Japan pulls the plug on Sumo

Jamie Hinks
July 6, 2010
1 Comment

I don’t get it. A sport, which is loved by millions in its homeland, and makes a fair amount of money for the broadcaster, is being castigated. If it wasn’t punishment enough that they have to be morbidly obese to take part, Japanese national broadcaster NHK has pulled its Sumo coverage, due to the betting scandal currently engulfing the sport. Imagine the reaction if Sky pulled coverage of Premier League soccer, after some Championship players had been found betting in-play on lawn bowls? Well at least now the national broadcaster can now air endless re-runs of Pete Rose’s career in baseball. Read more.