Who is the person most likely to commit sports fraud? Is there an established profile? A race or religion or gender? What do the studies say and what have I learned after speaking to audiences for more than 25 years?
The answer, as you may suspect, is that no profile exists. Virtually anyone, from the character in the school mascot suit to the athletic director or team doctor for that matter, can commit fraud. Indeed, in recent sports history there has been a mascot who sold drugs (what a cover!) to AD’s who turned their backs on fraudulent activities to the Larry Nassar’s of the world who were serial sexual-abusers.
There is no “color-line” for fraud nor religion nor sexual orientation nor age. Anyone in a program or conference, team or league is a potential fraudster. It is why teaching only one segment of an overall program is risky. The 117-pound, 48-year old assistant is every bit to be tempted to commit fraud as the 255-pound tight end. In fact, the athlete often has more to lose.
The Commonalities
In order for fraud or scandal to exist, there are but three common elements: a lack of oversight; a need and rationalization. The lack of oversight could be anything from sharing/injecting PEDs in the stall of a locker room to an admin siphoning off funds from a concession. The need might range from a desire to be stronger or faster or more ripped to power or wealth or importance. Rationalization is truly anything the miscreant wants it to be; “I am tired of begging for crumbs while some kid in an NIL deal is getting $5 million,” or “The government has all this money and I deserve my cut,” to “The SOB was asking for it, and I made sure (they) got it.”
Unless ethical behavior is taught and unless ethical behavior is reinforced, scandal or fraud are likely to occur.
As a sports ethics keynote speaker and sports ethics consultant, I know it is not a matter of who is likely to commit fraud or abuse or bullying or racism or homophobic behavior, but when.
Who is the person most likely to commit sports fraud? The person next to you or over there or sometimes it could be you. We are here to help. Call us: (828) 244-1400
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