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There have been several allegations and instances of basketball games being fixed or rigged, with some of the most popular basketball leagues in the world involved in these scandals. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has been at the centre of these accusations, with claims that referees have been influenced to make specific calls to extend series and increase revenue. One of the most notable cases involves Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee who admitted to fixing games to enrich gamblers and cover spreads. Donaghy's actions have raised concerns about the integrity of the sport and the influence of profit incentives. While the NBA has faced the most scrutiny, other basketball leagues and competitions are not immune to similar allegations, as fans and observers often express suspicions of foul play after close games or lopsided foul counts.
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What You'll Learn
Tim Donaghy: NBA referee who conspired to fix games
Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting wagering information through interstate commerce. Donaghy, who had a gambling addiction, initially received $2,000 per correct pick, but his accuracy led to an increase in his take to $5,000. In total, he received $300,000 to pass inside information to bookies.
Donaghy was involved in a betting scandal that claimed fix-ups on certain games. He admitted that he felt the Suns were the better team in the 2007 Playoffs, but that the series was poorly officiated. In his 2009 book, he wrote about his supervisor during the series, Tommy Nuñez, and the San Antonio Spurs' victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Donaghy's lawyer filed a document alleging that Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings had been fixed by two referees. The document claimed that Donaghy told federal agents that NBA executives sought to manipulate games using referees to increase television ratings and ticket sales.
Donaghy was found guilty of betting on games he officiated and was sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He had a notable temper and a penchant for revenge, which influenced his involvement in the scandal. His actions led to an independent investigation and the revision of guidelines for NBA referees' behaviour.
The NBA responded to ESPN's story on Donaghy, stating that the matter had concluded over a decade ago and expressing dissatisfaction with the accuracy of the article. They highlighted the comprehensive nature of the Pedowitz investigation and the lack of evidence of a meaningful pattern of Donaghy influencing games.
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Profit incentives: extending series for financial gain
There is a perception that the NBA rigs games to extend a series and increase profits. This is fuelled by the fact that referees are salaried by the NBA and that bad calls are rarely corrected. The NBA makes millions with each additional game, and a longer series attracts a larger audience, bringing in more revenue.
This was evident in the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings, where the Lakers had significantly more free throw attempts in the fourth quarter of Game 6, winning that game and ultimately the series. Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy alleged that referees wanted to extend the series to seven games, claiming that top NBA executives manipulated games using referees to increase television ratings and ticket sales.
Another example is the 2017 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Thunder, where the Warriors player Draymond Green was pulled from Game 5, and Steph Curry was ejected in Game 6 after several incorrect foul calls. These decisions appeared to be influenced by the potential financial gains of extending the series.
The NBA has been criticised for not allowing instant replay reviews of foul calls, which could help address concerns about fixed games and profit incentives. Instead, the league has a rule disallowing player protests, which some perceive as an attempt to maintain the infallibility of the referees and avoid discussions about the potential financial motivations behind certain decisions.
While it is challenging to prove definitively that the NBA fixes games for financial gain, the combination of referee influence, profit incentives, and rare corrections of bad calls creates a perception of potential manipulation.
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Steph Curry: unfair calling of fouls
There have been several instances where people have questioned the integrity of the NBA, with some believing that the league is rigged to favour certain teams or players. One player who has been at the centre of these discussions is Steph Curry, the superstar point guard for the Golden State Warriors.
In 2017, during the NBA Finals, Curry was called for six fouls in Game 6, leading to his ejection from the game. Many observers, including casual fans and Warriors coach Steve Kerr, felt that several of these calls were incorrect and unfairly targeted Curry. This perception was reinforced in Game 7, when Curry was called for fouls despite appearing to be the one being fouled.
Kerr has since elaborated on his belief that Curry does not receive the same foul calls as other NBA stars due to his unique playing style. Curry is known for playing off the ball frequently, and Kerr argues that officials are not accustomed to making calls for fouls that occur away from the basket. As a result, defenders are able to hold and grab Curry without being penalised.
However, not everyone agrees with this assessment. Some NBA players, in an anonymous poll, cited Curry as a player who receives preferential treatment from referees. They believe that his superstar status influences the calls made by officials, resulting in Curry receiving more favourable foul calls than other players.
The NBA has faced criticism for the subjective nature of foul calls and the lack of consistent criteria for officiating. While instant replay reviews can help correct blatantly incorrect calls, they are rarely utilised by the league. As a result, bad calls by referees are often accepted as part of the game, leaving fans and players frustrated and questioning the integrity of the league.
