Part 7/9:
The Bigger Picture: Acknowledging the Role of Sports Betting
One prevailing theory about why the narrative of rigged games continues to hold water is the growth of the sports gambling industry. With billions of dollars at stake, some believe that the league has a financial incentive to promote certain outcomes. The logic implies that by creating compelling matchups and maintaining the relevancy of star players, the NFL stands to profit significantly from bets.
However, critics highlight the complexity of this argument. Since sports betting odds typically favor the team perceived as more likely to win, it wouldn’t make fiscal sense for sportsbooks to rig games in favor of the Chiefs, especially when the team has consistently opened as a favorite.