The four major professional sports leagues and the National Collegiate Athletic Association are asking members of the House Financial Services Committee to oppose legislation by their chairman, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, that would repeal an Internet gambling ban.

In an April 25 letter, officials from the leagues urge the committee to "reject proposals to reverse itself on this issue."

The committee approved the ban in March 2006 by voice vote. In July, the House voted 317-93 to pass the ban.

"Our sports organizations each have strict policies against sports betting because wagering on sports can corrupt athletic contests or create the appearance of corruption," the letter said.

The Hill, a newspaper that covers Congress, reported the letter came from Martin Gold, a lobbyist for the National Football League.

A call and e-mail to Gold were not returned Tuesday. Before working for the NFL, Gold was a counsel to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who attached the ban to a port security bill last year to win congressional approval.

In addition to the NFL and the NCAA, the letter is signed by officials from the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.

Frank criticized the letter.

"They have a right to their point of view, but this is arrogance on their part," said Frank, D-Mass. "We've offered an exemption for sports leagues in our bill if they don't want people to bet on their games. They're trying to prevent people from doing what they want to do."

__________________
"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs