5 Sports Conspiracy Theories | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

5 Athletic Conspiracy Theories That Are Total Home Runs, If They're For Real

The man, the myth, the legend...the baseball player?

244
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arioprabantoro/5104498026/in/photolist-8M4TqE-5BrT86-6nzx7m-5ZFqiK-2K5Yag-73T9BP-ap6B73-gbyPAT-4hwEDe-8M4Rt7-FYVu4p-6nzxb1-27rJT9-doQ4KK-2ZBNcd-32qzej-8J1FNG-8J1Hdh-g2cG5q-m7r4CF-7px5e7-8cGX5e-mtuuPE-jzvFxS-mtsUXJ-2ttr8j-4zGbFv-8tGLRG-qhBQhm-4FpgkZ-a9Z43-7wFHPn-vFMoQ5-eMogRW-bkg6EB-bkg6MF-mryDkS-6vX7JH-73X5Pw-dVFD7Z-dVFD1n-dVMyqQ-bEB9JE-75pWH8-EXNPM-NQtQeX-NV1KW7-NQtSmn-NvDSdj-NQtPHg

It's time to change up the usually haunted places and conspiracy theories surrounding those that I usually write about. This time, we are diving into famous sports conspiracy theories. So get your sports cap on, pals.

1. Michael Jordan's first retirement 

Michael Jordan, the man, the myth, the legend has been declared one of the greatest basketball players. He led the Bulls to six championships in two different sets of three-peats. Jordan was no stranger to controversies during his career.

The biggest controversies surrounding him was his gambling addiction. The NBA launched an investigation after the Bulls won their third championship. And around four months later, he unexpectedly retiring.

But, was he forced too by David Stern to protect the NBA's and Jordan's image? Theorists believe it was the NBA's way of covering up his problems so it wouldn't ruin their image. Jordan even mentioned in an interview, that he might come back in they would let him when no such question asked about his return.

Jordan did make his return to basketball in 1995 and went on to win three more championships in a row with the Bulls.

Why did Jordan really retire? Did he retire to fulfill his father's wish of him wanting to play baseball or was it because the NBA was trying to keep a clean image?

2. NBA rigged the 1985 NBA Draft 

Patrick Ewing was one of the top picks for the 1985 draft. And many believe Commissioner David Stern and the NBA rigged the draft lottery so the New York Knicks could pick first because they were needing a center player.

The theory surrounds the envelope with the Knicks name it. Ewing was fresh out of college and a top choice after having a successful career with Georgetown. The Knicks were struggling, the NBA was losing attendance, along with money problems and a cocaine problem where the league had to suspend 23 teams.

Many started to speculate that the envelope with the Knicks name in it was picked on purpose. Bill Simmons theory says the Knicks envelope was banged against the side of glass drum which folded the corner of the envelope so Stern would pick it.

Another theory says the Knicks envelope was placed in a freezer before the lottery to make it easy for Stern to know which one is the Knicks.

Where the Knicks chosen on purpose for first pick in the draft because of how bad the Knicks were and the NBA was desperate to help them? Or was it just pure luck?


3. Roger Goodell caused the Super Bowl Blackout 

Back in 2013, the lights at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisana suddenly went out in the third quarter. The Ravens were up 28-6 but the 49ers closed the gap to 28-23. But some believe the blackout was not caused by a power failure, but by someone else.

Ravens linebacker Terrel Suggs said the blackout was a ploy caused by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Suggs believes Goodell did not want the Ravens to have a landslide of a win.

4. Muhammad Ali's phantom punch 

On May 25th, 1965 Muhammad Ali would beat Sonny Liston to reclaim his world heavyweight title. It took Ali one minute and forty-four seconds to defeat Liston. The punch Ali threw, knocked Liston on his back, roll over to his front and tried to stand but failed.

Ali's punch became known as the "Phantom Punch" since it happened so fast. It was like the speed lightening, it happened so fast if you blinked you missed it.

But, was Ali's punch that brutal or did Ali just wear down Liston to take home the belt?

5. NHL rigged the 2005 Draft 

The Pittsburgh Penguins were bankrupt and their franchise was still in trouble. Then in the 2005 NHL draft, the team won the lottery draft for Sidney Crosby. one of the best players in the Hockey League and an agreement to build a new arena.

But, did the NHL rig it in favor for the Penguins to come back out on top?

The sports world has more underlying problems than what the people in charge of the Leagues and media want us to know. But one thing is for sure, there will never be a dull moment surrounding anything in sports.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193415
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16771
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459290
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27431
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments