Basketball Statistics Blog

Basketball Statistician's Digest:
Researchers' NBA officiating study detects biases,
but not necessarily the ones fans suspect

From Oregon Live By Rachel Bachman, The Oregonian
Download source here: ' Researchers' NBA officiating study detects biases,
but not necessarily the ones fans suspect '

"... An academic study of NBA officiating found little to no evidence that referees favor teams from large media markets in the playoffs, a favorite conspiracy theory of skeptical fans. ..."

"... The researchers looked at six seasons of turnover statistics. They used ones where referees wield relatively little influence, such as a bad pass or steal, as a "control" group, and compared them with ones where referees wield greater influence, such as traveling and offensive fouls. ..."

"... Still, the study concludes that the detected referee biases, though probably unintentional, could increase the league's revenues through additional ticket sales and television appearances by reducing the number of blowout games and making televised games more compelling. ..."

"... More playoff games typically produce more ticket and television revenue for the NBA. Consequently, officials could make calls to enhance those revenues in order to please their employer, the study says. It also says referees "may have made calls in attempts to please the crowd or players, without being cognizant of their effects on league profitability." ..."

"... The study also has not been accepted for publication, a process that includes a robust peer review. It was declined by the first journal to which it was submitted, though academic articles often are rejected by several journals before being accepted. The journal's editor said he does not comment on specific submissions. ..."

"... 'There has been a bias in the NBA for at least the last 20 years. Primarily towards superstars and I believe to a lesser extent for the home team.

I can recall when Clyde Drexler was in his rookie year and was guarding Moses Malone on an in bound pass. Malone shoved Clyde to create separation before the ball was thrown in. Clyde looked at the ref, who was standing next to Malone and Clyde and looked at him as if saying "didn't you see what he just did" the ref in return gave him a look that said "just play on." There would be no way Clyde could have done that to Malone and not gotten a call.' ..."

Read more in Oregon Live

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