Spiros "The Greek" Athanas
Spiros “The Greek” Athanas is the founder of TheGreek.com, formerly known as Olympic Sports. In the mid-1990s, he helped revolutionize the industry by launching one of the first online sportsbooks catering to North American bettors. Known as both a sharp bookmaker and bettor, Spiros earned a reputation as one of the top NBA bettors of his time. Under his leadership, Olympic Sports became renowned for taking high-stakes action and always paying promptly, popularizing the slogan “Sweat the game, not the payout.” His influence helped shape the modern online betting landscape.
George "Skip" Chonoplis
1952–2021
George “Skip” Chonoplis was a highly respected and hands-on bookmaker. He founded Bet Grande, an international sportsbook that became a staple line for bookmakers around the world, especially when it came to US sports. Skip was well-regarded for his honesty, integrity, and generosity. His no-nonsense approach to bookmaking allowed him to accept bets from all types of bettors, including sharp ones.
Leo Hirschfield
1895–1968
Leo Hirschfield was the creator of the “Minneapolis Line,” the go to sports betting line in the 1950s for bookmakers and bettors throughout all of North America. He published The “Green Sheet” – the predecessor to The “Gold Sheet” which was a valuable resource for bettors. His work laid the foundation for modern sports betting practices and influenced many who came after him. Hirschfield is often referred to as the “father of the lines” due to his contributions and lasting impact on the sports gambling industry.
Eugene Nolan
1930–2021
Eugene Nolan was an exceptional sports bettor and bookmaker who had a long and lucrative career, spanning over 50 years. Nolan was nicknamed “The Swamper” as a nod to his Louisiana roots. Eugene’s expertise extended beyond bets; he is credited with teaching others how to navigate the business and get their start in the field. Eugene Nolan is remembered by his peers in the industry for his honor and his integrity.
Paris Smith
Paris Smith began her career in 1995 as a clerk at World Wide Tele Sports (WWTS) and steadily rose through the ranks to become a leading figure in the sports betting industry. She played key leadership roles at WWTS and Betcorp before joining Pinnacle, where she helped guide the company’s expansion into European and Asian markets. As CEO of Pinnacle for over 18 years, she built the brand into a global benchmark for integrity, sharp pricing, and operational excellence. Widely respected for breaking gender barriers and shaping the offshore betting landscape, her impact on the industry has been both pioneering and lasting.
Jeff Whitelaw
Jeff Whitelaw is a professional sports bettor and elite handicapper who has turned a profit in 34 of the past 35 years. Renowned for his expertise in futures and proposition wagers, he was a pioneer in 1st and 2nd half betting during its early development. Whitelaw played a key role in shaping the efficient pricing models used today, especially in props, alternative spreads, and season win totals. His insights and innovations were instrumental in setting odds for offshore powerhouses BetCris and Olympic Sports. He remains a trusted consultant for major sportsbooks and a respected figure in the sports betting world.