"Economists Joe Price of Brigham Young University and Justin Wolfers of the University of Pennsylvania found that players get called for 4 percent fewer fouls by officials of their same race."
I am not convinced of this because there are so many mitigating factors, and if there is only "4% racial bias," then I think we are doing quite well. Most researchers accept a +-5% error in their stats anyway, so I think it's safe to say that there is essentially no racial bias in NBA refereeing.
What really needs to be studied is if there is star-power bias in the NBA. That is, do star players get called for fewer fouls than do lesser players? I am convinced that there is star-power bias. Many game announcers suggest that there is and I perceive the same in the games that I watch. The star-power bias is the main reason I don't much care for NBA basketball.
3 comments:
Regardless of what the official NBA stance is, there is "star bias". The NBA NEEDS to have their star players play all game long, hence less fouls. TV market, ticket sales, etc. are all key components to marketablity of the NBA. That is the main reason the NBA changed fouling out from five fouls to six. In all other levels of basketball you foul out on your fifth foul. On the other side, as a basketball official myself, I am not biased by race, rather by behavior. After officiating the same players week after week, I know what they do and how they behave. With some players you HAVE to be stricter on some calls while others you can be more leinent. i.e. some players will "flop" everytime they are bumped...I don't call a charge. Others truly do hold their stance and get knocked over...hence the charge call. Just my opinion, star bias exists far more than racial bias.
I'm glad someone agrees with me that star bias exists, and if it is indeed the case that the NBA sanctions or even encourages star bias for profit purposes, then it didn't work with me. It is a big turnoff for me.
I am very much with you. I believe there is star-bias.
Maybe 'star-fear' might be better. It is just a lot easier to call a foul on rookie blow-joe than Kobe B. If you have to take grief from a star, if stars spread the word that you don't like them, your days might be numbered as an employee.
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