The Business of Sports

" virtually any sport out there and it's a sure bet that someone is making money off bit the next hour we're going to be talking about the big big business of sports from the debate over how much university spent on athletics to cashing in on memorabilia that a high stakes. All of the world professional poker plus Olympic gold medalist professional snowboarder Shaun White the big tomato is going to be joining us a little bit later."

" Got as an entirely for Olympics yeah."

" You know act -- the -- making media ahead in starting in February of 30 Disney will rebrand its sports complex. With ESPN name and here talk about it is -- contract is senior vice president Disney sports enterprises. And Walt Disney parks and resorts. This is really cool because kids now can go to Disney. And just be athletes being Michael Jordan pretty would be anything they want to be."

" Yeah I call it that that Eli Manning effect you have 31 that Super Bowl the first thing he says he was going to Disney World. Now we have hundreds of thousands of youth athletes they're going to actually be would say that very same thing right after their competitions."

" Can this is partnering up -- it when you think about ABC sports and a long history and ESP and the world leader in sports obviously going to be some sports. ESPN is certainly somebody that you want to attach to what how -- to get that he is in name out there in a cold rain Disney and ESPN yet."

" You know it's it's a major transformation for personal we've had a very successful sports facility complex business down in Orlando for more than a decade. And that we already have a great difference which is when you compete there are also competing you know right out at Disney World -- a lot of fun. But we really wanted to take it to the next level. And the next level was how do you really make athletes youth athletes -- really any athlete. Feel like they've made the daytime and in fact make them feel like they made it -- ESPN and that's what we're trying to do."

" I -- flag football games down there is missing facilities -- great have been the braves' spring training facility down there as well. Fantastic facilities already so this is just the next step in the already got some good going on."

" But I love -- we're promoting youth sports he got about seven point three million kids playing high school sports three million our girls I've played high school sports. I want my kids to I think he keeps him out of trouble keeps their heads focused. And this is just like the ultimate gold medal to go down there now and be able to do this and gates up on the web typically watch the games. -- the head of the whole concept star."

" No it for us it really was about had yet create an experience that is unlike any other experience anywhere in the world. So you know an athlete comes down to chris' point about great facilities and a great event. That's all terrific but you know imagine feeling like. He really made the big time so you're playing where professional athletes have played before you. You know you're whether -- female athletics or or mail athletics you really are feeling you know incredible about. About the level of competition and the level facility. But now the opportunity to actually make it on TE SPN and and and I say that you know whether it's on all the monitors that we've got set up in the Jumbotron. We're back in the hotel rooms or or even you know on the Internet where your grandmother back in Ohio. Can actually watch you compete. That is so cool it's so exciting."

" One of the things I noticed tool. Yes it is so big they now have an emerging technology group at ES PNM and they're using new ESPN any innovation lab down there your facility what is this all it we're talking about yet clever title weird science or. You know the real genius or something like."

" I think the F -- guys are pretty smart and that they they have all of these new technologies that they want to develop but they need. You know caught a Petri dish to try all these different things our. You know the hundreds of thousands of athletes that we have competing. Is a perfect opportunity to do that so they're trying out. In a new home run you know tracking technology what we've got literally 10000. Baseball games a year that are happening are complex that they can really. You know refine what that what that technology will be so they're going to be doing all kinds of technologies. And utilizing the athletes -- the complex to really make them work before they make it the broadcast television's hottest team get to play down there. Well a lot of different ways you can come down there and we have a lot of open tournaments. So you can go right on the Internet and and and sign up for any -- that you want we have a lot of qualifying tournament so you have to qualify you have to be at an high enough level to compete. You know some of our partners whether it's Vietnamese American I BAU. Or or varsity cheer pop Warner. Or you trip -- say all of these different organizations -- feeder opportunities for people playing in their hometowns and grassroots to come to Disney to play a bigger bigger state."

" What about expense and how much is this cause so much and how much money has a cost to this point and NATO would leave about labs and -- of things like that it's gotta be pretty exorbitant cost."

" I would say exorbitant what I would tell you written by Disney standards they say don't take whatever standard you -- I would say that we're making a sizable investment in the and I think the investment really is worth it. Because you know at the end of the day what we've really tried to do with distinguish what playing at this facility. You know will be able to do from an experiential perspective and distinguish it from playing anywhere else in the world if we do that you know we've really -- Up with something. Can we show up if you know you're down with your family on vacation can show up and watch these games -- they open to the public that's so absolutely we have spectators you know that come just to watch youth athletics. Which is really need and you get it's not just. It's predominantly you know mom and dad and the little brother and her grandparents but there are other people that are just interested in that. -- I don't know the concept of sport and the character you know building components have it that really make it exciting to watch."

" While a lot of when you whenever we hear quarterly numbers for Disney World is very interested in the traffic get these theme parks what have you seen here over the last couple years. In terms of the sports complex and use -- is participation downed our. Our our families not traveling with their kids to sporting events is off -- much."

" They were yeah I would I would I would say what's happening in the sports what specifically. Would our sports complex as we've seen a lot of rose resiliency. From recession kind of factor. And I think parents. You know are making choices in a lot of areas you know. Are they buying a new car this year they you know making a home improvement are they doing all those things. What they're not sacrificing. I believe is investing in their children especially in areas like character building. And I think sports is a perfect area for that so we've seen a real real job. Quite honestly in attendance at our sports complex and we even have what I call the double -- factor so they're coming down to compete. But simultaneously the civil war already going down let's take a vacation at a video well and then again that's that's make everybody happy."

" It's gotten so competitive bill hasn't -- like yeah I must worry about these kids don't sometimes I think it's less competitive even. If girls soccer games in in this the other will pick up girls got pocket by the way -- it get to."

" All right I'll lose -- what I'm saying is a lot of -- with the deceit to tie the guys played well -- high so all eyes severance I ever."

" But let's look for the little kid I know what you're saying because my family says that -- get a trophy they -- that it went. But -- whole level and high school level now there's a lot of pressure to be really good because you're getting recruited very early now I mean after like the whole -- book."

" I would agree with you I think there is a lot of pressure I think you know both the pressure that the aptly puts on the south but also the pressure that the parents are putting on good. Every parent looks at value Kathleen says well they're going to go get a college scholarship. And that creates pressure on to themselves we try to create an environment. Where -- high levels of competition but you know at the same time it's a fun and experience. The Disney factor that kind of a fun component to -- so. Yeah I had a day of pressure on the field you. But you know I just -- you know wrote small world cannot bring down that -- I to a level that I think becomes."

" Much format really well said ten great to see you thanks to -- and paparazzi vice president disease was enterprise that Walt Disney parks and resorts. Pomp and -- it would you have to understand something here -- there are winners and losers in life and you might as -- learn that lesson early on all right if you're -- ties yeah bailouts big crowds if you lose you lose so let's learn that lesson early life and I know for once our viewers and agree with me instead of you for months."

" No I don't you saying I think it is it's it it's hard and I tell him my son with the birth to say. Our team won how come everyone else got --"

" It's. Just acts as a great comic everything is about fun what a joke yeah."

" I have a good time all the time who said that to them as well we'll talk live on the inside with -- right there. Who had time to talk about tax bill -- and the director of policy and communications. At a Tax Foundation joins us now from Washington DC. The jock tax I have to tell. I -- taxes or like five years and never heard of this it makes perfect sense to me. But I never heard of this so it's really intriguing to me that they're coming down on athletes. Mainly because they're schedules -- public so we all know where they are it's very hard to. You know you can't hide it. It quite wealthy people it's very easy for them to you know pretend they weren't in New York City for the day when really they want our. She got athletes who are making many other states and they're getting taxed now in these states."

" Yes every that pro athlete and all the people who work with -- should be very keenly aware that they are being discriminated against their being taxed. Much more heavily than high income executives or other people who also travel for their work."

" I just feel -- question of the -- are being taxed more heavily because. You know what I -- 100% of my state tax in the State -- New -- but a filing work part time here in the State of New York Apple might gains and the other half -- all in different states around the country would not pay less taxes in new York and when the --"

" Well no for example you'd go to California which has a higher. Tax rate and New York would only grant you a credit for the amount that you would have paid if you were in New York know it creates. Situation where the states. With the highest tax rates are the winners. And get a little extra revenue even though their own athletes have to pay jock taxes when they trap. And so and the states with the biggest losers are the ones that have no. Individual income tax whether -- Texas or Tennessee or Washington State or Florida. Athletes and those locations. Who really ought to be paying no wage tax at all. Are traveling and paying wherever they go. And their own state isn't getting anything out of the athletes who visit there. And it's not just athletes it's everyone who travels with --"

" Breaks it down to the trainers in the all these little -- boys who don't make a lot of money what's interesting to me is that this started in 1991 in the Chicago Bulls. Beat the LA lakers in California California woke up and said. Can't believe we lost but we model makes good money."

" Yes that's right yeah it it was one of the few times that I that I. That it team has been swept at home like that the that the visiting bulls took games three through five and LA. And took the lakers out and in -- The retaliation. The tax collectors there in that California decided that they were going to. -- tax the bulls and Jordan for the for the for the day is that they were in Los Angeles in Los Angeles and then. Of course Illinois got all bent out of shape and passed a retaliatory. Measure that they called Michael Jordan's revenge. Although the real revenge was to come in later years as Jordan and the bulls continued to my brother and that the but. And ever since then and then -- actually since it was a retaliatory. Sort of situation no state could. Let California tax they're visiting athletes and not tax them back. So it spread like wildfire and now every. Employee of every traveling franchise have to file income taxes in every state they visit. 1520. Tax returns per year and as you pointed out in many cases it is like a wash. The Yankees Philly series for example they. The Yankees said that the visiting Philly is would have been paying about a seven or 8% to tax rate in New York. And -- to -- the visiting yankees would have been paying only a 3% to Pennsylvania. Both cities Philly and New York have their own city leveled -- taxes they have about 4%. So this can get ridiculously complicated."

