Rip City Project
Fansided

NBA’s deal with MGM Resorts is a no-win situation for league

By Shawn P. O’Connor

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: The Official Adam Silver Basketballs sit next to the NBA TV logo before a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers at STAPLES Center on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: The Official Adam Silver Basketballs sit next to the NBA TV logo before a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers at STAPLES Center on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NBA agreed to a three-year deal with MGM Resorts to make MGM the official gaming partner of the NBA, opening up the league to game-fixing controversy.

The NBA has officially partnered with MGM Resorts on a three-year, $25 million deal to make MGM the official gaming partner of the association.  The deal allows MGM Resorts to use league and team logos, game highlights, and live feeds of NBA data feeds, along with the title of official gaming partner of the NBA.

This deal makes the NBA the first league to sign a deal with a gambling corporation, setting a new precedence for sports leagues and organizations in the United States.

More from Rip City Project

In my opinion, this is a terrible move for the NBA – a league who is no stranger to gambling scandals.

In 2007, disgraced ref Tim Donaghy pled guilty to charges related to betting on games he officiated. Donaghy has also alleged that the 2002 NBA finals was fixed by the referees at the encouragement of NBA officials. He also mentioned alleged wrongdoings by the referees in the 2007 Western Conference Finals.

This, of course, ignores the more recent allegations made by fans. The NBA has dealt with terrible officiating for a long time, but fan tension boiled over in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals; a large portion of basketball fans feel as though the Cavs were cheated out of a series opening win.

This is not unique, as fans of all teams can point at a game or two this season where they felt slighted by the league or the officials.

Basketball, especially the NBA, is an incredibly easy sport to manipulate. Calling fouls on a team or player while ignoring others can easily swing a game’s score. Even if the result of the game isn’t manipulated, a gambling company could easily ask for the NBA to have a game finish over or under the “over/under” number depending on which result would pay the most for the casino.

I think the NBA made a terrible mistake signing a contract with MGM Resorts. In a sport historically known for game fixing scandals and can be easily manipulated, the NBA has opened itself up to criticism if a game result looks fishy to any extent.

dark. Next. Blazers won’t end relationship with local business

In an NBA that lacks fan trust or competitive balance, this deal seems ill-advised. The NBA has signed a deal with the devil, and they might pay the price in game integrity.

But with recent shifts, like the NBA Awards being given out at a dramatic show, it’s clear the the league has money on the front of its mind.