Big Ten Adopts Ohio State Football's Game Day Policy, Ending Long Overdue Rules

The Big Ten Conference will require football teams to submit an availability report before kickoff and partner with U.S. Integrity to prevent sports betting violations.

The Big Ten Conference has finally caught up to Ohio State football and the NFL by implementing a policy that requires football teams to submit an availability report to the league office at least two hours before kickoff. This move aims to prevent players, coaches, and staff from participating in illegal sports betting, with the help of a company called U.S. Integrity.

Ohio State has been ahead of the game since 2019, when head coach Ryan Day implemented the availability report. The policy has undergone slight changes over the years, but it generally involves releasing a list of players who are unavailable or considered "game-time decisions" a few hours before kickoff. The reasons for their unavailability are not specified, whether it be due to injury, illness, discipline, or other factors.

The Big Ten has not provided clarification on whether their reports will require more detailed information beyond player availability. However, this move aligns with the NFL's long-standing requirement of injury reports, which has been in place for nearly 80 years. The NFL implemented this policy in response to a gambling scandal in 1946, emphasizing the importance of transparency and preventing insider information from being exploited.

The Big Ten's decision to mandate availability reports is a proactive measure to protect teams from individuals seeking exclusive inside information. It also promotes transparency across the league, ensuring that all teams operate under the same policy. While the availability report may not always be 100% accurate due to last-minute changes or unforeseen circumstances, it still provides fans, including those who engage in legal sports betting, with more reliable information.

This decision was long overdue, considering the potential risks associated with sports betting and the need for consistent policies across the league. Now, the Big Ten can join Ohio State and the NFL in normalizing the practice of submitting availability reports, ultimately benefiting both the teams and the fans.

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