Marek Is Just The Tip of the Iceberg

In the hockey media world, the big news over the summer was Jeff Marek, arguably the most popular hockey podcast and morning show host, leaving SportsNet.

At first, it was a mysterious disappearance with his social media accounts going silent (at an odd time nonetheless). Then Marek announced he was no longer a part of the SportNet company. Then came the reports from The Athletic about his sudden departure.

Marek Tips Draft Selections

The 2024 NHL Entry Draft was getting underway in Las Vegas (go figure). Many fans were placing their wagers on which prospects would be selected and which teams would land them.

The problem is that many NHL insiders know who will be picked days before the draft begins. Unlike the games, the draft is planned ahead of time, specifically, teams know who they are selecting in advance. If the teams know, the reporters are on top of it.

Marek was no exception as he was hosting the draft night coverage for SportsNet. He had to know since he was doing the interviews with the players as the draft was taking place. Marek could let someone know who was going where and anyone listening to him could then cash in ahead of time (and that’s what happened).

Why Marek’s Situation is Different

A lot of insiders have information they leak to the public. Elliote Friedman, Marek’s former colleague and co-host of the show 32 Thoughts, is known for announcing the picks on social media before they are official.

Marek was the one the league came down hard on. Why? There are a few things to keep in mind.

The timing is one thing. Most insiders start announcing the picks once the event begins. That’s one thing but it’s not as bad since many sportsbooks close by the time that happens. It’s another thing to let people know days ahead of time what the draft will look like.

This leads to the other issue. The draft is where the information leaked. Unlike other events, the draft is where anyone betting can directly profit from an insider's tips and it’s why the information is intended to be secret until the event starts.

Why This Matters

Marek’s story isn’t a hockey story. This is something that is happening all over sports and it isn’t an on-the-field or on-ice issue. So, why is this important?

It speaks to the greater problems tied to sports gambling, which has exploded in popularity in recent years. Betting is everywhere and it’s not leaving anytime soon. Every league is benefitting immensely from the betting markets and the interest in gambling. With that in mind, it makes any information or knowledge worth its weight in gold.

When an insider knows who is playing or has a lead on the teams that everyone else doesn’t know, that information is valuable and dangerous. An insider can tell a bettor to shade a team or a total knowing that a “surprise” lineup decision is coming and the bets will come in because of it.

The NHL, a league that hates to provide the public with information to begin with, will only keep things tighter to the vest. Insiders will know less because of Marek and it’s something that trickles down to the fan experience. The league will keep information private and the fans will know less about the game they love. It’s a price worth paying from the league’s perspective as they keep fans in the dark while profits remain high. Such is the world we live in.