" Bill one of our viewers via -- says I'm nobody I'm getting taxed to death don't sell yourself short he has somebody out there. All but the question is does this also. -- hard to find people to feel sorry for Michael Jordan of the professional athletes and making hundreds of millions of dollars. But doesn't supply at it as -- that you city trainers who did not make a lot of money and the truck drivers is well."

" It it it can be applied. Eight the reason it's that right now the employee is below the middle income employees of sports franchises are being gained. -- because there with the athletes and their published schedules are known by them. But truck drivers and other traveling salesman and other businessmen they're schedules aren't published as you said in the lead in so. As the tax collectors just don't have that information so with it results in an unfair taxation of athletes and their colleagues just because. The travel schedule is published that that is not fair and -- and it's not just. A high income low income situation too I mean there are a lot of consider that athletes make fantastic. Wages during the few years that they're working but the average. Athletes. Career is only five or six years of fantastic earnings and after that it's often you know high school high school Coach."

" and I guess he's not traveling as much we got a comment from -- and Reilly says so let me get this straight we cannot purchase health insurance across state lines. But we can tax they appear out of every job that visits each state. This is crazy. It is crazy and you would think that you get some like me -- to say we have every game here. Why don't they say look this Fiat money -- here."

" That's a good connection to the help that you do because these high wage earners are getting ready to pay so much higher taxes anyway. Starting in 2011. Their top tax rate is going to go up from 35 to forty and then the health surtax might add another take -- up that -- the the 45 so. These 10910. And 11% income tax rates at the state level in California and New Jersey have some of the other I."

" I know bill I pay in Jersey it's awful this that this and this is great I mean and it's unfortunate that -- athletes. Thanks Billy appreciated lots of work out for the count out there Billy narrowing the gap I think communications at the Tax Foundation in DC thanks --"

" Got a lot more ahead coming up. Is that sign glove worth anything very important Tracey she's got a kid who has -- had to catch -- on sports memorabilia coming up."

" We're talking about the big business of sports all our. So help you caught the ball on now what Michael -- is the vice president operations at. Sports memorabilia dot com joins us from Miami Beach are you caught the balls he got a baseball Major League game. How do you authenticated. Number one in the same time that you figure out how valuable it is."

" It's. All right well let's that's pretty easy personally caught the ball. You get the call to a company like cars sports memorabilia comes. And you as for authentication what you do as you would actually -- send a ball and but an example of how you I caught the ball maybe have a video of you catching them -- and then you why can't prove hologram on there. And that's that when you have the ball you can't take that sicker often put on another -- say here's a home run walk at five home run balls in the name Aiken 500 dollars a piece street bomb can't prove programmes that the the number one thing you want after that ball."

" Yeah center -- automatic. This fall on that Michael how do you know what you're almost like an actuary you you you almost have to make that call you see an old baseball and you say you don't want. Yeah this is really -- when the Mickey mantle's home on bull's eye doctor how do you own a make that call."

" It depends that nowadays there's there's represented as acting game sometimes and I'll be better represented as I'll actually go to the fan. And now authenticate that box that can be a very high price -- if you have a a guy who's not for home run records say you know when Barry Bonds home run record. They actually switch out involves a company called PSA DNA. Either the authentication and actually there's peace invisible DNA type of material on the -- so when it goes into the stands that."

" That fans can bring the ball TSA the -- areas like caught the ball."

" You guys inspected."

" And then they know it's real. For kind of in every day -- basis they might be a little more tough you'd you'd probably have to have a represented about began negotiating the represented."

" But there's definitely -- as of telling you know maybe there's a specific mark on the law. They could find from a camera but did there there isn't some tough situation for you might popular now and these companies won't pass it has to be a 100%. I guaranteed authentic -- passes."

" Because this stuff can be worth a lot of money so Chris alluded to the fact that of my son got a glove signed by man or man. At one of the recent gains so. If I were to be worth anything does he have to like preserve this I mean clearly should be outside playing catch of the glove that if we -- there might be right now yeah. Buttons so what are we didn't see it and -- how do you figure out how much something like that is worth someday I mean. Clearly am not paying for college with this club."

" Yeah well sorry a presentation that we want to preserve of he definitely have been sometime in the case that -- be coated. We have -- and our office just from being left out of the case they start to fade. Particularly have an hour and a merit based on the office that you know the signature stating it definitely affects the value. As far as appraising the club. Or arms tied back to authenticate it -- yet the stadium. You actually have to submit that to a third party -- indicator. I'm what's fourth term they dot com has been doing is offering kind of quick appraisal opinions and it's it's of a lo fi. For. Our opinion first should use and at this that there are air authenticate Mexican cost. 7500 dollars actually get the item authenticated which that would come with paperwork. The tamper proof hologram and then you can go ahead and post on sites like eBay but there won't be anybody buying without authentication papers or tamper proof holograms. But you never know you could put someone through college with you know the piece of memorabilia that you get from great I mean. You get a home run ball that's record breaking ball that you're talking a couple of 100000 dollar -- that."

" Michael you guys it's -- memorabilia dot com sign players. To contract so that they'll sign a certain out of things for you would you send -- photos this and that."

" We knew it as a company don't -- we have partnerships all the companies that deal a -- signing athletes. The very tough thing they have to make appearances every so often. They have signed a certain amount of pieces they've they might now why do certain signs are certain inscriptions that you ask -- what we do. Is we have partnerships with all these companies you have you know contractual obligations with these athletes for them to sit down and sign a certain amount of pieces that's."

" Really today the only way to get 100% authentic. Memorabilia and to be able to sell it."

" Michael facts and as you're originally from Jersey so had to shut passengers because hundreds. I can't say anything. What can be most expensive thing you've seen sold out there are what is out there right now that -- like top dollar value line it is definitely the Jeter is it and they arrive is it you know old school -- what's going for the."

" Most money these days. Well the thing about guys like you're in Iraq as far as value there there signing often it's the guys you either deceased or don't sign very much those -- getting carried the most value. So you have for example we have a favorite spot to sit on our website it's actually I've documented as a home run ball game there the person stands document that it. There father grandfather caught and I believe it's listed for -- now about 67000. Dollars that's what's on our -- it we. Definitely have access to U. Items that are worth much more I recently got back from. Cleveland national memorabilia show that they put on every year and he's -- pieces there that are. Are in this hundreds of thousands to millions. Something like going on -- by the famous Thomas Wagner baseball card one point two million dollars is sold for I believe any day. But there is there's so many items that are out there that definitely carry a price they over a 100000 dollars not so much Jeter and and Iran."

" You will lead in the home that's for curative value of what might have things. No problem that things -- Gucci of course from on his VP of operations of sports memorabilia dot com. Com elect adding it's sad honestly and dynamite as a great businesses and it is but signed baseball -- for the kids. And now it has been -- without the ball parks -- guys with 56 items bring him up there hadn't signed. Now they even -- I hire the kids to go down. Put on a little pouting face for Derek -- civil signs and form bring it back. Give the -- ten -- that baseball some identity really is its discussion you can't get down at anything signs that mean it was you know I practically have to give up my children in order to get him down then so that he could -- I have only one thing signed -- Colorado Rockies hockey -- signed by -- rash and Lanny McDonald now want to get -- damage to sign it but I think he's in jail right now Samantha waited -- before it. We're going to take a quick break when we come back we'll talk to the chancellor of the university system Allen about the rising costs. College athletics."

" Let the foxbusiness.com. -- talk about the business of sports. I have to like bubble wrap the kids glove."

" Release date and are hermetically seal it and news that."

" And it's got its capital that's -- about college sports in particular witness now is doctor William break Kearin chancellor. University system of Maryland and co chairman of the Knight commission on intercollegiate athletics. So I thank you for being here with us this I now is three inmates blowing out of proportion how much money is spent on college sports. At the same time don't so many kids come to schools certain schools because of the athletic program."

" That I mean the athletic programs. Thank everyone sees is. Plain and it is very important role in the life a university and of its students but. I think what's happened is this fiscal. Crisis where where in which we now understand isn't going to go away for. Maybe throughout that this that coming decade is has now placed fiscal pressures on intercollegiate athletics that just aren't sustainable. We we do not have a model for supporting athletics going forward. That in my opinion is is is viable because of the drain is taking on resources that should be supporting our academic institutions blown out creek if I'm wrong don't the athletic associations have different budgets than the schools themselves and they operate separately or -- there's plunging between did you -- that that -- there is the separation which is a very strict set separation at some schools but nodded I mean here's a piece of data that I think you find interest there's a 120. Football sub as subdivision schools that they play big time football but yes this yeah right the BCS schools. Of those 120 only 25. Balance the athletic budget on athletic revenue -- 80%. Of those institutions are running a deficit and -- there has to be. A covered back institutional resource film now in the end bail out they get a bailout -- and so the everything every deficit is seven million dollars and for these 80% of the schools. And this is at -- time went institutions are laying off staff. Raising tuitions. It growing you know having larger section sizes. And I just don't think that you know it's just not viable to continue this optimization. At a time when the rest of the university which is really what they are there to do give education are in such. Terrible state this. So what can do the competition assistant now rice university's. I mean in your notes the medium budget at the top twelve institution. 83 million dollar dollars and -- wow we have gotten ourselves into a very difficult corner and it isn't going to be easy to get out but. We have to start. You know start down that this this -- What has heartened to me is that the did. Put big football -- school a decent. Met and two and came to the Knight commission to present their findings. For the first time I heard him speak collectively saying we have to change the model we cannot continue on the path that were on. I know something about Ohio State that was present moment they -- always before. Ohio State's athletic budget but it was head enough money to give some back to the university no more they can't do that anymore so. We just have -- desist sit situation we're ready to start changing the model. Now the HDs. Admittedly don't have all the solutions though they -- they're talking about. Fewer scholarships -- coaches shorter -- seasons but that's just the start. The more radical change is that thing going to be called for in the coming years."

