Shocking! Miami Open director James Blake heavily fined for breaking ITIA’s betting sponsorship rules

James Blake did not contest the charge.

Shocking! Miami Open director James Blake heavily fined for breaking ITIA’s betting sponsorship rules

Miami Open director James Blake (Image via Imago)

Former American tennis player and Miami Open director James Blake was slapped with a heavy fine for breaking the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) betting sponsorship rules. The former top 10 player was fined $56,250 for violating tennis’ rules about betting sponsorship, ITIA announced on Wednesday.

The statement also said that Blake fully cooperated and would not be contesting the charge. It also highlighted that the breach of rules was unintentional and hence a fine of $56,250. However, if Blake is found guilty of breaching the rules again, during the 18-month probationary period effective from February 9, he will be subject to a further suspended fine of $131,250 and a suspended ban of 18 months.

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Notably, as Blake is considered a covered person, he cannot have a direct or indirect association with a gambling or betting company.

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Across our members – the ATP, WTA, ITF, and Grand Slams – the rules prohibit accredited individuals from having commercial relationships with betting companies. This case is more a matter of perception, rather than corruption.
Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA, commented. (H/T: ITIA website)
The rules apply to players, coaches, officials, and accredited tournament staff - who all have the ability to influence results or have access to inside information. We urge anyone in the sport who is unclear or is considering commercial deals like this to get in touch with us to seek guidance.
He further stated.

Who else than James Blake have been fined so far for violating betting sponsorship rules?

James Blake is not the first person to be fined for violating betting sponsorship rules. U.S. Davis Cup team coaches Mardy Fish and Bob Bryan have also been penalized in the past for breaching the ITIA’s rules. Australian tennis coach Mark Philippoussis was also fined in July last year.

Mark-Philippoussis
Mark Philippoussis (Image via Imago)

While Mardy Fish and Bob Bryan were fined $10,000 apiece for promoting a gambling operator via social media in 2022, Mark Philippoussis was also fined $10,000 and issued with a suspended ban of four months after receiving payment for providing a voiceover to promotional content for a gaming operator.

The TACP rules clearly state that people involved in the sport cannot bet on tennis or even assist others on the same. The players and the coaches cannot have sponsorship, employment, or any commercial relationship with betting and gambling companies.

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