SPT 600 Management of Sport Opportunity

Module Six Short Paper

April Rambo

Southern New Hampshire University

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Common Problem

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL) both have been

involved in a cheating scandal. Cheating allegations cause a concern to how fair a game is and

the integrity of the game. Cheating can cause bitterness among fans as well.

During the American League Championship Series in 2019, New York Yankees heard

whistling coming from their opponent’s dugout, the Houston Astros. The Yankees questioned the

whistling and according to claims, it had something to do with sign stealing. A full-scale

investigation then took place.

The New England Patriots of the NFL did get caught for videotaping the New York Jets’

defensive coaches’ signals back in September of 2007 (A&E, 2021). This called a lot into

question about the Patriots organization. This scandal then became and is known for being called

‘Spygate’.

Decision-Making Style

“The largest sign-stealing scandal in the history of baseball, a game that for more than a

century treated the dark arts of cheating with a wink and a nod, began with Major League

Baseball embracing technology” (Verducci, 2020). A challenge-based replay system placed

monitors near dugouts that had a live feed. According to “Major League Baseball’s report is that

its investigation found the Astros used their replay room and video monitor improperly

throughout the postseason in 2017, when Houston won the World Series” (Verducci. 2020).

When the first allegation of illegal sign stealing was made, more players and teams began to

come forth and to the allegations. A former Astros pitcher did come forth and that was when the

only option was to open an investigation into these allegations.

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Data-driven was the decision-making style the MLB during the process. The data-driven

style formulates decisions based on hard data. The time is taken to do the proper and thorough

research then the necessary next steps are determined. This allegation needed to be thorough, and

all the information was needed before a decision was to be made. As in all other investigations,

MLB conducted interviews and watched innumerable hours of videos that could demonstrate a

pattern.

The New England Patriots organization had a cheating scandal as well. They were caught

recording the New York Jets defensive coach’s’ signals from an unauthorized location during a

September 2007 game (A&E, 2021). Autocratic decision-making style was used by the NFL.

Autocratic decision-making involves the leader maintaining control of and responsibility for the

decision. There was not an instant investigation, it was finally addressed in April of 2008.

Commissioner Roger Goodell handed out the punishment.

Approach

MLB approached the situation the right way. After the investigation was completed, MLB

did suspend the Astros manager, AJ Hinch, and the general manager Jeff Luhnow, both in which

were fired shortly afterwards (Press, 2022). The Astros organization was also stripped of first and

second round draft picks for 2020 and 2021 and was also fined $5 million.

The NFL approached the situation methodically, and the Patriots admitted wrongdoing

about a week after the investigation had begun. Roger Goodell, the commissioner handed out the

punishment before the investigation was completed. He also ordered for all evidence of cheating

to be destroyed. “The NFL docked Belichick the maximum amount under NLF bylaws

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($50,000), fined the Patriots organization $250,000 and took away a 2008 first-round draft pick.

No one was suspended” (Bernstein, 2020).

Results

MLB over NFL. From the way MLB handled the investigation all the way down to the

punishment. MLB made their stance known and also made it clear that these actions will be not

tolerated. MLB took their time to gather all the information needed to come to a clear result.

The NFL lacked attention, as mentioned the cheating scandal was not addressed until

April of 2008 when the situation occurred in September of 2007. They moved hastily and

showed a lack of concern. The penalty was known as non-existent.

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References:

YouTube. (2012). YouTube. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiB9L3dG-Aw.

Bernstein, D. (n.d.). A timeline of patriots scandals: Spygate, Deflategate and other
controversial incidents under Bill Belichick. Sporting News. Retrieved October 2, 2022,
from https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/patriots-spygate-deflategate-bill-
belichick-timeline/ovkdjh8ny5qb1fnns9grat5mk

Verducci, T. (2020, January 13). Why MLB issued historic punishment to astros for sign stealing.
Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 2, 2022, from
https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/01/13/houston-astros-cheating-punishment

A&E Television Networks. (2021, September 1). NFL Nabs New England Patriots in ‘Spygate’
scandal. History.com. Retrieved October 2, 2022, from https://www.history.com/this-day-
in-history/spygate-nfl-scandals-patriots

Press, A. (2022, April 27). Leading off: Marlins’ López Sharp, Braves’ rosario out. KSAT.
Retrieved October 2, 2022, from https://www.ksat.com/sports/2022/04/26/leading-off-
marlins-lopez-sharp-braves-rosario-out/

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