Bodog Press Release - pete rose mock trial odds

July 16, 2003

Bodog.com offering odds on ESPN Mock Trial of Pete Rose

San Jose, Costa Rica - Bodog.com, an online sportsbook, has made "Induct" the odds-on favorite for the outcome of the Pete Rose mock trial airing on ESPN this Thursday.

"Public opinion seems to be have been swinging in Rose's favor for some time now," said Bodog.com President, Rob Gillespie. "With that, and the fact that Johnnie Cochrane is arguing his case, our bookmakers have made inducting Rose a favorite."

Bettors can place wagers on three possible outcomes of the mock trial. Induct is a 5/7 favorite, while Do Not Induct is an even money Underdog. The option of Hung Jury pays 2/1.

Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz will be making the case for the "Do Not Induct" side.

"Obviously Dershowitz is quite capable of making an excellent case for himself," said Gillespie. "But he may have too large of an obstacle to overcome in the outpouring of support for Rose."

"There may be some on the jury who feel his statistics alone will be enough to get him into the Hall of Fame and his betting on baseball may not have anything to do with his induction," said Gillespie. "That just might be the determining factor in this mock trial."

This is the second time this year that Bodog.com has offered a special proposition wager on Pete Rose. In late February the online sportsbook offered odds on Pete Rose's possible reinstatement by Major League Baseball.

"That was an immensely popular proposition wager for us," said Gillespie. "Our players, especially those in Cincinnati loved the chance to bet on Pete Rose. Obviously the irony wasn't lost on them."