{"id":876,"date":"2022-10-19T09:16:06","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T13:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportspoll\/?p=876"},"modified":"2022-10-19T09:16:06","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T13:16:06","slug":"american-public-favors-code-of-conduct-for-nba-owners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/sportspoll\/2022\/10\/19\/american-public-favors-code-of-conduct-for-nba-owners\/","title":{"rendered":"American Public Favors Code of Conduct for NBA Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Majority of fans say $10 million fine and one year suspension \u201cstrong enough\u201d for Phoenix Suns owner; By 3 to 1 say Paypal should be able to walk away from sponsorship<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"South Orange, NJ October 19, 2022 \u2013 With Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver under fire following revelations of racist language as well as inappropriate, \u201csex-related\u201d comments and \u201cinequitable treatment of women,\u201d 75 percent of sports fans believe that a code of conduct for owners should be adopted, just as there is one for NBA players.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Should NBA owners be subject to a specific code of conduct like the NBA players?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n73%<\/td>\n75%<\/td>\n69%<\/td>\n77%<\/td>\n75%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No<\/strong><\/td>\n13%<\/td>\n14%<\/td>\n12%<\/td>\n13%<\/td>\n14%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n14%<\/td>\n11%<\/td>\n19%<\/td>\n10%<\/td>\n11%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was among the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted last week among 1,579 adults across the country. The poll, featured a national representative sample weighted on U.S. Census Bureau figures for gender, age, ethnicity, education, income and geography and has a margin of error of +\/- 2.5 percent.<\/p>\n

When asked who should compose such a code and to \u201ccheck all that apply,\u201d 57 percent of sports fans chose \u201can independent third party,\u201d 32 percent said \u201cNBA owners,\u201d 24 percent said the players and 11 percent said Congress.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If there were to be an NBA owners code of conduct, who should be responsible for writing it? Please select all that apply.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

NBA Players<\/strong><\/td>\n20%<\/td>\n24%<\/td>\n14%<\/td>\n34%<\/td>\n19%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NBA Owners<\/strong><\/td>\n26%<\/td>\n32%<\/td>\n19%<\/td>\n39%<\/td>\n28%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Congress<\/strong><\/td>\n9%<\/td>\n11%<\/td>\n6%<\/td>\n16%<\/td>\n8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
An independent third-party<\/strong><\/td>\n55%<\/td>\n57%<\/td>\n53%<\/td>\n53%<\/td>\n59%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n19%<\/td>\n11%<\/td>\n29%<\/td>\n7%<\/td>\n13%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

\u201cFor as long as anyone can remember, players have been subject to a code of conduct and the \u2018conduct detrimental to the integrity of the game and league\u2019 clause,\u201d said Professor Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management within Seton Hall\u2019s Stillman School of Business, which sponsors the Poll. \u201cThe NBA functions as a profit share model with players essentially having an equitable stake in the teams and the league. The overwhelming majority of sports fans understand that what\u2019s good for the goose is good for the gander \u2013 especially if they\u2019re in business together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is a $10 Million Fine and One Year Suspension Enough for Robert Sarver?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Asked if the $10 million fine imposed on Sarver was strong enough punishment for his conduct, 51 percent of sports fans said it was with only 31 percent saying it was not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Robert Sarver $10 million dollars and suspended him from all NBA activities and associations for 1 year. Was this punishment strong enough? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n45%<\/td>\n51%<\/td>\n37%<\/td>\n54%<\/td>\n49%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No<\/strong><\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n31%<\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n33%<\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n25%<\/td>\n18%<\/td>\n33%<\/td>\n13%<\/td>\n21%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

The fine was the largest in NBA history and the maximum that a commissioner could impose. But sports fans responding to the poll said, by a 57-29 percent margin, that owners should potentially be subjected to greater punishment.<\/p>\n


\nUnder the bylaws of the NBA, this is the maximum fine the and the longest suspension an NBA commissioner can hand out to an owner. Should owners be subjected to greater punishments? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n47%<\/td>\n52%<\/td>\n41%<\/td>\n56%<\/td>\n50%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No<\/strong><\/td>\n26%<\/td>\n29%<\/td>\n21%<\/td>\n26%<\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n27%<\/td>\n19%<\/td>\n38%<\/td>\n18%<\/td>\n20%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Should Sarver Be Forced to Sell? And Should He Keep the Profits?
\n<\/strong>Asked if Sarver should be forced to sell his team(s), avid fans said yes by a 55-29 percent margin, while sports fans in total said yes by 41-35 percent. The general public said yes by only a 35-33 percent margin with 32 percent at \u2018don\u2019t know\/no opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Should Robert Sarver be forced to sell the team?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n35%<\/td>\n41%<\/td>\n28%<\/td>\n55%<\/td>\n35%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No<\/strong><\/td>\n33%<\/td>\n35%<\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n29%<\/td>\n37%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n32%<\/td>\n24%<\/td>\n42%<\/td>\n16%<\/td>\n28%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite the support for the fine levied against Sarver for his behavior, all groups widely agreed that he should be allowed to keep the profits from a sale, with sports fans saying yes by 52-27 percent.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sports journalists estimate that the sale of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury will generate $500 million or more in profit for Robert Sarver given his initial investment of the teams. Should Robert Sarver be allowed to keep the profits from the sale in light of his documented misconduct?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n45%<\/td>\n52%<\/td>\n36%<\/td>\n56%<\/td>\n50%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No<\/strong><\/td>\n28%<\/td>\n27%<\/td>\n29%<\/td>\n27%<\/td>\n27%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n27%<\/td>\n21%<\/td>\n35%<\/td>\n17%<\/td>\n23%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Should PayPal Be Able to Walk Away from its Sponsorship Deal?<\/strong>
\nAsked if PayPal should be allowed to end their sponsorship agreement with the Phoenix Suns and the Mercury, a wide majority said they should, with sports fans saying yes by 65-21 percent.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Should PayPal be allowed to end their sponsorship agreement early?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n60%<\/td>\n65%<\/td>\n55%<\/td>\n66%<\/td>\n63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No<\/strong><\/td>\n21%<\/td>\n21%<\/td>\n21%<\/td>\n23%<\/td>\n20%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n19%<\/td>\n24%<\/td>\n24%<\/td>\n11%<\/td>\n17%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

By a similar margin, people felt sponsors should have a clause in their agreements that allows them to walk away from deals if the team or its personnel engage in conduct they don\u2019t agree with.<\/p>\n

Should all NBA league and team sponsorship agreements have a clause enabling either party to walk away if the team or person they are sponsoring engages in conduct they don\u2019t agree with?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
N=1,579<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

General<\/p>\n

Population<\/td>\n

Sports<\/p>\n

Fan*<\/td>\n

Non Fan<\/td>\nAvid<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n

Casual<\/p>\n

Fan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n62%<\/td>\n67%<\/td>\n56%<\/td>\n69%<\/td>\n66%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No<\/strong><\/td>\n16%<\/td>\n17%<\/td>\n15%<\/td>\n16%<\/td>\n17%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t know\/No opinion<\/strong><\/td>\n22%<\/td>\n16%<\/td>\n29%<\/td>\n15%<\/td>\n17%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Sports Fan = Avid + Casual fans<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBrands pay sports teams in sponsorship deals for an association that is positive,\u201d said Seton Hall Marketing Professor Daniel Ladik, who is chief methodologist for the poll. \u201cWhat happens when brands break bad? The public seems to understand that a contract that doesn\u2019t deliver what was bargained for is essentially null and void.\u201d<\/p>\n

#\u00a0\u00a0 #\u00a0\u00a0 #<\/p>\n

Charted questions below.<\/p>\n

ABOUT THE POLL<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been conducted regularly since 2006.Recently chosen for inclusion in\u00a0iPoll by Cornell’s Roper Center for Public Opinion Research,its findings have been published everywhere from USA Today, ESPN,\u00a0The New York Times, Washington Post, AP, and Reuters to Fox News and most points in between.<\/p>\n

This poll was conducted by telephone February 25-27 among adults in the United States. The Seton Hall Sports Poll is conducted by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard landline and cell phones.\u00a0 The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.<\/p>\n

Media: Marty Appel,\u00a0AppelPR@gmail.com<\/a>;
\nMichael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall
\nmichael.ricciardelli@shu.edu<\/a>,\u00a0908-447-3034<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

October 2022 Poll Results FINAL<\/strong><\/p>\n

This SHSP was conducted October 7th<\/sup> through October 11th<\/sup> and includes responses from 1,579 US adults with a margin of error of 2.5%. The sample mirrors the US Census percentages on age, gender, income, education, ethnicity, and region. <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q1.<\/strong> Which of the following statements best describes you?<\/p>\n