Sportsfrog.com

Very interesting article courtesy of the Old Grey Lady that claims that “white referees called fouls at a greater rate against black players than against white players” and vice versa for black referees. This is the result of a study coming out of The University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.

The NBA received an early draft of the study, did its own study, and shockingly found that no bias exists at all. Three independent experts, including Wages of Wins author and bloggist David Berri, reviewed both studies and determined that the original study was far superior. Which should surprise no one, as the Ivy League is to research what the NBA is to, well, basketball.

I’ll be honest that I was somewhat skeptical of how they could measure this, and remain skeptical as to how much it matters. But the notion of measuring subconscious racial bias is interesting. And level-headed people could get together and discuss this issue rationally. But let me save you some time. This is how this plays out:

1. The ESPN Machine runs with it (Tony & Mike give it a minute, The Screaming Heads demand that it be investigated, and The Pompous Reporters wax philosophically about it on Sunday morning while no one watches).

2. The Sharpton/Jackson Campaign gets a lot of airtime on all the CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, BSNBC shows. They make assumptions, they make demands, and they leave.

3. Because it’s primary season - and hey, we have a black contender this time! - reporters shower Obama with questions about the issue. He gives a vanilla response, and Edwards and Hillary issue concerned press releases. The Republicans don’t even bother.

4. Everyone forgets about this for awhile.

5. The report gets issued and gets a little rebound buzz.

6. David Stern issues a statement that the league is concerned about this issue, and is putting together a committee to invesitgate the issue that will inevitably include Bill Russell and/or Walt Frazier.

7. Charles Barkley makes a lot of sense, but is so funny in doing it, that everyone just laughs at him and moves on.

8. The committee reports back to the league that … oh wait, no one cares anymore so the league doesn’t even have to issue the committee’s recommendations. But for PR’s sake, Stern decides to implement a policy that tries to identify quality African-American referees for promotion to the NBA.

9. The right-wingers scream “Quota!” Two days of rightwing talk radio get filled up with this issue.

10. Two-to-three more black refs are hired.

But hey, maybe if Dick Bavetta is out of a job, some good can come out of this after all.

Thanks to Frog all-timer rush2112 for bringing this up in The Swamp.