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NBA Teams Admit Willingness to Pay Millions in Tanking Fines
Billionaire owners see draft picks as more valuable than fines, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Published on Feb. 18, 2026
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ESPN's Bobby Marks revealed that some NBA teams have admitted they are willing to pay millions in fines for tanking, as team owners view the ability to draft top prospects as more valuable than the penalties. This highlights the ongoing issue of tanking in the league, which affects the integrity of the game and frustrates fans.
Why it matters
Tanking has been a persistent problem in the NBA, as teams that are out of playoff contention intentionally lose games to improve their draft position. This practice undermines the competitive nature of the league and deprives fans of meaningful games. While the NBA has implemented fines for tanking, the revelation that some teams are willing to pay these fines suggests the current penalties are not enough of a deterrent.
The details
According to Marks, an anonymous NBA team texted him saying, "Listen, what is it? Seven million? Eight million? How much is it going to cost? We'll pay the fine." This indicates that for some billionaire team owners, the ability to draft a top prospect is worth far more than the financial penalties the league imposes for tanking. The report comes after the NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for sitting out healthy players, which the league deemed "conduct detrimental to the league."
- The NBA will begin the second half of the season in a few days.
- The Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers were recently fined for tanking-related conduct.
The players
Bobby Marks
An ESPN analyst who revealed the tanking fine admission from an anonymous NBA team.
Adam Silver
The NBA Commissioner who has been urged to impose stricter penalties for tanking.
Steve Ballmer
The billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, who is among the richest people in the world with a net worth of $140 billion.
What they’re saying
“When you're a billionaire, you'll write a blank check for the ability to draft in the top three or top four because those players are transformational and everything.”
— Bobby Marks, ESPN Analyst (The Hoop Collective)
“Listen, what is it? Seven million? Eight million? How much is it going to cost? We'll pay the fine.”
— Anonymous NBA Team (Bobby Marks)
What’s next
The NBA is expected to consider implementing stricter penalties for tanking, such as taking away draft picks or other resources from teams that engage in the practice.
The takeaway
This revelation highlights the need for the NBA to find more effective deterrents for tanking, as the current fines are not enough to dissuade some billionaire team owners from prioritizing the chance to draft top prospects over the integrity of the league and the experience of their fans.
