The likelihood that the NBA is rigged whenever the commish wants to extend a series or improve a landmark franchise doesn’t mean that people are have to enjoy it any less. Pro wrestling seems to be doing just fine, after all:
According to a new survey of 907 people released exclusively to Ad Age today, more than one-third (37%) of respondents believe that the National Basketball Association somewhat or very likely alters the outcomes of its games.
Even prior to disgraced referee Tim Donaghy’s allegations earlier this week that NBA executives and referees manipulated game results to boost ticket sales and TV ratings, more than one-third of respondents believe that the NBA somewhat or very likely alters the outcomes of its games. The YouGovPolimetrix Omnibus Poll found that among “casual” or “avid” fans, an even higher number, 41%, think it’s either very likely or somewhat likely that the NBA alters the outcome of games.
The ominous factor here is that the more you watch the NBA, the mroe likely you are to believe that it’s occasionally fixed. This doesn’t seem to take a rocket science, considering the two big and questionable trades that have miraculously resulted in a rehash of the classic Celtics-Lakers Finals.