" What about doing away with sports because that title mine plays a role on see that's -- that's a big issue that at some sands he can't do that you're gonna have. The other women's crew team by going to have women's soccer team because the football team pays for all of that it pays for -- pitcher men's tennis in men's lacrosse in those things right."

" Right so I mean it's going to have to be 88 you know paring down across the board of expenditures because. He -- expenditures and intercollegiate athletics are going. Four in five times the rate. Of the investment in the academic institutions well you know that's that they did you just can't help you know that's irresponsible -- did not allow that to continue."

" There are a solid alumni support for certain teams like -- I know I'm going to Lehigh and at Lehigh you don't have to. You you can give really to whatever area of the school you want a lot of people give back to their fraternity as opposed to the overall institution. As their alumni support for these teams where they're giving having strictly -- athletic sons there's no question about it so I mean he had part of this is going to have to be communication."

" The issue. For it first what we need transparency so people know what's happening what is really the cost of running big time athletics program. That has to get out there and then we're going to have to build a consensus. A round funding some some solutions and it's going to take he's going to take considerable effort you've got paid coaches lasts you period -- I would agree with and it became is that some way to put a cap on well. I Alabama contain a football Coach and now a lot more and then Maryland and if football Coach even you know and these wealthy top -- yeah and the added that when the presidents were surveyed about the viability of the model and -- overwhelming consensus is we have to change. The number one problem they cited was -- now you know. We have situations now where assistant coaches are being paid six and 700000. Dollars a year yeah."

" But you also have college presidents getting paid a million dollar -- as well many is that I was well but their salaries all right where they -- the thing is an acting and you know we've seen stats like this where in many states the highest paid public official is the football Coach of basketball political. But it's already there probably the two highest paid for the go to Kentucky and the code available products lies Palin does well servants and -- that -- that the distortion of value hated it at that. We've got to do something about it. The doctor recruitment thanks so much for some might be -- stuff okay you had a recurrence cancer Ulysses is -- now also -- and Knight commission. On energy who collegiate at less amazing what how how college sports at. There are -- lot of effort."

" Now -- right actually I -- coming up imagine winning two million dollars in two months we'll talk to 2525. Year old people. Professor how -- the fire we'll be right back."

" Making two million dollars in two months sometimes and is making two dollars and yeah. Playing cards. That's exactly what our next guest trying to do on the reality series two months two million on the G four network joining us now professional poker player Neil. Hotel and meal. Hum. Did you make two million dollars in two months no we actually feel assured. But we ended up making I think 660000. Well what I guess there's really doubled -- clearly aren't playing goldfish what are you playing. For the most."

" I was replying no limit Texas hold them on the Internet and 8090% of our players on the Internet. And we played a couple of the bigger World Series of poker tournaments you -- the 40000 dollar fine tenement."

" Which was actually commandment commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the World Series of poker."

" And we get to play the main event actually because -- conflict with filming a TV show and being able to play the -- event. So we kind of we're pushing the producers -- planet but it turned out that. One of those things that we F 45 years of allies to do what is taking a TV show is one of those things yelling it's anyone's right."

" Boil it -- do it everyday and we'll make two million dozens of."

" And I -- thirty years left and right --"

" I'll bring you now you're not Charlie -- you're not counting cards how in the -- what did you get so good at poker it's such a young age."

" Omni I would probably attributed to age -- my skills that on the very analytical mathematical person they are counting cards."

" Huh huh huh."

" Not quite but I mean there's some basic statistics and stuff that you need to know but more -- than I think. Game theory is probably the most difficult applicable academic subject to poker. And I've always been pretty get the stuff like. That -- even playing. I've been playing professionally for I guess about five years now did you pick up -- god one night drinking. There were hanging out playing cards pretty much that's how it started I think it is my sophomore years school when. There's just like -- casual ten dollar buy in home game in my dorm room men and just like a very casual thing with friends who don't really care about the money."

" And I found out from one of my high school friends that."

" One of his friends was making like the 400 dollars an hour playing online brokers immediately I'm like okay I need to go check this out. And the site that I actually first started playing god. Didn't actually required need to make a deposit while they had these things called tensing giveaways re entered for free in UN like five cents to get first. On site flailing a bunch of those and solely built up a bankroll and started playing for real money -- patented."

" Looked back sense -- and it is -- everything -- ten dollar buying an occasional horse in the back in my fraternity house really had -- I could make a career -- voice is just didn't quite work out."

