NBA Fines Reflect Pressure from Gambling Companies, Reporter Says

Former Washington Post reporter and current co-host of the “Greatest of All Talk” podcast, Ben Golliver, said that one reason NBA commissioner Adam Silver has begun issuing hefty fines to teams is that he is being pressured by gambling companies.

Golliver Talks About the Relationship Between NBA Fines And Gambling Companies

Talking on the “Jim Rome Show,” Golliver said that everyone understands how deeply the NBA has become intertwined with gambling, with over-unders and player props heavily impacted. He added that if coaches casually choose not to play certain players for full games without informing anyone in advance, it could lead to a significant number of frustrated bettors and gambling companies.

The particular instance of tanking Golliver is referring to involves the Utah Jazz, who hold the sixth-worst record in the league at 18–38 and have virtually no path to the playoffs. Last week, the NBA fined the team $500,000 for resting healthy players in two recent games. In those contests, All-Stars Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. remained on the bench for the entire fourth quarter, despite both games being competitive.

Jazz coach Will Hardy stated that he never contemplated giving the players additional time on the court and said their limited late-game minutes were due to medical reasons. According to Hardy, Markkanen was on a minutes restriction, while Jackson Jr. had a growth discovered on his knee in early February. It was announced last week that Jackson will undergo season-ending surgery.

Sportsbooks and Prediction Markets Have an Increased Interest in the NBA

Golliver also suggested that interest in NBA gambling has surged dramatically in recent years, with thousands of dollars wagered on individual games. He noted, however, that if teams fail to inform betting companies about unconventional game plans, it becomes challenging for sportsbooks to set accurate lines, potentially creating disruption in the industry.

As the sports betting industry expands, all professional leagues are striving to maintain solid relationships with gambling companies. The NBA, having faced several major gambling scandals over the past three years, is determined to take every measure to prevent a repeat of those issues.

Despite that, in a time when many sports leagues are seemingly endorsing prediction markets, the NBA seems to be staying further away. Earlier this week, Silver stated that the NBA maintains a clear stance on prediction markets, saying they clearly constitute a form of gambling.