Helena Frye
Point shaving is a type of match-fixing in basketball where players are bribed by gamblers to influence the final score margin without changing the winning team. While the practice is illegal in some countries, it has persisted in basketball due to its scoring tempo and the ease with which a single player can impact key events. Notable scandals include the Boston College scandal of 1978-79, orchestrated by gangster Henry Hill, and the Tulane scandal of 1984-85, which led the university to disband its basketball program for four seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is point shaving? | A type of match-fixing where perpetrators try to change the final score of a game without intending to change the winner. |
| How does it work? | Gamblers manipulate the point spread by shaving off a few points, usually by bribing players to miss shots or drop the ball. |
| Is it illegal? | Yes, point shaving is illegal in some countries, and those caught can face stiff penalties, including jail time. In the US, point shaving by an NCAA athlete is a federal crime. |
| Examples of basketball point-shaving scandals | CCNY (1950-1951), Boston College (1978-1979), Tulane (1984-1985), Arizona State (1993-1994), Northwestern (1994-1995), University of Toledo (2004-2006), University of San Diego (2009-2010). |
| Factors contributing to point shaving | Financial gain, vulnerability of players in their junior and senior years, influence of gamblers and mobsters, lack of deterrence, and the high revenues and betting volume in NCAA Men's Basketball. |
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What You'll Learn
How does point shaving work in basketball?
Point shaving is a type of match-fixing in basketball, where players collude with gamblers to manipulate the final score of a game without intending to change the winning team. This is typically done by players accepting bribes from gamblers to prevent their team from covering a published point spread, which is the predicted margin of victory set by bookmakers. The gamblers then wager against the bribed team.
For example, if a team is predicted to win a game by 10 points, the gamblers might bribe the players to ensure their victory margin is less than 10 points. This can be achieved by missing shots, making bad passes, or committing turnovers. The bribed players' team can still win the game, but not by as large a margin as predicted.
Alternatively, players on the team predicted to lose may be bribed to lose by a larger margin than the point spread, and gamblers will bet on their opponents to cover the spread. In some cases, officials or referees may also be bribed to make favourable calls for the team the gamblers have bet on.
Basketball is particularly vulnerable to point shaving due to its fast-paced scoring and the ability for individual players to influence key events. Point shaving scandals have occurred in basketball, with notable examples including the Boston College scandal in 1978-79 and the Tulane scandal in 1984-85, which led to the university disbanding its basketball program for four seasons.
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Is point shaving a form of match-fixing?
Yes, point shaving is a form of match-fixing. It is a type of corruption in sports where players collude with gamblers to manipulate the point spread of a game without intending to change the winning team. The gamblers bribe players to ensure their team does not cover the published point spread, allowing them to wager against the bribed team. This practice is illegal in some countries and can result in stiff penalties, including jail time.
Point-shaving schemes typically involve a sports gambler and one or more players from the team favored to win the game. The players agree to accept bribes in exchange for underperforming and ensuring their team does not cover the point spread. The gambler then bets against the bribed team, expecting them to win but not by a large margin. Alternatively, players on the team predicted to lose may be bribed to lose by more points than the indicated point spread, allowing gamblers to wager on their opponents to cover the spread.
Basketball, particularly NCAA Men's Basketball, has been a target for point-shaving due to its high-scoring tempo and the influence a single player can exert on key events. Notable point-shaving scandals in basketball include the CCNY scandal in 1951, the Boston College scandal in 1978-79, and the Tulane scandal in 1984-85, which led to the university disbanding its basketball program for four seasons.
Point shaving is a form of match-fixing that aims to manipulate the final score of a game without changing the winning team. It is a soft form of corruption that has nonetheless attracted stiff penalties, including jail time, in some countries. The persistence of point shaving in sports underscores the importance of addressing the legitimacy and regulation of financial markets associated with sports betting.
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Is point shaving illegal in all countries?
Point shaving is a type of match-fixing in organised sports, where players collude with gamblers to change the final score of a game without intending to change the winning team. This is typically done by players from the team favoured to win, who, in exchange for a bribe, agree to ensure that their team does not "cover the point spread" (i.e., the team may still win but not by as large a margin as predicted by bookmakers). The gambler then wagers against the bribed team. Alternatively, players from the team predicted to lose may be bribed to lose by more points than the indicated point spread, and gamblers will wager on their opponents.
Point shaving is considered illegal in some countries, with strict penalties for those caught and convicted, including jail time. However, it is unclear from my sources whether it is explicitly illegal in all countries.
Famous examples of point shaving include the CCNY scandal in 1951, the Boston College basketball scandal of 1978-79, and the Tulane men's basketball scandal of 1984-85, which led the university to disband its program for four seasons. More recently, in 2024, Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA due to a point-shaving-like scandal.
