Why did you decide to become a legal sports journalist?
I enjoy writing about sports and have a natural interest in politics. As sports gambling and iGaming became available, writing about the legal process to bring them to bettors proved a natural fit.
How do you research and verify information for your articles?
When I see something worth writing, I check primary sources first. This includes legal opinions from judges, legislation filed with the state’s governing bodies, press releases from attorneys general, polls, and finance records from political campaigns. I also check statistics with trusted governing bodies whenever necessary, and I pull up previous decisions on similar topics when appropriate.
What is most important for you when writing legal content?
The most important thing to me is why the reader should care, and what they should care about. When I write, I focus on what the average person who would read this story would want to know, and I try to craft it in a way that makes it easy for them to understand. For example, if an iGaming provider has made a campaign donation to a New York legislative campaign, a reader probably wants to know who is in the race, what the provider’s goals might be, and what the future of related legislation in New York could be if the race goes the way they want. This can help the reader quickly understand why this story is something that affects them and what gambling options will be available to them.
How do you stay up to date with the topics you cover?
I read a lot. I regularly check trusted news sources to see what politicians are talking about, what court cases might be coming up, when a primary election is coming, and what a political campaign is saying. If someone important is talking about sports betting or iGaming, there’s probably a good reason for it.