" Eight. Quarters and get this -- about -- is something com."

" When I first thought you know the World Series of poker I thought fifteen minutes of this thing is going to be a flash in the pan and it's going to disappear it hasn't poker is it's still."

" it's still there on the forefront he's still on EST and."

" On it's still really popular why is that it is does the Internet using play a big role that the people complain that they right now. I think a few things actually. I."

" I think when the World Series of poker first got big was when Chris moneymaker won the main event the and I think -- was gonna get big regardless of whether or not. He was the person to win it but just the fact that. He was able to win this 10000 dollar seat plane like siding with like a three dollar. Satellite -- on the Internet -- got in the -- and the fact that he's an amateur and one the main event I think. Just appeals to a lot of people who. Our professional poker players recreational players who like wow I can and should this turn and then try to win a seat for like. -- look very little money online and make a lot of money by and that getting lucky winning it."

" So what do you think then about the solution legalizing gambling an online gambling you know there's a lot of people that want to ban it enough clearly think it's illegal and you look at my. You gonna make a career out of this so clearly -- on the other side of the lot with this."

" It's still illegal actually to play online poker in the US but there has recently some legislation passed it's called that you like G I. The unlawful Internet gambling enforcement act. And it's kinda gray area as to whether you can banks process online gambling transactions. But actually just playing online still is completely legal it is nice. But I mean I'm. Pretty libertarian when it comes in my political beliefs I feel like you should be allowed to -- pretty much anything you want as long as harming anyone else and when the government decides to be like your mom and tell you shouldn't do this because this is bad for you you're not going to do it responsibly in the kind of."

" Wow all those people that hated you when you first got on I thought yeah. And I can you look like you're happy go lucky smile on all the time you must have a terrible poker faced you battery and a great -- hands and that's when it is right deal with a smile and -- happen. -- nobody can tell you would he's never missed his. He's got a bad hand. Why would suck so hardly get to scheme. --"

" Yeah did well I cut back on -- again."

" The -- as well best luck to go -- thank you Patel is a professional poker player and he's a millionaire."

" You know having his party might offer those kind of careers to me they're like you can be picking out and she can maybe they'll -- and got there nobody ever said hey you can make money having on our own things have changed other -- and it has changed everything for."

" I'm having fun as an FX so much fun we're about to meet you Flying Tomato eaten up and in. Professional snowboarder -- light up next."

" John my profession not snow boarders here with us now again I miss I wasn't there when they're handing out careers no one ever said to me struggle around flag. Plains snow you can winsome gold medals and make life out of it but you did I was told that -- and yeah. You we're told welcome some -- clearly saw skill and you. You got them and yet what do you do little these gold medals. You know -- so little space the house I don't actually put amount on display few months now what's the grand total could you have Olympic medals and you have winter X games."

" That there -- best -- know what I'm not one to. You know. Well want to tell -- metals you want to count your money day and has won the metals hum. -- can't gain an animal living and it's a pretty darned good living I let my mom go to town used to think you have to Olympics it was anything to -- doctor pencil though. My son on the Olympic -- yeah. Any of it -- that's my -- and that's that they can and able to really mark yourself a lot X gamers. Com you know they're they're they really can argue it is teenage said but he can't break out of that. How you been able to because I could be honest with you I thought it was fifteen minutes later in your fifteen minutes of -- I was an awesome for a little while and we'll never hear from them but that -- in the case of yeah we're fully."

" You know -- fun I mean oh what was strange is before the Olympics I mean I'd already had a certain amount of success directs gains in certain games and let's get recognized now here and then. How things are just slowly going from -- Olympics was just something that push it all over the edge and they're ready afterward was like Wolf Blitzer big drink deal going to be limited that I at -- had these deals going into it. So it just really. Kinda blew that whole situation out in a video -- really work with the -- does that -- do amazing things like the video game and the -- line."

" I wanna get to that that the Ubisoft videogame and that it's cool you. Played a big role in developing it when you talk responses is that you do you have a big team with you that the -- your image because image. Image is everything that was I had Agassi by the way you know went away went away -- the real does appear yet that's unfortunately. I have thought at the right thing you know mom had to split you do you handle a lot of yourself for boot --"

" You actually it's it's it's a team I would say myself and my brother my elder brother is he's the one that I've gone to for everything in. He's an amazingly talented artists so any any shirt or jacket that you see that Salmonella got my name on it is a drawing of his is that -- actually is the target -- that. He drew the plaque -- colors and everything I haven't been doing it together so you know who who better to. You know speak my voice and my own brother."

