Sarah Phillips Gambling Column Fiasco: Who To Blame
As they often do, DeadSpin.com did an excellent job exposing the scam of a Sarah Phillips, an overnight sensational gambling columnist for Covers.com, who was quickly hired by ESPN.com.
Ultimately, the only person who should be castigated is the criminal Phillips. Covers.com is a competitor of ours. They have a well-earned good reputation. The fact they gravy-trained the shtick of a poster who may or may not be a women is a venial sin. We hold them blameless. 
It is commonplace for websites to hire writers based on samples, without every having met that person. It’s been done at OffshoreInsiders.com and it’s been done at The OffshoreInsiders.com Network sports news, previews, free picks site on ScoresOddsPicks.com.
Considering ESPN is the worldwide leader in multi-media—their writers not only write, but also appear on their TV networks, radio network, podcasts, and videos, conspiracy theorists at least have some basis to wonder if the four-letter evil empire had willful ignorance.
Ultimately, it is Phillips who is at fault and the only one to be held accountable. Covers did what gamblers do—rode the hot hand. ESPN was reckless in bringing on the overnight sensation and certainly has egg in their face for their blunder.
But it’s Phillips who is the criminal.
The author Joe Duffy, is CEO of the top sports betting site in the world OffshoreInsiders.com
