The Mavericks plan to hire a former professional sports gambler in the role of "strategic thinker," ESPN.com reported, citing the move as another example of how the NBA is embracing the gambling industry.
Bob Voulgaris, who for years made a living betting on NBA games, will carry the title director of quantitative research and development, unidentified league sources told ESPN.
Known for his deep analytics, expertise on coaches' strategies and individual on-court officials' tendencies, Voulgaris' popular Twitter feed regularly offered NBA information, opinions and data.
According to ESPN, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is expected, in part, to use Voulgaris "as a strategic thinker who will help examine on-court strategy in big-picture ways."
The NBA has been at the forefront of embracing the state-by-state legalization of sports wagering as teams are inspired to better use data and betting expertise, not only for on-court performance but also to create new revenue streams.
