04-05-2021, 08:40 AM
Having been an official for a sport (a very long time ago) I'm going to go against the grain on this topic. I find it very hard to believe refs have any intent other than to call the game the best they can. There were coaches and teams I really didn't like for one reason or another but it never crossed my mind to make a call based on that.
At this level the refs' careers are on the line. They are constantly reviewed and evaluated. With all the cameras nothing is going to be missed.
I understand the big differential in fouls called on teams might imply something nefarious is going on. I understand fouls apparently called in some situations and not other similar situations might be viewed as suspicious. I just don't believe the refs are intentionally making calls for reasons other than doing the best they can do.
Maybe someday some start-up company coming out of Stanford will develop a system of machine vision to call the game taking away the human (imperfect) factor.
At this level the refs' careers are on the line. They are constantly reviewed and evaluated. With all the cameras nothing is going to be missed.
I understand the big differential in fouls called on teams might imply something nefarious is going on. I understand fouls apparently called in some situations and not other similar situations might be viewed as suspicious. I just don't believe the refs are intentionally making calls for reasons other than doing the best they can do.
Maybe someday some start-up company coming out of Stanford will develop a system of machine vision to call the game taking away the human (imperfect) factor.