The NFL has announced the appointment of David Highhill as vice president and general manager of sports betting. It is the first such position within the league.

Munich – The NFL has created a new job. David Highhill, who has been with the league for ten years, will be the new vice president and general manager of sports betting. It is the first position in the league exclusively dedicated to overseeing the operations of the legal sports betting industry.

In his new role, Highhill is expected to protect the integrity of the game from betting-related harm as well as promote the league’s brand and reputation.

More and more states in the US have now allowed betting on sports. Until 2018, it was only legal in Nevada. “It’s a growing market that has grown a lot in the last three or four years,” Highhill said.

NFL enters into partnerships with betting companies

The creation of the new post, however, is not intended to lead to an oversaturation of betting and advertising, Highhill said. “We know there’s a group of fans who are very interested and a group of fans who are less interested. “

Last season was the first time the NFL showed sports betting ads during a game. In addition, the league entered into partnerships with various sports betting providers.

However, the NFL experienced first-hand that sports betting can also be damaging to its reputation. At the beginning of March this year, it came to light that wide receiver Calvin Ridley was betting on games of his own team, the Arizona Cardinals, when he was out injured. The 27-year-old was suspended by the NFL for one year.