Bob Costas is a well-known broadcaster for sports fans around the world, but his love for sports developed from a challenging childhood. He grew up with a father who struggled with a gambling addiction. For young Costas, becoming familiar with sports was a way to bond with his dad. They spent many hours together watching games and talking about statistics. However, his father John Costas’ gambling problem also made home life very unstable. This difficult period ended in May 1970 when police came to the family home.
In a conversation with Graham Bensinger, Costas shared what happened that day. At 18 years old, he found out that his father had a heart attack and died suddenly at JFK Airport. The family faced a difficult financial situation after his father’s death since he had not left any safety measures to support them. However, during the visitation services, an important moment changed everything. One of John Costas’ close friends approached Bob and gave him a thick envelope. Inside were $6,000 in cash, a significant amount for the family at that time. This friend had been aware that John was winning money when he died, and since a bookie would not pay out money owed to someone who had passed away, he stepped in quietly. He collected the winnings before the bookie could find out about John’s death. This act of loyalty provided much-needed support for the Costas family.
This unexpected financial help allowed Costas to continue his plans to go to Syracuse University. While there, he got his first big chance to call games for the college hockey team. This opportunity was crucial in starting his long and successful career in sports broadcasting. Throughout his career, Costas has covered major professional championships and several Olympic Games. Despite his achievements, he could not forget the negative impact of his father’s gambling addiction. He saw the harmful effects of high-stakes gambling firsthand and developed a strong viewpoint on the subject.
Today, sports betting is legal in all 50 states in the U.S. and is common in sports media. Nevertheless, Costas remains a strong opponent of widespread sports gambling. He refuses to read ads or promote sportsbooks during his broadcasts, a decision influenced by his past experiences. Costas has often mentioned how his childhood experiences have shaped his views. While he cannot separate the sports he loves from the gambling issues that affected his family, he treasures the memories of watching games with his father.
What are your thoughts on Costas’ views about sports gambling?
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Source: Upworthy, by Patrick Hamilton