Sports History Network Ancient Greeks placed wagers on athletes competing at Olympia. That is the oldest recorded account of sports betting, and it happened roughly 2,000 years before anyone thought to regulate it. The practice survived Roman gladiatorial combat, medieval jousting, bare-knuckle boxing in 18th-century England, and horse racing across every continent where horses could run. At each … Read more
Every year, golf’s biggest names gather in Georgia for the most recognisable tournament in the sport: the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Unlike the other three majors, it never changes venue, never alters its identity and rarely shifts its traditions. That consistency is exactly why fans and players treat it differently, and why … Read more
Back in the prehistoric days of professional football, a family of rugged, tough as steel brother, the Nessers, ruled pro football gridirons throughout the Midwest. The Nesser brothers competed against the celebrated pioneers of the game, including Jim Thorpe and Knute Rockne. The brothers held their own against all competitors, no matter their reputation. Despite … Read more
Imagine you’re a kid tagging along with your parents, they just finished a game of golf, and now off to a couple of drinks to yap. You’re bored out of your mind looking for something to do, but there aren’t a lot of options. Other parents’ kids seem to have the same feeling, and you … Read more
The Super Bowl began as a relatively niche event. It didn’t attract the enormous audience that it does today, and the commercials weren’t seen as appointment viewing. People bet on it, but nowhere near the numbers that have become common in the modern era. Let’s explore how the Super Bowl evolved from a clash between … Read more