Like many other sports, basketball, and in turn the NBA, are both subject to match-fixing conspiracies and the controversies that emerge as a result of such theories. We generally lack the concrete evidence needed to make an official statement regarding any proven pattern of match-fixing in the NBA.
However, there have been instances during which the NBA world witnessed potentially truthful yet controversial cases of referee and player corruption, including most notably the case of referee Tim Donaghy in 2007. Despite match-fixing in the league merely being a series of controversial theories and unbacked claims for the moment, I would still stress that knowing of its existence and understanding its implications as a sports fan is crucial. It also raises a far more stressing issue in the modern, complex and intricate dynamic between sports and gambling.
The ultimate contribution that a sport like basketball brings to us is the connection to one another and the overall sense of unity amongst people of different cultures and communities. Basketball unites us, but match-fixing and other forms of misconduct and abuse of power are the most prominent threat to the integrity of the game, and in turn the sense of unity that it provides the world with. For this reason, the NBA puts a lot of time and financial resources into ensuring that the officiating and general decision making for the league (both in and out of game settings) and all members of the community is completely just and holds authoritative authenticity.
Match Fixing's Dynamic Relationship With Sports Betting
I would say that the United States specifically finds itself entering a quite complicated situation in the modern day. Sports betting and gambling have reached new heights, and it is fair to assume that this pattern will only continue moving forward. Around ¾’s of all US states have completely legalized sports betting, and the trend seems to be telling us that we are only getting closer to a complete legalization throughout the country.
What makes this relevant is that the presence of sports gambling both directly and indirectly plays a role in jeopardizing the integrity of the NBA and the authenticity of its storylines year in and year out. The extent to which betting platforms and applications are being publicly advertised and endorsed by subsidiaries of basketball organizations is quite extreme, and is only increasing. For this reason, a lot of sports fans are developing an understanding of betting systems, and are subconsciously more inclined to taking part in these systems that are marketed as enjoyable and exciting additions to the sports-watching experience.
The primary issue with sports betting being so thoroughly implemented and incorporated within the community is that the players and referees are also completely capable of finding out and exploring the different betting lines available for any given game. This introduces the concern that some players or referees could use their knowledge of the betting lines and adjust their in-real-life performance to assist in certain bets hitting and others missing. This concern is one that calls into question the integrity of the entire league, as the most enjoyable characteristic that sports fans enjoy and are drawn to is the factor of the unknown. Sports are so fascinating because there is never a fixed or predetermined result for a matchup or box score–or at least that's what we hope for. Match-fixing would completely take away from the beauty of the unpredictability of sports. The influence of betting on the aforementioned league-wide controversies and theories is quite substantial. It has been, and will continue to be in the NBA’s best interest to mitigate such controversial theories and maintain a sense of authenticity and order amongst league members and the entire community.
The NBA is most enjoyable and entertaining when there is an overwhelming sense of parity across the league. I’m sure that many others would agree with me in saying that entering a new season without a clear-cut favorite for the title is a great feeling. A sense of total parity allows for more competitive seasons, with the absence of overly dominant teams practically running away with the title from early on. I believe that a true basketball fan, regardless of the team they support personally, would be very appreciative and content with a season where their team loses but the overall level of competition and parity league-wide is optimal. Match-fixing is the greatest existing threat to the integrity of our beloved sport and league, and the continually increasing presence of sports betting in our modern, more digitally connected communities is causing genuine concerns to emerge that it is important for us to keep an eye on.