Basketball is particularly vulnerable to point shaving due to its scoring tempo and the ease with which a single player can influence key events. For instance, a corrupt player can covertly ensure their team fails to cover the point spread by deliberately missing shots or committing turnovers or fouls.
While point shaving is illegal in some countries, it has persisted in various sports for decades, with individuals finding ways to manipulate the system and avoid detection.
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What are some examples of point shaving in basketball?
Point shaving is a type of match-fixing in basketball where players collude with gamblers to manipulate the point spread of a game without intending to change the winning team. While it is illegal in some countries, it has been a persistent issue in basketball, with several notable scandals over the years. Here are some examples:
CCNY Point-Shaving Scandal (1951)
CCNY, or the City College of New York, was involved in a point-shaving scandal in 1951, although some sources indicate it may have begun as early as 1950. This scandal involved multiple schools and was one of the first major point-shaving schemes exposed. Sherman White, one of the stars on the CCNY team, served time in jail for his involvement.
Boston College Basketball Point-Shaving Scandal (1978-1979)
The Boston College point-shaving scandal was orchestrated by mobster Henry Hill, who was later portrayed in the film "Goodfellas." Hill supplied the finances and connections for the scheme, which involved several Boston College players, including Rick Kuhn. Kuhn received a 28-month sentence for his role in the scandal.
Tulane Men's Basketball Point-Shaving Scandal (1984-1985)
The Tulane scandal involved five players who were accused of shaving points in two games, sharing a $17,000 payout. The key figure was Green Wave star John (Hot Rod) Williams, who went on trial twice and was ultimately acquitted of all charges. As a result of the scandal, Tulane disbanded its basketball program for four seasons.
Arizona State (1993-1994)
The Arizona State scandal began when a player, Stevin Smith, deep in debt from gambling, asked his teammate Isaac Burton Jr. to miss some free throws during a game against Oregon State. Smith was paid $20,000 to influence four games chosen by the mob. Both players ended up serving jail time for their involvement.
University of Toledo (2004-2006)
In 2008, a federal grand jury indicted seven Toledo athletes, including four basketball players, for their involvement in a point-shaving scheme that operated from 2003 to 2006. One of the basketball players, Quinton Broussard, admitted to deliberately fumbling during the 2005 GMAC Bowl. All seven athletes received probation after cooperating with the authorities.
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What are the consequences of point shaving?
Point shaving is a form of match-fixing in basketball, which is illegal in some countries. It involves a gambler bribing one or more players to influence the outcome of a game. While the player's team may still win, they will not do so by as large a margin as predicted.
The consequences of point shaving are far-reaching and can be devastating for all involved. The act is considered a federal crime in the US if committed by an NCAA athlete, with stiff penalties including jail time. For example, Rick Kuhn spent 28 months in prison for his involvement in the Boston College scandal, and Sherman White served a year at Riker's Island. In another instance, only two out of thirty-two players involved in a point-shaving scandal served jail time.
Point shaving can also have a significant financial impact on those involved. In the 1984-85 Tulane scandal, five players were accused of point shaving in two games and shared a $17,000 windfall. John Williams, a central figure in the scandal, received $900 for ensuring that Tulane failed to cover a 10-point spread and then took $4,500 for another game. In the Arizona State scandal, Stevin Smith was paid $20,000 to influence four games.
Point shaving can also lead to the disbandment of sports programs. Following the 1984-85 scandal, Tulane University shut down its basketball program for four years. The Boston College scandal of 1978-79, orchestrated by mobster Henry Hill, also resulted in the disbandment of the school's basketball program for four seasons.
Additionally, point shaving can damage the integrity of the sport and affect the public's trust in basketball games and the organisations that manage them. It can also impact the reputation of the players and the schools involved, leading to negative publicity and potential loss of sponsorships and funding.
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Frequently asked questions
Point shaving is a variation of match fixing where gamblers manipulate the point spread on a game by bribing players to miss shots or let the ball fall to the ground on a key play. The players involved in point shaving are usually those who don't expect to have a lucrative career in basketball, such as those in their senior year.
Yes, point shaving in basketball is illegal and is considered a federal crime if committed by an NCAA athlete. Stiff penalties are imposed on those caught and convicted, including jail time.
There have been several point shaving scandals in basketball, including the Boston College scandal of 1978-79, the Tulane scandal of 1984-85, and the Arizona State scandal of 1993-94.
Point shaving is done because it allows gamblers to manipulate betting markets and make large sums of money. Basketball is particularly vulnerable to point shaving because of the scoring tempo of the game and the influence one player can have on key events.
