Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has offered an unambiguous stance on the issue of tanking in the NBA, sharply criticizing the practice and its impact on the league’s competitive integrity. In comments this week, Ishbia called tanking “a losing behavior done by losers” and went so far as to describe it as “much worse than any prop bet scandal,” underscoring how seriously he views deliberate losing.
Tanking, a term widely used around the league, refers to teams intentionally fielding less competitive lineups or not prioritizing wins in the short term in hopes of improving their position in the draft order and acquiring higher-value young talent. While league rules, including the draft lottery system, have been adjusted over the years in an attempt to reduce incentives to lose on purpose, the topic remains a recurring point of debate among team executives, players, and fans.
Ishbia’s remarks add a strong ownership voice to that ongoing conversation. Since taking control of the Suns, he has consistently emphasized a win-now, highly competitive approach, investing heavily in star players and veteran talent to keep Phoenix in contention. His latest comments suggest he views organizational culture and a commitment to competing at a high level every night as central pillars of how he believes an NBA franchise should be run.
By labeling tanking as a behavior that reflects poorly on those who engage in it, Ishbia is making a broader statement about leadership standards and accountability across the league. He drew a direct comparison to recent integrity-related controversies, arguing that deliberately losing games for strategic benefit undermines the essence of competition in a way he considers especially harmful. His view places the responsibility squarely on franchises to prioritize honest competition over draft-position calculations.
Ishbia’s stance is likely to resonate with some around the NBA who are concerned about fan perception, locker room culture, and the message sent to players when an organization shifts its focus away from winning. At the same time, it may renew discussion about whether the league’s current rules and incentives do enough to discourage tanking or whether further reforms are necessary.
Although Ishbia did not outline specific policy proposals in these remarks, his forceful language signals that at least one high-profile owner wants the NBA to continue addressing the issue. For Suns supporters, his comments reinforce the organization’s commitment to competing hard throughout the season, regardless of circumstance, and to defining success by on-court results rather than draft odds or long-term positioning. As the debate around tanking persists, Ishbia’s viewpoint adds another clear and outspoken perspective to a complex league-wide issue.