" It's an amazing though what happened you know what's come of this whole little underground industry snowboarding skateboarding and people don't even actually own boards and they still want to wear the clothes. These figuring target thanks -- You know we -- I spoke with rob Garrett at the recently and he's done the same thing that -- clothing lines and all the stuff what what do you think attributes. But what's phenomena how about you not -- want to -- skateboarding closed more than they want to -- football jerseys --"

" It's it's. I think it's more than just a sport it's it's that's a lifestyle the culture I mean it's it's. Group of musicians and artists and in skaters and and kind of this free spirited people they're all kind of doing the same things down. How to point where. You know skateboarding wasn't even cool in schools now it's uncool to show up and dress she uses and then like. Assisting California mean. You can't go around without some -- she's on some guy that but. Yes it's it's a whole like lifestyle that's following that instead of just -- thing I mean I know people that -- to go to the mountains and hang out. And do all that stuff but it's it's what you do for fun with -- friends like acting like we're all gonna go -- going to go ride going to you know together and do the things that's definitely. Grown from what it used to be -- we weren't even allowed on mountains."

" You're like crazy punks. Don't go skiing at skateboarders out like the video game second one from you -- by the way. Are coming out here this month. It's all white snowboarding world stage for the Nintendo Wii so easy they're yelling at the -- at the state. You can escape into. Awning in the greatest sport about this I was reading about it says its focus on intense competition outlet that items second. -- that you've never look the second added that -- in your life a minute in your life like you're having intense now but the yeah I think. It's out there and shred it and when you're done you're laughing and you know high five everybody -- intense about that."

" You know it's funny that's probably the worst. Game facing on the season on smiling and expect that the gay and that means -- I'm. I'm comfortable and confident feeling it's like things are giving -- our our sports not really that kind of rivalry type you know again you jock mentality of that -- like. Everybody's friends of the top it's just tell you where everything inside you don't really. It shows how you feel good and when I'm up there joking around and have fun that's like. My lay of of letting things can happen because rate when I try to focus and train in. Really it took him. Train today now but the bank -- did you -- it -- he kind of had the lead of that writing you mentioned Agassi -- He's he's a good friend of mine and and I was sitting down with him talking on point -- described as symphonies when it. Was engaged trained extremely hard you know if they just trained harder than you yeah I've I've I had been described in the that's not how -- in the eye can see is. That's how they act like hit the ball higher than this -- some and beat him. But for our sport like I'm not I'm not the biggest. Got in -- I'm strong and certain ways but it's a lot of mindset. A lot of like how you think about it how he approaches situations."

" Yeah it is an eye on a year round thing though because you go from snowboarding too soon -- and and so this is how you -- created this little empire viewers really -- at video games you have clothing. What's next where you go from here."

" God says there's plenty thinks the I get surprised -- every -- something pops up and most recent as you know the Olympics and couple months from. I thought my qualifying December."

" Her like nine through two in. Copper mountain Colorado now what about the demands on you because I'm sure your first Olympics at the hands on any police opened Vancouver yeah I you know you're gonna. Every night you're going to need some vans and yeah weapon flat -- still don't know I can't see any men and not on an ounce of -- here feel sorry for the guy here. -- got my quiet and how a you we're not winning gold because you're distracted by other things but hello. It this had happened think that I. And I rally feel like it's it's an amazing thing where my sports -- might escape from thing this if and it's it's funny to put it in that term but yeah its my way of getting away from it thinks that the more enemies that you and one of the the union meetings in business meetings in game development toxin I mean we're picking out fabrics Watson said. I think it's it's crazy felt. Once they get to the mountain make it to the -- it's like this is the easy part you know I I understand that you're lucky you got that I'm not -- it's kind of slightly like each and primal screaming there via Philadelphia actually thank you dad and my pillow. And if so what what advice to kids coming up the rank and did anyone make a life that this -- I'm an I honestly say exists you know have fun I said -- is entering local contests and was slowly noticed by different you know groups and I was looking at the I was sponsor when I was seven that a very young age has. Burton's that would have just started to kids clothes I wasn't that I was the coolest on the mountain held me now at this point. I at this point I was 77 when he first you know library's donors and I hate. He's -- sounds I tell to have fun you know I mean I'd like us there that try to train focus enough nothing really comes of it you know I have to wait so. I'm having fun and not thinking about it and -- myself and then. I can do so I think a lot of kids get focused on getting sponsors and giving money and free stuff and all these things and then it just focus on why you started the first -- this have on."

" The game is Shaun White snowboarding world stage for the Nintendo we get an Ubisoft is the the name of the -- coming by the way it's the second -- nobody road trip to great commercials. By the way is also available on the good stuff good luck in the Olympics and they -- lack of less bad crazy legs Conti is going to join us coming up. I -- the different kind of sport. But they're going to get it still athletic. He told the world title in spring these pancakes and bacon and twinkies. You can pick them up and put them down and hot talk about the tire on football practice grace Lee Scott is here professional leader. Odds -- we so we talked about the specialties you're happy W I know you consider yourself --"

" Absolutely I was division three yes traditional sports player you know third string punter basketball player but as a Major League leader among the starting team on fifteenth in the world. I compete in the majors the Nathan's hot dog eating championship by four crystal square off that's our hamburger championship at the -- and an -- in the office he sought."

