Sports book empathizes with losers

We've all heard of the hooker with a heart of gold, but we've never heard of a bookmaker with one.

In the wake of the "Monday Night Football" debacle - which could be dubbed "Clueless in Seattle" - a case could be made for a bookie with a heart of at least bronze.

After replacement officials botched a call on the final play of the Packers-Seahawks game that gave Seattle a 14-12 win - and dealt Green Bay bettors one of the worst beats in NFL history - one online sports book refunded wagers on the Packers, who were favored by 3 to 3½ points and would have covered if officials hadn't ruled an apparent Green Bay interception in the end zone to be a Seahawks touchdown.

Canadian journalist Glen McGregor posted a photograph online of his computer screen showing the message he received from Sportsbook.ag: "It's right the thing to do. We've refunded your Packers bet."

While the grammar wasn't great, the gesture appeared to be until it was discovered the refunds were offered only to customers outside of the United States - or, in other words, to a couple of guys in Canada and three cheeseheads in Europe.

At least some bettors received a reprieve. Most did not, as an estimated $150 million more was bet worldwide on Green Bay than Seattle, resulting in a $300 million swing in favor of the books, according to RJ Bell of Pregame.com.

Offshore sports book SportsBettingOnline.ag erased several bad beats this year, refunding losing wagers on former UNLV golfer Adam Scott to win the British Open; on boxer Manny Pacquiao to beat Timothy Bradley; and on heavily favored Arkansas against Louisiana-Monroe, which pulled off a 34-31 upset.

■ LEATHER AND LACE - While players, coaches and fans would agree NFL replacement refs aren't fit to officiate in the Lingerie Football League, they'd be correct.

Mitch Mortaza, the LFL commissioner, released a statement after Monday's game detailing the league's decision to fire refs who now are working for the NFL.

"Due to several on-field incompetent officiating we chose to part ways with a couple crews (that) apparently are now officiating in the NFL," Mortaza said. "We have a lot of respect for our officials, but we felt the officiating was not in line with our expectations.

"We have not made public comment to date because we felt it was not our place to do so. However, in light of tonight's event, we felt it was only fair that NFL fans knew the truth as to who are officiating these games."

This explains everything. These refs never have kept their eyes on the ball.

■ REF RAGE - While Monday's meltdown inspired an outpouring of outrage by NFL players on Twitter, Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes reached his breaking point after Sunday's last-second loss to the Ravens.

"Can someone please tell these (expletive) zebras foot locker called and they're needed Back at work!!!!" he tweeted.

While several other profane tweets were posted, 49ers cornerback Perrish Cox posed a legitimate question: "Is the refs workin for the buffalo wild wings commercial?"

COMPILED BY TODD DEWEY
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL