The prevalence of gambling has yet to create serious issues for the NFL. For the NBA, it’s a different story.
Widespread talk of multiple teams tanking in the hopes of landing high in the coming draft lottery has resulted in an uptick in “load management,” with healthy players not playing in games.
The NBA has taken action on the issue. Via ESPN.com, the league has fined multiple teams for compromising the integrity of games by sitting players who could have played.
Specifically, the NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000.
“Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games,” Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Additionally, we are working with our Competition Committee and Board of Governors to implement further measures to root out this type of conduct.”
The move comes at a time when some are questioning whether it’s time for Silver to go. He succeeded David Stern 12 years ago.
The failure of teams to at all times put their best players on the field undermines both the integrity of the games and the integrity of the wagers on the game. It also creates a new vein of inside information, with those who know that certain players won’t play in certain games possessing knowledge that can be leveraged into winning bets.
Part of the problem is that the NBA plays 82 games. The non-contenders are known well before the regular season ends. For the NFL, which plays (for now) 17 games, there are fewer opportunities to overtly tank.
Still, isn’t that what the Raiders did by shutting down defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers with two games to play? Crosby was livid, to the point that he may truly not want to remain with the team.
The decision of both the NBA and the NFL to welcome millions in sponsorship dollars from sportsbooks raises the stakes. The possibility of a reckoning hovers over both sports. And with the NBA already embroiled in a full-blown gambling scandal, it needs to be vigilant if/when teams aren’t trying their best to win.
Even then, it feels like it’s just a matter of time before the shit fully hits the fan for both leagues. The problem is that both leagues seem to be content to continue cramming gambling money into their pockets until the consequences come.
As a wise cartoon duck once said, “Consequences, shmonsequences. As long as I’m rich.”
