“Removing Tanking Incentives Aligns NBA, NFL Team Goals”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently addressed a significant issue within professional sports: the problem of tanking. He highlighted that the current incentives for teams to win games are misaligned, particularly when it comes to securing prime draft picks.
Understanding Tanking in Professional Sports
Tanking refers to the strategy where teams deliberately underperform to improve their chances of acquiring top talent in the draft. While this practice is widely recognized in the NBA, it also occurs in the NFL.
- NBA and NFL: Both leagues face challenges with teams not striving for victories.
- Player Welfare: This strategy often leads teams to bench their best athletes, undermining competitive integrity.
Examples of Tanking
One recent case involved the Las Vegas Raiders towards the end of the 2025 season. The team opted to shut down key players, Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers, which seemingly improved their odds for the first overall draft pick.
Proposed Solutions to Align Incentives
To combat the issue of tanking, Silver proposed a revolutionary change in the draft order determination. His recommendations include:
- Lottery System: Making the draft a random lottery where every team has an equal chance for top picks.
- Aligning Wins with Draft Picks: Awarding the top draft pick to the Super Bowl champion, thereby promoting competitive play.
- Player Empowerment: Allowing incoming players to choose their first NFL teams.
Considerations and Challenges
Critics worry that modifying the system could perpetuate inequality. However, many underperforming teams remain stuck at the bottom despite receiving high draft picks.
Ultimately, reforming the draft system could enhance the integrity of both the NBA and NFL. As Silver noted, the goal is to remove any incentives for teams to tank, ensuring that every game remains competitive and engaging for fans.
