The 10 Most Ridiculous Sports Scandals

From the NFL to the Winter Olympics, sports scandals can shock the world and make huge headlines. What controversies have been the most ridiculous? Here are 10 unbelievable stories that sports fans won’t soon forget. 

10. Tom Brady and Deflategate

NFL rules state that the footballs must have between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds of air pressure. While quarterbacks have preferences on inflation, the weight must stay the same. One of the most significant sports controversies arose in 2015 following the postseason. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was in one of the NFL’s most significant sports controversies. 

The Indianapolis Colts alleged that the Patriots had underinflated the football selection to give Brady an advantage. At halftime during the AFC Championship Game, referees found multiple balls under the NFL’s minimum air pressure requirement. Who manipulated the footballs? After an investigation, the NFL suspended Brady for the first four games of the 2016 season. 

9. NASCAR and the Infamous Spingate

With one race before the postseason, NASCAR Cup Series teams jockeyed for position at the Richmond International Raceway. Four-time champion Jeff Gordon appeared on his way to a Chase for the Sprint Cup berth until Clint Bowyer spun out to cause a caution. While Bowyer claimed he had a flat tire, he was evidently manipulating the race. 

Bowyer’s caution gave teammate Martin Truex Jr. another chance to make the playoffs. With Ryan Newman no longer in the lead, Truex Jr. could sneak his way in. After an investigation, NASCAR leveraged significant penalties for Michael Waltrip Racing and replaced Truex Jr. from the playoffs with Gordon. In the same race, Front Row Motorsports conspired to help Joey Logano secure his playoff spot. 

8. Tim Donaghy and NBA Betting

In a perfect world, referees would be like robots without human emotions and biases. However, reality has demonstrated otherwise, with Tim Donaghy being a notorious example. The former NBA referee embroiled the league in one of the worst sports scandals in history. Investigations revealed that Donaghy had bet on games he officiated. 

Donaghy was among the NBA’s best referees but soiled his reputation in 2005. The Pennsylvania native worked with James Battista, who used to own a bar in the Philadelphia suburb of Haverton. Donaghy fed information and bets to Battista, who would place bets on NBA games. He was initially only a small part of a crime investigation. However, Donaghy ended up in prison and served 15 months. 

7. Barry Bonds and the Steroid Era

From the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, steroid use in Major League Baseball (MLB) was among the most significant sports controversies. Numerous star players faced accusations of taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), though the most scrutinized may have been Barry Bonds. The San Francisco Giants outfielder has the most home runs in NBA history, but fans heavily criticize him. 

The scandal started in 2003 when a grand jury indicted his trainer for providing anabolic steroids to pro athletes. While Bonds wasn’t the only recipient, he was the most prominent player. The outfielder’s body noticeably changed, so people accused him of using PEDs. Ultimately, the evidence showed Bonds used steroids. Without PEDs, Bonds could have been in GOAT conversations for the modern era. 

6. Renault at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix

Racecar drivers are supposed to prioritize themselves, though they can assist their teammates. Like NASCAR, the help can go overboard and can cause sports scandals. In 2008, the Formula 1 season had four races to go when it arrived for the Singapore Grand Prix. On just the 15th lap of the race, Nelson Piquet Jr. intentionally crashed to help his Renault teammate, Fernando Alonso. 

Why would he do it so early? His crash brought out the safety car and put Alonso in the lead, considering others had to make pit stops. Alonso never looked back and won the Singapore Grand Prix, thus improving his title hopes. In 2009, Piquet Jr. accused his former Renault team of telling him to crash, prompting investigations and suspensions. 

5. Tiger Woods and Infidelity Accusations

Tiger Woods was on top of the golf world for just over a decade. The California native won the Masters Tournament and PGA Championship four times, cementing his legacy in the sport. However, his world turned upside down in late 2009 around Thanksgiving. Reports arose of Woods having an extramarital affair, followed by his late-night car accident. 

News outlets published more extramarital affair stories after the November incident, leading to sponsors dropping him en masse. He missed part of the PGA Tour schedule in 2010, though he did return for the Masters Tournament. Woods’ golf performance declined, and he wouldn’t win another major tournament until 2019. He’s yet to retire, but the golf prodigy has never been the same. 

4. Lance Armstrong and Doping Allegations

Lance Armstrong’s young cycling career and life were in jeopardy in 1996. The Texas athlete was diagnosed with metastatic testicular cancer, though he recovered and returned to competition. Armstrong had a historic run between 1998 and 2005 when he won seven Tour de France championships. There was only one problem — doping. 

Armstrong faced doping allegations dating back to his 1999 Tour de France win. However, he faced formal accusations from federal authorities, leading to widespread condemnation. The formerly legendary cyclist lost all his sponsors and faced a lifetime ban from professional racing. Investigations unveiled a significant doping ring that included his former trainers.

3. Russian Athletes and Olympic Bans

When you perform at the Olympics, you want to showcase your best skills and represent your country. That said, you can’t use PEDs to improve your gymnastics, powerlifting or other prestigious sports. Russian athletes have faced doping allegations for over four decades, especially at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Now, the country isn’t allowed to compete. 

In 2010, Russian track runner Yuliya Stepanova told the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) about her country’s widespread doping scandal. By late 2014, a documentary uncovered the state-sponsored system for doping in nearly every Olympic sport. 2016 was the last time Russia represented itself in the Olympics due to the sports scandals and the invasion of Ukraine. 

2. The Chicago White Sox and the 1919 World Series

The Chicago White Sox won its fifth pennant since the American League was founded 18 years prior in 1901. Could they win the franchise’s third World Series trophy? Chicago should have won against the Cincinnati Reds, but they mysteriously lost in a massive upset. As it turned out, the team faced accusations of throwing the games in exchange for cash from a gambling syndicate. 

Considering the franchise’s reputation for underpaying the roster, the White Sox players were unhappy about their wages. In response, a handful of players took under-the-table money in exchange for throwing the championship series. Despite a court’s acquittal, the National Baseball Commission banned all eight players involved and ensured they couldn’t enter the Baseball Hall of Fame.  

1. Figure Skating and the 1994 Winter Olympics

Of all sports scandals, the most ridiculous occurred just before the 1994 Winter Olympics. Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding were America’s best figure skaters and headed to the Olympiad in Lillehammer, Norway. In January, just before the U.S. Championships, Kerrigan was assaulted and too injured to compete. The attack wasn’t a coincidence — it was a set up to help Harding. 

Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, followed Kerrigan after practice and struck her leg with a telescopic baton. The injury caused severe bruises and controversies in one of the most popular winter sports. Harding won the U.S. Championship in January, but officials removed her gold medal. Kerrigan returned for the Olympics and won a silver medal, whereas Harding didn’t place.

Sports Scandals That Shocked the World

When you’re a kid, your parents and coaches tell you never to cheat. While most people follow the rules, some bad apples cause significant sports controversies. These scandals draw international attention and unwanted news. With a shadow over the league, fans question the integrity of championships and gold medals. Some incidents are downright ridiculous and entirely preventable.