Mat Ishbia Blasts NBA Tanking Issue as Worse Than Prop Bet Scandals

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia condemned the NBA tanking issue on Thursday, labeling the strategic throwing of games a disgrace to the league.

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia condemned the league's culture of intentional defeat on Thursday, labeling the practice of purposely losing games as "losing behavior done by losers." Responding to a report regarding the current competitive landscape, Ishbia asserted that throwing games is "much worse than any prop bet scandal." The executive highlighted that while it makes sense for struggling rosters to receive high draft picks, shutting down healthy players is a disgrace that directly impacts professional integrity. He noted that the deliberate avoidance of victory undermines the fundamental spirit of sports, sacrificing balance for future assets.

Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the severity of non-competitive strategies during his All-Star Weekend news conference, noting the problem has worsened this year. Silver confirmed the league is evaluating mediation options to deter such behavior, including the potential forfeiture of draft picks. Multiple organizations were assessed fines prior to the All-Star break for sitting available talent. Ishbia expressed confidence that the commissioner would find a solution to tactics he described as embarrassing for both the NBA and individual franchises. The league office has been monitoring injury reports more stringently to ensure stars take the court when physically capable.

Ishbia emphasized that the race for the bottom is particularly harmful to fans who pay money to cheer for their teams. He argued that treating failure as a viable "strategy" is ridiculous and detrimental to rosters currently competing for playoff spots. The Suns owner noted that purposely losing disregards the people who support the sport on a daily basis. Silver echoed these sentiments, stating his job involves reminding stakeholders not to lose sight of the long-term health of the fan base. When a franchise pivots away from winning, it effectively negates the season tickets purchased by loyal supporters who expect maximum effort.

Phoenix is currently in a position where they cannot benefit from losing due to roster moves made since Ishbia took control in 2023. Because of various trades, the Suns do not have control over their own first-round draft pick until 2032. This lack of capital reinforces a stance against throwing games, as the organization must rely on active competition rather than lottery positioning. Ishbia called on other power figures to speak out against manipulating standings, characterizing the behavior as a betrayal of the community. The aggressive pursuit of veterans like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal serves as a direct antithesis to the rebuilding models utilized by bottom-tier franchises.

During the 2023-24 season, the league implemented a new Player Participation Policy to combat the frequent resting of stars. This mandate ensures marquee names are available for nationally televised games and in-season tournament matchups. Fines for violating these rules start at $100,000 for a first offense and can escalate to over $1 million for repeated infractions. Ishbia believes financial penalties alone may not stop the rot, suggesting the culture of failure must be addressed at the ownership level. He maintains that the pursuit of a championship should be an annual commitment rather than a cyclical event dependent on ping-pong balls.

Statistical data shows a significant drop in win percentages for the bottom five teams compared to the previous decade. This trend highlights a growing prevalence of teams racing for generational prospects. Ishbia pointed out that this creates a tiered system where a portion of the schedule becomes unwatchable. By prioritizing draft odds over on-court performance, these organizations are effectively opting out of the entertainment business. The Suns owner insists that revenue-sharing models should perhaps be tied to competitive benchmarks to discourage such tactics.

Silver has previously explored a relegation system, similar to European soccer, though he admitted it would be difficult to implement with the current G League structure. Instead, the league flattened lottery odds, giving the three worst teams an equal 14% chance at the number one overall pick. Despite these changes, Ishbia argues the incentive to fail remains too high for teams stuck in the middle of the standings. He suggests the psychological impact of accepting defeat permeates an entire organization, making it harder to regain a winning edge in subsequent years. The Phoenix executive remains adamant that the only fix is a collective agreement among owners to prioritize the product on the floor.