9 of the Biggest Match-Fixing Scandals That Have Hit the NBA: Here’s How They Happened
Explore some of the most shocking controversies that have shaken the NBA, from rigged calls to betting rings, changing the league's landscape and impacting the basketball world.
NBA Origins and Evolution
The National Basketball Association (NBA) started in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America. In 1949, it merged with the National Basketball League, forming the NBA as we know it today—one of the most influential sports leagues worldwide.
Beginning in small arenas, the NBA gained fame through icons like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The 1980s spotlighted the intense Magic Johnson–Larry Bird rivalry, while the 1990s saw Michael Jordan transform the NBA into a global cultural phenomenon.
Today, stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant have expanded the league’s global influence, turning basketball into a major entertainment and business enterprise.
Growing Popularity and Emerging Risks
"As the NBA's popularity and financial stakes increased, so did the risks."
The rapid growth of global sports betting, now a multi-billion-dollar industry, has created new opportunities for corruption and manipulation within the league.
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Author’s summary: The NBA’s journey from humble beginnings to a global powerhouse has been shadowed by match-fixing scandals fueled by the rise of sports betting and increasing financial stakes.
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