When five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Jason Mercier appeared on the the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on ESPN last month, he was introduced as a "poker junkie" and asked point blank if he had gambling problem.
By the time the interview wrapped up, two things about the mainstream sports media were clear: Most knew very little about poker, and for hosts Dan Le Batard and Jon "Stugotz" Weiner at least, the perception is that poker players are more akin to problem gamblers than professionals.