NBA Refs Suck…. and they’re racist too!
2 05 2007NEW YORK — An academic study of NBA officiating found that white referees called fouls at a greater rate against black players than against white players, The New York Times reported on its Web site Tuesday night.
The study by a University of Pennsylvania assistant professor and Cornell graduate student also found that black officials called fouls more frequently against white players than black, but noted that that tendency was not as pronounced.
Justin Wolfers, an assistant professor of business and public policy at Penn’s Wharton School, and Joseph Price, a Cornell graduate student in economics, said the difference in calls “is large enough that the probability of a team winning is noticeably affected by the racial composition of the refereeing crew.”
The study, conducted over a 13-season span through 2004, found that the racial makeup of a three-man officiating crew affected calls by up to 4½ percent.
I call Bullshit!
Maybe they should try to take into account the skill level of the individual player in their formula, who made the call, was the moon full, was the tide in or out and who was bangin’ Brittney Spears that week, day or minute!?
The only reason this is being discussed is because racism sells!