NBA Cracks Down on Tanking as Betting Partnerships Raise Integrity Concerns

League fines Jazz and Pacers for sitting healthy players, but critics question if the real motive is to appease sports betting partners

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The NBA has taken a harder stance against tanking, with commissioner Adam Silver levying fines against the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players. While tanking has been a part of the league's culture for decades, the rise of sports betting partnerships has raised concerns about the integrity of the game. Critics argue the crackdown may be less about protecting fans and more about appeasing the league's betting partners, whose business models thrive on fan misery.

Why it matters

Tanking has long been a controversial but common practice in the NBA, with teams intentionally losing games to improve their draft position. However, the NBA's new partnerships with online betting companies have added a new layer of complexity, as the league must now balance fan interests with the demands of its business partners. The fines against the Jazz and Pacers suggest the league is willing to take a harder stance on tanking, but the motivations behind this crackdown are being questioned.

The details

The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 for sitting healthy players, a practice known as tanking that has become increasingly common as teams try to improve their draft position. Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league is exploring "every possible remedy" to stop this behavior, which he sees as a threat to the integrity of the game. Critics argue that the league's newfound partnerships with online betting companies like FanDuel and DraftKings may be a driving factor behind the crackdown, as the betting companies' business models rely on fan engagement and unpredictable outcomes.

  • On February 14, 2026, NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the media during the NBA All-Star weekend.
  • On December 16, 2025, Adam Silver held a news conference ahead of the NBA Cup championship game in Las Vegas.

The players

Adam Silver

The commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA), who has taken a public stance against tanking and is exploring ways to curb the practice.

Anthony Edwards

A star player who was selected first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, representing the type of elite prospect that has made tanking an attractive strategy for some teams.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.