Todd McShay is widely regarded as one of the godfathers of NFL Draft content in the sports media space. But, on Friday, it was the sports betting space that McShay voiced his opinion on regarding the proposed prop bet ban in the state of Ohio.
The proposed ban on prop bets in the state comes after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a statement about the influence that prop bets had on the Cleveland Guardians earlier this month.
In particular, DeWine argued that the Guardians organization was “negatively impacted” after two pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, were put on MLB’s non-disciplinary paid leave list as the league looks into suspicious activity from the pitchers regarding one particular prop bet.
On Friday, Matt Schuler, an executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, informed ESPN’s David Purdum that the OCCC is drafting a rule to remove “some” player-specific props from the list of approved wagers after DeWine’s request.
This doesn’t guarantee that the proposed ban will ultimately take effect, as it is still pending final approval from the OCCC and the Ohio legislature. But, on Friday, Todd McShay shared a message on social media opposing the proposed ban, arguing that making prop bets illegal would simply drive bettors to engage in riskier alternatives in the illegal gambling space.
“This generation is the luckiest generation in the history of gambling,” said McShay. “I had a bookie. He went by the name Jack. I don’t even think it was his name. He was an absolute maniac, though, I can tell you that. There were calls and texts at all hours of the day and night. And sketchy meet-up spots in parking lots. It just didn’t feel right, because it wasn’t. It was illegal. Legal sports betting is the way to go. And it certainly isn’t the problem; unregulated platforms are.
“Let’s focus on where the real risks are. Legal, regulated sports betting sites offer tools that make sports betting a safe hobby. We’re all ready for the start of the NFL season. But imagine this. It’s Week 1, you are watching all the games. And suddenly, you can’t place a bet on an anytime touchdown from your favorite quarterback. That’s what’s on the table right now in Ohio. What are we doing? When states regulate betting, illegal activity drops. It’s that simple. It’s just smart public policy.”
“Imagine this. It’s Week 1…And suddenly, you can’t place a bet on an anytime touchdown from your favorite quarterback. That’s what’s on the table right now in Ohio.”
“When states regulate betting, illegal activity drops.”
Todd McShay. pic.twitter.com/MqEkGE7j5M
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 9, 2025
This message is particularly interesting due to McShay’s role at The Ringer, the platform on which he has hosted The McShay Show since 2024.
Back in May, The Ringer received criticism after briefly publishing a post on X that urged its followers to reject a proposal in the Illinois state legislature that would levy a tax on every bet placed in the state. The Ringer notably has a lucrative multi-year deal with FanDuel that makes up a substantial portion of their revenue.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.