From Jordan to Ali: These are the five biggest conspiracy theories in sports

The sports world has always been a fertile ground for various conspiracy theories, and the development of the Internet has opened up additional space for their development. Many major sports competitions carry the title of dubious or controversial, and these are some of the most hyped.

1. Michael Jordan retired in 1993 due to a gambling suspension

Proponents of this theory see the link in what it is NBA league only a few months after retirement Michaela Jordana launched an investigation into his gambling habits. They see an additional contribution to that theory in the fact that Jordan said at the press conference that he would return to the NBA if “David Stern let him back into the league”. Stern was then the chief commissioner of the world’s biggest basketball league.

Photo: Supplied by LMK/IPA

However, the question arises as to why the league would give up its biggest star and most popular player for two years. In that case, the NBA would also be at a loss, so a more likely explanation for Jordan’s retirement is simply being fed up and looking for a new challenge.

2. Muhammad Ali knocks out Sonny Liston with a “phantom” punch

The fight for the world heavyweight champion in 1965 between Muhammad Ali i Sonja Liston is one of the most controversial boxing matches of all time. Namely, a theory has been developed that says that the duel was fixed, and as proof of that, theorists see a delay in Liston’s fall after Ali’s punch. Also, Ali did not immediately retreat to a neutral corner, and Liston “staggered” after the blow only after some time. The referee stopped the fight, and the official measure time he said he counted down Liston.

However, when the video of the knockout is viewed in slow motion, it is evident that Ali’s right hand hits Liston before he even swings a left that goes through the air. There was a blow that caused the fall, so it’s not a wordč about “phantom”, moreć about the right shot.

Foto: Niall Carson/PRESS ASSOCIATION

3. The NFL covered up the Patriots’ spying on the Rams before the Super Bowl

New England Patriotsi they have been caught spying before New York Jetsaand the theory that the New England Patriots were spying St. Louis Ramsay before the final Super Bowl In 2001, it was supported by a Boston Herald report. Bill Belichick and his team were accused of spying, and the league’s destruction of the tapes fueled the theory, writes Business Insider.

Photo: David Butler II/REUTERS

However, the Boston Herald later retracted its reports, and the recordings that were submitted NFL-u they ultimately did not include any descriptions of Rams for consideration. Considering that one tape is moreć leaked, it’s more likely that the league didn’t want to allow more footage to leak, so they simply destroyed it.

4. The New Zealand rugby team was poisoned before the 1995 World Cup final.

The New Zealanders were big favorites in the final match against Južand Africabut in the end they lost to the hosts. Before the match, several players from New Zealandand after the game their coach mentioned “the waitress Suzie”, because of which the poisoning happened.

However, the day before the game, the New Zealand players were partying and consuming questionable drinks, so they were not ready for the game, while the waitress Suzie was not a real person at all, admitted one of the coaches.

5. The NBA set up the NBA draft for Cleveland after LeBron signed with Miami

After it is LeBron James went to Miami Heat 2010 and formed a trio with Chris Bosh i Dwyaneom Wadeomconspiracy theorists have developed a theory that the NBA league Cleveland Cavaliersima rigged the draft lottery to make it easier to handle big losses. The Cavs won the “lottery” (the right to the first pick) in the 2011 draft, then in 2013 and 2014 and selected Kyriea Irvinga.

Foto: Isaiah J. Downing/REUTERS

However, it is not a surprise that the Cavaliers got the opportunity to pick first in the draft. She only had a better chance than them Minnesota Timberwolvesand the NBA system is complicated anyway so that the worst team gets the best position in the draft.

While some see various agreements, setups, conspiracies and cheating in everything, others believe that there is a rational and just explanation for everything. In the middle are those who believe that there are agreements and arrangements, but that not everything is a conspiracy and that there is honesty. Which side you are on, we leave it up to you to judge…