" A -- off season waiting on I guess that's show on how these you know little kids come up the ranks and get into this. How does one become. An item I want to now look at them and have kids at home something their faces practices."

" Not for kids that's when I'll tell you ask -- sanctioning body got to be eighteen -- over to compete again I moved to New York in the ninety's I saw the beginning of sort of the modern Arab competitive eating guy like. Beautiful -- seek in the world pickle eating champ a pass on the set I want to be up there with them -- I'm an eight year pro I did say it's the off season but the truth is I've got three events coming up prepping for as an off season yes and no what does that have to digest well. I watched every election -- swallow so for instance in two weeks when I'm there were Rogers roast beef sliders yeah. I know. Yeah okay. That's where I get to sort of indulged in ten minutes of all you can -- have gusted toward glad leadership you know on this weekend in Vegas the maritime I was meatball masters championship. First time event this competition all operations on another -- they try to make it more palatable for most viewers and for the people -- actively promote the contest so. -- I would say you're going to see this weekend in Vegas ten pounds of meat balls consumed two readers have the current record that's about a hundred meatballs. In ten minutes -- Blackwood Thomas hundred pound woman and the notorious BOB. Humble Bob shout from lawyers for Pennsylvania. Is a vegetarian BZ meatballs this weekend so while it's. Breaking character and how do you find your specialty I guess that's my thing because you're you I thought -- strawberry shortcake but I was -- lettuce and regulate. Is but that's -- let -- Here with him he's beat me I've come in second you know some. Yeah yeah yeah. That makes perfect sense to me Belmont -- out of action still ringing. Well French -- beef because we do so many different meat foods and pizza you know from -- mid upper crust pizza there's a weekend a month. Okay in Major League -- that is vegetables so on the west coast Stockton California have deep fried asparagus and -- and on the east coast West Palm Beach -- corn on the cob. Current world record holder corn on the -- 34 and three quarter years of corn and 12 minutes yep I -- yet disciplined manual typewriter yeah right like anybody that little. The -- you know its true and the fact is you know you're talking this hour about sports and money. Major eating there's huge amounts of prize money on the circuit that's not wind that meeting Joey just chestnut last year number one leader in -- hundred grant that's pretty good day. This year okay I want to minority championship right collar city last pure contest on the circuit no prize money just for the free food and it and the title. And then over Labor Day I went to Guantanamo Bay through an ABM WR program might Nathan's hot dogs to entertain the sailors soldiers. Best thing I've done. Repetitive and I and I would like to make money off it absolutely but. There's more another character isn't it though I'll I forget the guy's -- used to work on Wall Street at his face peanuts candy eater X pianist Ernesto since we talked to him Bartlett he's got the mole on now you've got the tragedy does not personalities that you'll recognize -- from New York here so that people -- you you certainly get some notoriety as a competitive -- the hum. We ranks the top fifty. There are over ninety events a year so a lot of it is traveling to other places eating local food eating a lot of local foods say and certainly you deal with being a professional athlete com. In terms of the travel the fans one nice thing to talk about memorabilia talk about getting close to professional athletes. I'm a competitive via the moment I'm Dunedin yes my stomach -- that you can approached the -- sign anything to have."

" Apparently an extra people on economic I'll I'll eat and back let's look at -- crazy -- that is my first okay. Kris Breton. How do you do that how I mean I have one these cheesecake and I'm on the floor I'm sick to my stomach how do you eat all this with dizziness stomach. Expands its so yes it's you know you trained economics inflation deflation. But you have to practice to get about."

" I'll tell you what I eat I eat in in sanctioned contests media events and caught exhibitions about forty to 45 times a year so every day. I'm eating healthful foods to be able to -- in competition to what I want. Cheesecake record just say you know. Is eleven pounds and nine -- tell. Sign of the -- and honest -- I Jesus always specialties. You know what that's her yearly allotment of cheese -- you have probably noticed that you know what. I've been on the circuit eight years I don't practice at home home trainees discouraged I know coming up at the site -- when I go to a competition. -- whether it's need to -- there's a crystal hamburgers I know the components there is gamesmanship you -- come up with -- strategy gotta figure out. How to eat as much as you can are Tommy balls they require you to cancel Steve maritime of the -- has said he wants his meatballs consumed. With a fork and proper etiquette you know and that's a best for -- a degree you have got to shell Boehner there's something esoteric so. In a way it's mind over stomach matter you have to figure out every bite too small all of that contest and then hope the end that you win the trophy."

" I don't -- remember that this Thanksgiving when I sit down to -- crazy legs Conti professional eater. -- today -- you are a thank you would do it today and you can -- Tom foxbusiness.com. Flat screening every week today at noon eastern time. And the morning edition of 6869. And AM eastern CNN me comics it'll be it can also download our podcast at iTunes and watch her son who do the -- Monday the Monday it."