lost a fourth round pick when coach Ben McAdoo improperly used a walkie-talkie on the sideline. Ex-Browns G.M. Ray Farmer was fined $250,000 and suspended four games for texting on the sideline during a game.
FOX SPORTS EXCLUSIVE: @JayGlazer reveals footage of Patriots filming Bengals. pic.twitter.com/C7U7mopaEm
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) December 15, 2019
The Falcons were fined $350,00 and lost a fifth round draft choice for pumping in fake crowd noise. Fielding two defensive players with coach-to-player communication helmet devices cost the Ravens $200,000.
The Pats can make the case that their harmful foul was inadvertent. A fine is the best call. But if you want to try to catch a value bet, go with reduction in the value of a draft pick.
New England’s history of deception might cost the Pats the benefit of the doubt.
Pick: Reduction in value of draft pick (+175).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