While it is challenging to definitively prove whether foul calls are unfairly targeted at Steph Curry, the perception of unfairness exists among fans, coaches, and players. This perception has fuelled speculation about the NBA's motives and the potential influence of profit incentives on the league's officiating decisions.
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Suspicious officiating: favouring certain teams
There have been several instances where officiating in the NBA has been called into question, with some believing that certain teams are favoured by referees. One of the most famous cases involves Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee who was involved in a betting scandal. Donaghy admitted that he had illegally manipulated games he officiated to cover spreads and influence gambling outcomes. He specifically referenced Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, alleging that referees extended the series to seven games to increase television ratings and ticket sales. This game saw the Lakers take 40 free throw attempts compared to the Kings' 25, with a significant disparity in the fourth quarter.
Another incident involved the Golden State Warriors and their record-breaking 73rd win. Some observers noted that the officiating in this game and the subsequent finals games against the Thunder favoured the Warriors. In particular, the ejection of Steph Curry in Game 6 due to incorrect foul calls and the pulling of Draymond Green, a key player, from Game 5 were seen as suspicious. These decisions appeared to be influenced by the profit incentive, as each additional game brings in millions of dollars for the NBA.
The NBA has faced criticism for its handling of bad calls and the lack of instant replay reviews. Unlike other sports, correcting a bad call through reviewing tape is rare in the NBA, and bad calls by referees are often accepted as part of the game. This has led to concerns about the integrity of the league and the influence of profit motives on officiating decisions. While it is challenging to prove favouritism or rigging definitively, these incidents and perceptions have fuelled debates about potential biases and the need for increased transparency and accountability in officiating.
In addition to Tim Donaghy, there have been allegations of suspicious officiating by other referees in the NBA. One particular case involved Game 6 of the 1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament finals between Larry Bird's team and Magic Johnson's Michigan State Spartans. Bird claimed that Commissioner Stern had requested the game be officiated in the Lakers' favour to extend the series to seven games, citing the league's financial interests. While it is unclear if these allegations are true, they add to the perception of potential favouritism and the influence of monetary gains in officiating decisions.
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Race and culture: embracing hip-hop culture
Basketball and hip-hop culture have long been intertwined, with the two worlds growing closer together throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Both basketball and hip-hop have been described as having been "repurposed" for black people, with hip-hop's roots in black culture, and basketball's historical association with black athletes.
Hip-hop artists have referenced basketball players and the NBA in their music, with Kurtis Blow mentioning Julius Erving and Moses Malone in his 1984 hit 'Basketball'. This symbiotic relationship between the two cultures has also seen NBA players step into the world of hip-hop, with some launching their own hip-hop careers.
The fashion choices of NBA players have also been influenced by hip-hop, with players adopting styles such as oversized clothing, flat-brimmed hats, and du-rags. This has led to some pushback from the NBA, with the introduction of a dress code in 2005 that aimed to limit the "hip-hop" influence on the league's image. This dress code has been criticised as being motivated by race and a fear of the "thugish" aesthetic associated with hip-hop.
Despite these efforts, the connection between basketball and hip-hop culture has persisted, with players like LeBron James and Chris Paul making fashion statements that blend hip-hop and basketball styles. The language of basketball has also been influenced by hip-hop, with broadcasters like Stuart Scott incorporating hip-hop slang into their commentary.
The racial dynamics of basketball and hip-hop are complex, with both cultures attracting participants and fans from diverse racial backgrounds. However, the influence of black culture in both spheres is undeniable, and the connection between the two has helped to amplify the voices of black athletes and artists, providing a platform for resistance and self-expression.
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Frequently asked questions
Many fans and sports journalists have accused the NBA of rigging games, particularly high-profile finals games, in order to increase revenue. The NBA has also been accused of rigging games to increase the number of games in a series, as each additional game makes the NBA millions. The NBA has denied these accusations.
In 2008, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy admitted that he had illegally manipulated games he officiated to cover spreads. Donaghy also alleged that Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings had been fixed by two referees in order to extend the series to seven games.
Donaghy was sacked and sent to federal prison for his role in the NBA betting scandal.
Donaghy would influence other referees to fix games by getting into their heads and telling them what to do. He also took advantage of the NBA's no-gambling policy to fix games and cover spreads.
Some have suggested that the NBA should allow for instant replay on all fouls. Others have called for more transparency and accountability from the league.
