NBA, NFL Urged to Eliminate Tanking Incentives

Experts say the only way to ensure full integrity of games is to revolutionize the draft order system.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the league's longstanding tanking problem, where teams intentionally lose games to secure better draft positions. Sports analysts argue the only way to fully align incentives and prevent tanking in both the NBA and NFL is to overhaul the draft order system, either by making it a full lottery or tying the top picks to Super Bowl performance.

Why it matters

Tanking undermines the integrity of professional sports leagues, as teams prioritize securing better draft positions over actually trying to win games. This is especially problematic in an era of legalized sports gambling, where the incentive to manipulate game outcomes is high.

The details

In the NFL, teams have been accused of shelving their best players late in the season to improve their draft position, such as the Raiders reportedly shutting down key players Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers in 2025. Experts say any system that ties draft order to team performance will incentivize tanking, and the only solutions are a full draft lottery or linking top picks to Super Bowl performance.

  • In the final weeks of the 2025 NFL season, the Raiders reportedly shut down their best players to improve their draft position.
  • On February 15, 2026, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the league's longstanding tanking problem.

The players

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner who acknowledged the league's tanking problem.

Maxx Crosby

A defensive end for the Raiders who was reportedly shut down late in the 2025 season to improve the team's draft position.

Brock Bowers

A tight end for the Raiders who was reportedly shut down late in the 2025 season to improve the team's draft position.

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What’s next

Experts suggest the NBA and NFL consider implementing a full draft lottery or linking top picks to Super Bowl performance in order to remove the incentive for teams to intentionally lose games.

The takeaway

Tanking undermines the integrity of professional sports, and the only way to truly address the issue is for the leagues to overhaul their draft order systems to remove any incentive for teams to prioritize securing better draft positions over actually trying to win games.