More damaging to their sport: Vick or NBA ref?

[RhodyYanksFan]

Saw the poll on ESPN.com so I figured I'd try it out here. What scandal is worse for the league it pertains to?

[CallOfTheCrow]

NBA fixing would be more of a "scandal" I think but yeah I choose that.

[DaYanks24]

It definitely has to be the referee fixing games. One player doing terrible things with dogs has nowhere near the effect of a ref possibly tanking the outcome of games for 2 years.

[CallOfTheCrow]

Yup while terrible, Vick's actions have nothing to do with his sport.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

I personally think Vick's actions are worse, but the NFL isn't going to lose much of its fanbase. The NFL has had tons of arrests in the past 5 years and it really hasn't hurt business

[Dannman103]

Obvoiusly, what Vick is being accused of doing is a far worse act, but in terms of how it affects the legitimacy of the league itself, I'd say the NBA ref thing is potentially far more damaging...it just leads to more questions about other refs, and makes people wonder whether or not they can truly believe that they are making fair, unbiased calls

[OxDiesel]

I voted Donaghy -- the key word is most damaging to the SPORT.

As despicable as Vick has shown himself to be, there is nothing sports fans take more seriously than what they think is the integrity of the game they are watching. Messing with that is the absolute worst thing an involved party can do. If you disagree, ask the families of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson how those opinions have affected their lives.

[jimmyclark]

I say Vick. What he allegedly did to dogs is beyond the pale where as point shaving or even fixing games is wrong but not life threatening. My family had dogs when I was growing up. People like Vick would not hesitate to steal your family pet, tie him up so he couldn't defend himself and let their fighting dogs rip him to shred. If Vick and his associates are guilty, they should be thrown in a cell and left to rot.

[yankeesAZ]

Not even close. A ref fixing games is way more damaging to its sport. The NFL will be just fine with or without Vick.

[xenochimera]

ah but if the dog fights were fixed?? didnt think of that now did ya...

[ShaneTravis]

You can get rid of Vick. Fixing games would have to be researched and the sport itself will have many games in doubt. Did the guy ref any playoff games? If so there will be hell to pay.

[BonusCantos]

Vick's scandal involves inhumanity outside of the sport. The NBA scandal involves fixing the games themselves. Therefore, true to the question, the NBA scandal is more damaging to the sport. Vick's scandal is damaging to Vick and whatever others are involved.

[NYYRules#1]

While Vick is disgusting and his action are far worse than Donaghy's, as they were actually inflicting pain and torture on innocent animals, it's not like the credibility or integrity of the NFL are at stake here. The NBA for the past two or more years is now under completely scrutiny, as are other referees (rightly or wrongly, it's obvious that people will question the integrity of other refs as well).

[JeffWeaverFan]

I say Vick. What he allegedly did to dogs is beyond the pale where as point shaving or even fixing games is wrong but not life threatening. My family had dogs when I was growing up. People like Vick would not hesitate to steal your family pet, tie him up so he couldn't defend himself and let their fighting dogs rip him to shred. If Vick and his associates are guilty, they should be thrown in a cell and left to rot.

Maybe what he actually did was worse because it was a disgusting and all that, but what actually is more damaging to their sport? It's not even close. Michael Vick is a player that is a POS in the NFL. He can be kicked out and that's that. Fixing games ruins the integrity of the entire NBA.

[tdel23]

The NBA scandel by far.