'Losing Behavior Done by Losers': Mat Ishbia Blasts NBA Tanking Culture
By Current Affairs Viva |
PHOENIX, Az. — The NBA is currently embroiled in a "civil war" of philosophies. Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia took to social media on Thursday, February 19, to launch a blistering attack on the practice of tanking, calling it a disgrace that is "much worse than any prop bet scandal."
Ishbia’s comments were triggered by a Yahoo Sports report detailing the "strategic losing" of several teams as the 2026 NBA Draft approaches. His stance has set the stage for a massive showdown with other high-profile owners, most notably the Mavericks' Mark Cuban.
Ishbia’s Stand: Integrity Over Strategy
Ishbia, who has been aggressive in trading for stars like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal since taking over the Suns, argued that purposely losing games destroys the fabric of professional sports.
"This is ridiculous! Tanking is losing behavior done by losers. Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically."
The Suns owner emphasized that fans who pay for tickets are the primary victims of this "strategy," as they are often subjected to "purposely shutting down players" and uncompetitive rosters.
The Great Debate: Ishbia vs. Cuban
The controversy highlights a growing rift in the NBA Board of Governors. Earlier this week, Mark Cuban argued the opposite, suggesting the league should "embrace" tanking as a legitimate tool for rebuilding and maintaining "fan hope."
| Perspective | Mat Ishbia (Suns) | Mark Cuban (Mavericks) |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Winning is the only standard; tanking is "loser" behavior. | Long-term hope is more important than short-term wins. |
| Integrity | Tanking is worse than gambling scandals. | Tanking is a fan-first rebuilding strategy. |
| Proposed Fix | Supports "massive changes" from Adam Silver. | Suggests embracing it as part of the business model. |
Adam Silver’s Brewing Crisis
This war of words comes at a sensitive time for Commissioner Adam Silver. The league has already handed out heavy fines this month, including $500,000 to the Utah Jazz and $100,000 to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players.
Furthermore, the comparison to "prop bet scandals" hits a nerve. With an active federal investigation involving players like Terry Rozier regarding illegal gambling and insider information, Ishbia’s claim that tanking is a greater threat to the game’s soul puts immense pressure on the league office to act during the upcoming offseason.
What’s Next?
With the 2026 NBA Draft featuring a highly-coveted "blue-chip" class, the incentive to lose has never been higher for struggling franchises. However, with owners like Ishbia now publicly demanding "massive changes," the NBA may be forced to overhaul the lottery system once and for all this summer.
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